Data Bytes
Written by /Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
ViaSat and the Army have extended the Vehicular Blue Force Tracking 2 (BFT2) demonstration with successful Army Aviation BFT2 demonstrations aboard a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. The new ViaSat ArcLight BFT2 satellite communication network delivered 122 kilobits per second of IP traffic to ground terminals over an Inmarsat I4 satellite channel, compared to the 5.2 kilobits per second performance of the current BFT system. Days later at Fort Eustis, Va., ViaSat completed a number of successful demonstrations of the aviation version of the BFT2 terminal on a Blackhawk helicopter maneuvering at speeds of up to 150 knots. The ability to achieve both higher data throughput and support helicopter flight dynamics improves the mission utility of the BFT2 system.
Armed forces use Blue Force Tracking to view regularly updated troop positions on screens in their vehicles and aircraft to differentiate between friendly and enemy forces. Because missions like those in Iraq and Afghanistan require units to operate in dispersed locations, the range of terrestrial radio-based systems can be insufficient. The next-generation ViaSat BFT2 satellite network, developed for the Army under contract with Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, provides IP data delivery that is faster than the current BFT system, allowing a higher position refresh rate that can update as often as once every two seconds.
Vehicular Communications Systems Aid Tactical Air Control
BAE Systems has received a $120 million contract to equip up to 400 Air Force ground vehicles with improved voice and data communications. These capabilities will enable Air Force tactical air controllers to advise ground commanders and coordinate aircraft operations. The program is a component of the Air Force’s Tactical Air Control Party Modernization (TACP-M) program. Under the contract, which has a maximum potential value of $233 million, BAE Systems will design, produce and install the TACP-M’s Vehicular Communications System (VCS). The VCS will provide mobile voice and data communications for Air Force tactical air control parties to operate effectively throughout the battle space. TACPs advise ground commanders and staff on aerospace power capabilities and assist in planning close-air-support operations using vehicle-mounted communications systems, manpack radios and digital communications devices. Use of different communications systems by groundforce units and among a variety of aircraft and command and control nodes requires that the VCS support multiple waveforms and data protocols.
Decision Environment Offers Capability-Based Scenario Analysis
The Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization has awarded a task order to Pragmatics under the ENCORE II multiple award indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contract. Pragmatics will help to move the Capability-based Decision Support Environment (C-DSE) from a pilot stage to an operational capability to provide a national strategic level of cross-agency capability portfolio management for investment decision analysis and support across common mission areas for senior leaders. The C-DSE combines enterprise architecture data with mission, performance, budget and technology data to provide capability-based scenario analysis and decision support for government agencies and departments including the departments of Defense, State and Homeland Security, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the unified combatant commands. The services the Pragmatics team will provide include updates to the senior leadership command, control and communications overarching architecture views; a demonstration pilot of applied information economics; and assistance with preparation and submission of the DoD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process for C-DSE. The Pragmatics team members include Planview, Hubbard Decision Research and JC3 Global.
Infrastructure Upgrades Bring Converged Communications
Verizon Business will bring the benefits of converged Internet Protocol communications to five Army sites by upgrading their communications infrastructure. The estimated value of the projects is about $70.7 million. Through task orders awarded under the Installation, Information, Infrastructure Modernization (IMOD) contract on behalf of the Project Manager for Network Services Center (NSC), which is under the Program Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems (PEO EIS), Verizon Business is implementing upgrades at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.; the Fort Greely, Range Operations Center and the Cold Regions Test Center in Alaska; Fort Lee, Va.; Fort Sill, Okla.; and Kwajalein Atoll/Kwajalein Missile Range. The IMOD contract was awarded in 2006 to Verizon Business and other prime contractors, which then bid on individual task orders. The IMOD program is designed to update the fiber-optic cable, data and voice communications at major Army posts and installations, integrating voice, data, cable plant and transmissions products. The program is valued at $4 billion over 10 years.
Navy Funds Development of Information Fusion Technology
The Navy has awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems a contract for research, development and operation of information fusion (IF) as it relates to the Information Fusion Center established by the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division to support Navy, Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security operations. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract has a maximum potential value to General Dynamics of $95.2 million. IF is the process of correlating data from multiple sources to derive information of enhanced value to users. Efforts under this contract will include research and development, integration and testing, continual advancement and operation of the Information Fusion Center; training for newly developed software, hardware and other products; and independent verification and validation of sensors and systems relating to critical infrastructure protection and force protection. General Dynamics will leverage its Quarterback Information Fusion capability and team members’ fusion expertise for each task. Quarterback is an IF system with a service-oriented architecture designed for the “plug and play” addition of fusion services.
Air Force Seeks Automated Aerial Refueling for UAVs
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has awarded an industry team led by Boeing a four-year contract worth $49 million to continue developing technology that will enable a UAV to autonomously rendezvous with a tanker aircraft and refuel. Under phase II of the Automated Aerial Refueling (AAR) program, the industry team will coordinate flight tests that will include autonomous multiship operations and the actual delivery of fuel to a manned surrogate UAV. During Phase I of the AAR program, a Boeing-led government/industry team demonstrated that a single UAV could safely maneuver among seven refueling positions behind a tanker aircraft, and conduct a breakaway maneuver. Phase II will be divided into two parts, or spirals. During spiral 1, the team will work collaboratively to design, build and integrate a multichannel Precision Global Positioning System-based navigation system, an automated flight control system, and AAR-specific command and control system components to accomplish boom and receptacle aerial refueling testing to be conducted by AFRL.
Digital Intercom System Links Vehicular Crew Members
Harris has introduced the Falcon RF-7800I Tactical Intercom System, a modular platform for in-vehicle voice and data communication, tactical network connectivity, and battle management system interoperability. This new digital intercom system provides voice and data connectivity among vehicle crew members, while also creating a network backbone that centralizes access to and control of all vehicular communication systems. The RF-7800I features a modular, customizable architecture designed to adapt to specific vehicle configurations or mission requirements. The system’s capabilities range from voiceonly communication among vehicle crew members, to voice and data networking that is interoperable with the full family of Harris Falcon tactical radios. This networking feature allows crew members to communicate with dismounted personnel, and other vehicles or command centers via HF, VHF, UHF, multiband and BGAN (broadband global area network) satellite communications technology.
High-Capacity System Leverages Existing Blue Force Tracking Technology
Comtech Mobile Datacom has launched its next-generation Blue Force Tracking High Capacity (BFT-HC) solution for satellite-enhanced asset tracking and secure mobile data communications. Developed to meet the Army’s demanding requirements for its next generation mobile tracking system, BFT-HC ensures the seamless flow of information across the battlespace, giving soldiers timely access to critical information when and where it is needed the most. Comtech’s BFT-HC mobile tracking solution delivers superior performance through its three core components: Advanced Software Defined Radio transceivers, improved ground station equipment featuring Adaptive Multiuser Detection signal processing technology, and enhancements to the company’s battle-proven satellite communications network. Comtech’s BFT-HC solution frees the Army from pressure to immediately replace or retrofit legacy equipment in order to implement tomorrow’s technology today. With BFT-HC, the Army can leverage its existing BFT technology investment, continuing to use its 80,000 plus installed transceivers and world-wide support infrastructure while seamlessly transitioning to the next-generation BFT mobile tracking system. ♦
