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The core structure with an integrated propulsion subsystem for the first satellite in the Navy’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) constellation has been successfully delivered. It is the largest A2100 spacecraft core structure ever built by Lockheed Martin. MUOS will provide significantly improved and assured communications for mobile warfighters. The design features third generation (3G) mobile technology that will deliver simultaneous voice and data services, as well as the ability to increase capacity and features over the life of the program. Users of the current Ultra High Frequency Follow-On system will have improved service and complete interoperability with the MUOS legacy payload, which ensures a smooth transition to the next generation of 3G mobile user equipment. The propulsion subsystem is essential for maneuvering the MUOS satellite during transfer orbit to its final location as well as conducting on-orbit repositioning maneuvers throughout its mission life. The first MUOS satellite, along with the associated ground system, is scheduled for on-orbit hand-over to the Navy in 2010. The Lockheed Martin-led team, which includes General Dynamics C4 Systems and Boeing Satellite Systems, is under contract to design, build and deploy the first two MUOS satellites and the associated MUOS ground system. The Navy’s Program Executive Office for Space Systems and its Communications Satellite Program Office are responsible for the MUOS program. The contract also provides for options on three additional spacecraft.

AKO/DKO Portal Scores One Billionth Logon

The Army Knowledge Online/Defense Knowledge Online (AKO/DKO) Program Office recently achieved a major milestone with the one billionth logon to the AKO/DKO portal. AKO/DKO is a partnership between Northrop Grumman and the Army providing a single enterprise service portal, serving as the entry point for all Department of Defense and authorized users to access DoD and government intranets supporting operations, missions and critical support processes for forces worldwide. Factoring into the meteoric rise from 61,000 users in June 2000 to more than two million today was the joining of forces between AKO and the Defense Information Systems Agency’s Net-Centric Enterprise Services unit to create a portal that is the preferred source of information among the services within DoD. More than 10 years of proven success and continual improvements factored heavily into the decision to make AKO the baseline technology for DKO, which is a related site tailored specifically for the wider DoD audience that includes all branches of the armed services.

Ethernet Access Solution Prevents Bandwidth Bottlenecks

Nortel and LG-Nortel are introducing a new Ethernet Access solution to help service providers prevent bandwidth bottlenecks in the critical “first mile” of their networks. This will allow for faster and more reliable delivery of data between high-speed core networks and individual user access points. The Ethernet Access technology was developed by LG-Nortel, a joint venture of LG Electronics and Nortel. Designed to clear up first mile network traffic jams caused by bandwidth-hungry applications such as HD video, Nortel’s Ethernet Access solution is one of the industry’s first to use Wave Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Network architecture. This technology makes it possible to divide a single optical fiber into multiple wavelengths, each capable of carrying the same bandwidth that previously required an entire fiber. The approach powers the Internet to ultra-fast speeds to the first mile by giving each user their own wavelength delivering dedicated bandwidth straight to their home or business. The dedicated bandwidth in Nortel’s Ethernet Access solution provides network users with more security over connections, which are always available and never stalled or slowed down by other traffic on the network.

IT Contract Supports Reserve, Guard Mobilization

Apptis has been awarded a five-year, $22 million contract from the Army Program Executive Office, Enterprise Information Systems, and Project Directorate for the Reserve Component Automation System/ Distributive Training Technology Project (RCAS/DTTP). Under the agreement, Apptis and teaming partner Bearing Point will provide ongoing IT program and project management advisory services to ensure the execution, administration and management of day-to-day operations. RCAS and DTTP systems provide the critical infrastructure and software applications necessary for the mobilization and deployment of Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers. The project seeks to sustain and enhance the Army Reserve Component’s ability to achieve interoperability for mobilization planning, training and communications. Apptis will provide project oversight and support for technical programs including quality assurance, configuration management, information assurance, training support, financial analysis and acquisition support and customer relations.

High-Capacity Radios Provide Wireless Battlefield Backbone

Harris has received a series of new orders totaling $6 million from the Department of Defense for its RF-7800W High-Capacity Line-of-Sight radio, a new product that expands the company’s leadership in tactical communications. Harris will deliver RF-7800W radios to the Army for use in a range of missions, including in support of Multi-National Division North Iraq. Separately, the Marine Corps is buying an additional quantity of RF-7800W radios as part of the Wireless Point-to-Point System. These orders represent growing acceptance of the RF-7800W radio, which provides a wireless battlefield backbone capable of transmitting high-speed encrypted IP traffic in high-capacity, line-of-sight applications. The product was successfully deployed and is used by the Army’s 2-25th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, the Marine Corps and several international customers. The RF-7800W enables critical applications such as realtime video transmission, situational awareness traffic, and military voice and data exchange. Designed for network-centric operations, the radios securely transfer encrypted IP traffic over distances greater than 50 kilometers in fixed point-to-point and 20 kilometers in pointto- multipoint configurations, under clear line-of-sight conditions. The RF-7800W provides voice and data transmissions with very low latency and supports power-over-Ethernet for limited cabling and easy deployment.

Encryptor Protects Classified Information Over High-Speed Networks

SafeNet has announced the availability of the KG-340, its Type 1 SONET/ SDH Encryptor for the protection of classified information sent over highspeed U.S. government networks. It is the only encryptor of its kind in existence. Developed under the National Security Agency’s Commercial COMSEC Evaluation Program, the KG-340 is the latest innovation in high-performance transport encryption for optical networks of up to 10 Gbps speeds. Because of its superior security capabilities, the KG-340 is expected to be deployed by the intelligence community, Department of Defense and civilian agencies to protect classified communications traversing the information grid. The KG-340 provides full-duplex hardware-accelerated encryption with HAIPEcompliant key exchange.

Flat Panel Display for Shipboard Environments Meets Military Standards

SAIC has announced the SeaView 57A as the first large display ever to pass an MIL-STD 901D Class I, Type A, Grade A testing. The 57-inch rugged LCD color flat panel display is designed to support mission critical applications in shipboard environments and can now be used in areas essential to the safety and continued combat capability of the ship. The displays are primarily used in mission critical applications, such as command and control, but have the versatility to be incorporated into almost any area of the ship. They are being used/bought by Navy integrators and sold to the Navy in support of surface and submarine ships and Coast Guard cutters. The units feature 1920 by 1080 resolution and remarkable brightness, with wide-angle viewing and no permanent phosphor image burn-in.

Auto Acquisition Terminal Supports Fast Deployment

At MILCOM 2008, Advent will be exhibiting its range of portable flyaway solutions—Summit Flyaway Satellite System, Mantis Integrated Motorized Antenna and Advent FlyDrive with 5000 series electronic subsystems. The Summit is a lightweight auto acquisition terminal, providing a fully integrated and rugged solution for fast deployment satellite communications. Designed to deliver secure, network-centric theatre communications in any environment, irrespective of the conditions, the Summit’s comprehensive facilities include remote Internet and VPN connectivity, as well as high performance video conferencing.

* Compiled by KMI Media Group staff