Written by / Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
Harris has received Type 1 certification from the National Security Agency for its version 2.0 software upgrade to its SecNet 54 secure LAN encryption device. SecNet 54 version 2.0 makes it easier for users to access and transmit classified information over a secure network connection. Software version 2.0 adds significant capabilities to the SecNet 54 device, including full High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryption (HAIPE) 1.3.5 compliance as verified through HAIPE interoperability testing. HAIPE Version 1.3.5 compliance, as well as the introduction of other integrated commercial networking features, including DHCP, VPN, NAT, NAT-T and VLAN support, streamlines the process of establishing Top Secret/SCI secure connections for transmitting IP voice and data. Also, the consolidation of networking features into a single networking device eliminates the need for additional bulky pieces of ancillary hardware in the field. Among the upgrades are new capabilities enabling users to open a secure Type 1 encrypted “tunnel” through existing infrastructure, such as commercial wireless and wired public access points in locations such as hotels and restaurants.
Ground Suites Ordered for Global Broadcast Service
TeleCommunication Systems (TCS) has received a $14.9 million contract order from the Army to provide Transportable Ground Receive Suites and related spare parts to support the Global Broadcast Service (GBS). This award was made under the Army’s $5 billion World-Wide Satellite Systems contract vehicle in support of the program manager for the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical. GBS is a high-speed, one-way satellite data communications broadcast capability that transmits information directly to in-theater warfighters. In support of GBS, the transportable ground receive suites (consisting of a broadcast manager, a next generation receive terminal and cryptographic equipment) substantially enhance the situational awareness capabilities of the Army by extending the real-time tactical content available to its mobile force.
Air Force Funds Electronic Warfare Battle Management Design
The Air Force has awarded Raytheon a $3.5 million Electronic Warfare Battle Management (EWBM) system design contract. Under the award from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Raytheon will spend three years conducting a series of EWBM system experiments and demonstrations in the Air Force Research Laboratory’s virtual combat laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Through these experiments, the Air Force will be able to apply EWBM to a variety of scenarios to determine the best use of electronic warfare assets on the battlefield. Electronic warfare is the use of electronic attack, support and protection during military operations. Battle management focuses on the command and control of forces in the battle area. In joining these two solutions, commanders and warfighters will dramatically improve mission coordination and significantly enhance the common operating picture of the battlefield. Raytheon will work with Sierra Nevada Corp., AEA Technology and Bonn Corp. to provide this solution.
SATCOM Provider Gets New Name
CapRock Communications, a global provider of satellite communications to remote and harsh environments, has changed the name of its federal government division, Arrowhead Global Solutions, to CapRock Government Solutions. Arrowhead was acquired by CapRock Communications in 2007. The name change marks a significant point in the final assimilation and integration of the federal government- focused division into the CapRock corporate structure. Over the past two years, Arrowhead evolved significantly from its entrepreneurial roots, forming a new management team, implementing a visionary long-term strategic plan, and launching a comprehensive value-add product and service portfolio. CapRock’s assets include more than 650 employees around the globe, a self-owned and operated infrastructure with four international teleports, four 24x7 network operation centers, and 11 regional support centers. CapRock has served clients with operations in over 90 countries and across all the world’s oceans.
Order Funds Development of FCS Advanced Collaborative Environment
Alion Science and Technology has been awarded a task order valued at $4.35 million to support the Army Future Combat Systems (FCS) Advanced Collaborative Environment (ACE). FCS is being developed to give the Army a technological edge and make it more effective in today’s demanding environments. The FCS ACE is a secure Web environment in which government and industry participants can collaborate and access product, technical and program management information. Alion will enable the development, operation and maintenance of the FCS ACE. This work includes enterprise architecture analysis and development, business process management and requirements definition.
All-Digital Link-16 Multinet Receiver Prototype Demonstrated
With support from Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) and ViaSat, Hypres has demonstrated the industry’s first all-digital Link-16 multinet receiver prototype. This was the culmination of a multiyear development by the two companies sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. The receiver simultaneously digitized signals from two Link-16 radios operating on two independent Link-16 networks. Link-16 is the primary high-speed, airborne tactical link used by U.S. and coalition forces for situational awareness and information exchange. It is designed to be resistant to electronic countermeasures. Up to now, Link-16 receivers required multiple analog synthesizers to handle the high speed hopping of the Link-16 signal, making performance improvements difficult and systems overly large and expensive. These limitations typically result in only one or two of a possible 127 nets operating at any one time in a theater of operation. Key to the demonstration was the single superconductor analog-to-digital converter chip from Hypres, which was used to directly digitize the entire 969–1206 MHz Link-16 band. All subsequent processing of the signal in the digital domain was handled by ViaSat’s Link-16 baseband processors. The demonstration highlighted the level of integration achieved in hybrid superconductor-semiconductor electronics, where cryogenic and room temperature components are optimized for overall performance.
WIN-T Increment 2 Test Covers Multiple Locations
Soldiers of the Army’s 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division in Fort Lewis, Wash., and 3rd Infantry Division in Fort Stewart, Ga., have completed a limited user test (LUT) of the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) Increment 2, which for the first time delivers on-the-move Internet-like broadband networking capabilities to military units dispersed across wide geographic areas. A General Dynamics-led team supported the testing, during which soldiers from the two units planned and executed multiple missions, sharing command and control information from the command post down to the company level using WIN-T. The military exercises represented the first time that actual soldiers used the WIN-T network across multiple geographic locations. During the LUT, soldiers carried out realistic mission scenarios that tested WIN-T’s ability to support continuous command, control, communications and intelligence functions used by warfighters and commanders during an operation. If deemed successful by the Army’s Evaluation Center, completion of the LUT paves the way for the Army to approve low-rate production of the system. Upon final approval, fielding of the new equipment to the first unit will begin in late 2010. General Dynamics C4 Systems is the prime systems integrator for WIN-T and is teamed with Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Harris, L-3 Communications, Juniper Networks and CISCO Systems.
Multiband Land Mobile Radio Gains Agency Certification
The Liberty multiband land mobile radio (LMR) from Thales Communications has received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification. Having successfully passed all required tests, the Liberty radio is the first FCC-approved multiband radio covering the entire public safety spectrum. The Liberty radio is the first multiband, software-defined LMR designed specifically for government agencies and first responders. The Liberty LMR operates in all modes with full encryption and enables multi-agency communications in all the public safety frequency bands. The Liberty radio works on current analog systems as well as Project 25 trunking systems, regardless of frequency range. Whereas other products need a link to achieve basic system interoperability, the Liberty radio achieves this higher, user-level of interoperability by simply changing channels. The Liberty radio is currently undergoing field testing in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate, under a grant awarded last year. In parallel, operational evaluation by multiple public service agencies in large major metropolitan areas by statewide public service agencies and at federal laboratories is ongoing.
Satellite Capacity Supports Mission- Critical Military Applications
SES Americom-New Skies has announced that DRS Technologies has renewed a major agreement for 160 MHz of satellite capacity and connectivity to support the DRS Technologies Global Communications Network and enable a broad range of mission-critical military applications around the world. As part of the agreement, DRS Technologies is utilizing C-band and Ku-band capacity on 14 beams across four SES Americom-New Skies satellites, as well as uplink services at strategic global teleports and access points to meet the proprietary voice, video and data communications needs of civilian and government agencies and military forces virtually anywhere on the planet. DRS Technologies is also using SES Americom-New Skies satellites to support telemedicine and rural learning programs. ♦
