Written by / Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
MIT 2009 Volume: 13 Issue: 10 (November)
NSS-12, a satellite built for SES World Skies, a subsidiary of SES, by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications, is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers. When in-orbit testing is completed, NSS-12 will replace NSS-703 at 57 degrees east longitude, where it will reach an estimated two-thirds of the world’s population. Based on the SS/L 1300 platform, it is the most powerful satellite in the SES fleet, and it will enable communications for telecommunications providers, broadcasters, corporations and governments in four continents. SES World Skies executives said the new unit would allow them to provide seamless continuity and significant incremental capacity at a key orbital location, allowing existing and future customers to introduce new services, expand into new markets and replicate the success of the various video, government and enterprise applications currently transmitted via 57 degrees east. SS/L has three additional SES satellites currently under construction at its Palo Alto, Calif., facility. All three are built using the company’s 1300 platform, which supports a broad range of satellite applications and technology advances. With the launch of NSS-12, there are now 59 Space Systems/Loral satellites currently on orbit.
Automated Lockdown Solution Added to Navy List
Security Blanket, the automated lockdown solution from Trusted Computer Solutions, a developer of cross domain and cyber security solutions, has been added to the Department of Navy’s Application and Database Management System (DADMS) list. The DADMS is the authoritative list of software applications for use within the Navy and Marine Corps. Each application on the DADMS list has been examined and put into compliance with the Navy’s application reduction initiative. Security Blanket is a menu-driven solution with an easy-to-use interface that allows administrators to run predefined profiles that automate industry-standard best practices for hardening Linux and Solaris. The product is also available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 operating systems running on IBM System z hardware. Alternatively, users can customize profiles that support their own security policies. Once a profile is selected, the product quickly assesses the system and provides indicators—pass, fail or not applicable—that show the status of its compliance to an organization’s security guidelines. Following the assessment, the user can instantly configure the operating system to be in full compliance.
In-Line Encryptor Supports Data Distribution Initiative
General Dynamics C4 Systems has been awarded a $7.6 million contract to develop the new KG-530 SONET OC-768C in-line encryptor in support of a National Security Agency initiative to secure and distribute data, at a full 40 Gbps line rate, used for government and military missions. The KG-530 will secure very large image, data and video files, classified up to and including Top Secret, that travel through U.S. military and government networks. Once in place on authorized Synchronous Optical Networks (SONET), users will experience significantly less network delay, or latency, common to securing large information files. With more than 230,000 encryption devices currently used worldwide, General Dynamics information assurance products secure communication and data classified up to and including Top Secret and are compliant with NSA’s High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptor Interoperability Specification and networks including SONET, ATM and Ethernet.
Debbie Cremin:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Manpack Radios Enable Classified Battlefield Communications
Harris Corp. has been awarded a $419 million basic purchasing agreement contract to supply the Army with Falcon III AN/PRC-117G multiband tactical manpack radios and vehicular power-amplifier adapter systems. The initial delivery order under the contract is valued at $165 million for manpack and vehicular radio systems and support services. Radio systems from this order will be deployed by the Army for missions worldwide to provide next-generation, high-speed tactical satellite and voiceand- data communications. The field-proven AN/ PRC-117G manpack radio is about half the size of currently fielded multiband systems and offers an extended frequency range of 30 MHz to 2 GHz. The radio supports requirements such as streaming video, imagery, biometrics, logistics and other data-intensive applications. The AN/PRC-117G is the first JTRS-approved and NSA Type-1 certified manpack radio system. With its fully integrated and NSA-approved High Assurance Internet Protocol Equipment waveform, the AN/PRC-117G manpack interfaces seamlessly to SIPRNet. This capability enables direct classified calls and data exchanges between Pentagon commanders and units at the lowest tactical levels of the battlefield. The radio is Type 1 certified by NSA to carry voice-and-data traffic up to and including Top Secret levels. It’s compliant with the Department of Defense Crypto Modernization Program and uses the Sierra II programmable encryption module.
Media Exploitation Center Probes Battlefield Documents
ManTech International has received the follow-on effort for the IT operations and mission support program from the National Media Exploitation Center (NMEC). The company will provide NMEC with data center operations, network operations, software engineering, systems engineering, information assurance, requirements management, configuration management, and project/program management support. The new, competitively awarded prime contract is valued at $76 million with a base year (nine months) and four option years with a potential to surge 100 percent. ManTech’s team includes several small business teammates as well as SAIC. NMEC is a Director of National Intelligence program with the Defense Intelligence Agency as the executive agent. It requires petabytes of storage and the development of cutting-edge document and media exploitation tools. NMEC’s mission is to exploit documents and electronic media captured on the battlefield to gain insight into adversary intentions and capabilities. ManTech provides day-today operations and maintenance for NMEC’s IT infrastructure, software tools, storage, and Tier I, II, and III desktop and application support.
Agreement Offers Wide Variety of X-Band Satellite Services
CapRock Government Solutions has signed a multi-year, multi-transponder strategic purchase agreement with U.K.-based Paradigm Secure Communications, which owns and operates a fleet of military hardened geosynchronous communications satellites with both X-band and UHF payloads. Although Paradigm has signed on other distributors of capacity on its Skynet 5 satellite fleet, this agreement makes CapRock the company’s first network service provider to the U.S. military and Intelligence community. Access to commercially provided X-band communications has become increasingly important as a means to augment military satellite capabilities, the demand for which continues to outpace supply. With the addition of access to Paradigm’s hardened and protected X-band capacity, CapRock now has the ability to offer a wider variety of X-band services tailored to each unique government requirement. CapRock’s Paradigm-based services are designed for sensitive missions that may require resilient, operationally secure, military-grade solutions. Originally commissioned under contract with the British Ministry of Defence, Paradigm owns and operates a fleet that includes electromagnetic-pulse hardened satellites, built-in anti-jamming capabilities, configurable global and spot beam coverage, and MAC Level I security certification.
David Myers: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Robert S. Twining:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Navy Seeks Advanced Counter-IED Technology
Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded ITT Corp. a $16 million contract to develop next-generation technologies that will defeat IEDs. This award, the Joint Counter Radio- Controlled Electronic Warfare (JCREW) 3.3, builds on ITT’s current work in counter-IED technology, with more than 20,000 JCREW systems designed and built by ITT currently in the field. The contract will fund the first phase of a three-phase system of systems spiral development effort and cover activities through preliminary design review. Under this JCREW 3.3 contract, ITT will support the system development and demonstration phase for mounted, dismounted and fixed site capabilities that that will lead to the Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) system of systems. JCREW 3.3 represents a significant technological advancement in counter-IED defeat systems. This new development represents a change from a component jammer approach to a flexible, open architecture system-of-systems solution. These systems will be adaptively networked, and able to exchange data seamlessly.
Ed Palacio:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Army Orders More Laser Target Locator Modules
The Army Program Executive Office Soldier has selected Northrop Grumman to continue to provide laser target locator modules (LTLMs) under a five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. Northrop Grumman Laser Systems was one of two awardees under the LTLM IDIQ contract, with an award valued at approximately $22 million. The total potential contract value to Northrop Grumman Laser Systems is an estimated $393 million over the life of the IDIQ contract. The LTLM family of handheld laser targeting systems provides full day/night imaging capabilities with accurate target location determination to offer the warfighter critical stand-off range for targeting enemy forces. BAE Systems in August announced a five-year, $347 million contract to produce, maintain, and provide logistical support for 200 digital handheld LTLMs per month for the Army. ♦
