New Satellite Network To
Support US Forces
Sept 24, 2004: the U.S. Navy selected a team
led by Lockheed Martin, with team members General Dynamics C4
Systems, and Boeing Satellite Systems, to develop and build the
Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), a next-generation narrowband
tactical satellite communications system that will provide
significantly improved and assured communications for the mobile
warfighter.
MUOS will replace the current narrowband tactical satellite
communications system known as the Ultra High Frequency Follow-On
(UFO) system. MUOS satellites will be fully compatible with the
existing UFO system and associated legacy terminals while
dramatically increasing military communications availability and
providing simultaneous voice, data and video in real time to mobile
warfighters around the globe. MUOS will also maximize the full
feature capability of the future Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS)
terminals. The initial phase is expected to cost US$ 2.1 billion,
and include two satellites and associated ground control elements.
The initial satellite will be deployed in space by 2010.
Under the MOUS program, the U.S. Navy Space and Naval Warfare
Systems Command (SPAWAR) has provisions for three additional
spacecraft at a cost of around US $1.1 billion. SPAWAR is operating
on behalf of the Program Executive Office -- Space Systems.
Theater Deployable Communications for the USAF
Sept 24, 2004: Northrop Grumman Corporation has been
awarded a five-year, multi-million dollar contract by the U.S. Air
Force to manufacture and integrate a voice, data and multiplexing
communications infrastructure. The Company received an initial
equipment order for more than $18 million. Designed for deployed
operations, the TDC improves interoperability, increases capacity
and user connections, decreases logistical airlift and footprint
requirements, and provides common, fixed and deployed solutions. By
combining different modules with certain tools in different kits,
operators achieve variability in a mission-focused communications
suite. "TDC provides much-needed flexibility," said Asif Mossa,
site director for the division's Denro Systems business unit. "The
program allows the Air Force to tailor systems to specific needs and
to transport the systems anywhere in the world for military
contingencies."
Optoelectronics To Accelerate
Servers by 2006
Honeywell and SiOptical Inc. announced a
collaboration for the development of a new opto-electronic
processing and communications networking a platform, which will
offer the production of cost effective optoelectronic component by
the end of 2005. New Serializer / Deserializer (SerDes) components
are expected to provide advanced serial architecture for military,
aerospace and commercial high-speed servers of communications
networking systems, and Opto-electronic Application Specific
Integrated Subsystems (OASIS). Such capabilities are required to
support increased data speed and bandwidth requirements.
According to Kal Shastri, SiOptical Chief
Executive Officer, by "monolithically integrating optics with
state-of-the-art commercial Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
(CMOS) technology, bring optics to the same level of integration,
scalability and manufacturability as CMOS technology."
Grenville Hughes, Product Line Manager, Honeywell Defense
Space & Electronic Systems expects that "next-generation
communications systems to significantly exceed performance of
systems with SerDes. This will result in a new, cost effective
optoelectronic component by the end of 2005". Honeywell anticipates
SerDes technology being available in 2005 and OASIS technology in
2006.
US Navy Launch Common System's Diagnostic
Tester
Sept. 24, 2004 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation will
develop a common electronic combat support system that will support
numerous electronic platforms throughout the U.S. military branches
and several NATO coalition partners. The program is managed by the
Naval Air Systems Command. Named Agile Rapid Global Combat Support (ARGCS)
system, the program will support complex avionics and other
electronics on numerous platforms, specifically, the U.S. Navy F-18
and E-2C aircraft; U.S. Army Paladin, Apache helicopter and M-1
battle tank; U.S. Marine Corps light armored vehicles, and U.S. Air
Force F-15 aircraft.
ARGCS diagnostic system will be capable of testing and maintaining
analog, digital and radio frequency assemblies at all levels of the
maintenance cycle. Its modular, lighter and smaller footprint will
support an operational environment and reduce time to repair and
reduce false maintenance actions thereby decreasing manpower and
equipment utilization. The system will implement common testing in
the factory, depot and the field and to improve level of
weapon-system readiness. Interoperability between all of the US
military services and their coalition partners will allow for
unprecedented support to the warfighter.
The company will produce a prototype of the system, during the
current current $26.7 million system development and demonstration
phase. Testing and fielding of the ARGCS is slated to occur from
2006 through 2008.
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