Despite no immediate indication of an emerging security threat, Brazil has been building up its defenses to modernize and replace obsolete equipment. Brazil has announced plans to prepare its military for a wider and more challenging role on shared international borders and to protect offshore petrochemical installations.

Harris RF Communications won the order for the delivery of additional Falcon III tactical communication systems, which comprise RF-7800V VHF vehicular radio systems and RF-7800S UHF secure personal radios for soldiers and other security personnel.

The contract involves the supply of radios to the Brazilian army´s center for communications and electronic warfare.

Both the RF-7800V and RF-7800S systems are essential to the army's modernization program, as they will provide secure voice and high-bandwidth data applications, including video combat chat.

The equipment promises to furnish Brazilian armed forces with end-to-end solutions that address requirements for real-time, mission-critical information on the battlefield. In Brazil's case, that's likely to be mostly cross-border drug and people traffic.

The company expects to begin conducting final assembly of the RF-7800S and RF-7800V systems at an existing manufacturing facility in Brazil.

The RF-7800V system can be used in tanks, transport and other vehicles and delivers range, data speeds and throughput that Harris claims are unmatched by any other combat net radio on the market.

The RF-7800S is a wide-band networking radio designed for the emerging demands for voice, data and situational awareness at the soldier level.

"The RF-7800V and RF-7800S will provide Brazil's army with secure voice and high-bandwidth data applications such as video combat chat," Harris RF Communications Regional Managing Director Julio Villafane said.

The RF-7800S is a lightweight soldier system radio that offers full-duplex voice, dual push-to-talk capabilities and data rates up to 256 kilobytes per second. The radio allows simultaneous communication for voice, data and video with listeners over a range of more than 1.2 miles.

Optimized for maximum performance across highly variable environments, the personal role radio provides continuous coverage in the 350-450 MHz frequency range. Harris says it has been adopted as the standardized personal radio platform for multiple soldier modernization programs around the world.

Harris RF Communications has headquarters in Melbourne, Fla., serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. It reported about $6 billion of annual revenue and 17,000 employees worldwide.

]]> Thu, 09 FEB 2012 09:07:15 AEST Herndon VA (SPX) Jan 25, 2012 - The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for its Design and Engineering Support Program (DESP III). Northrop Grumman is one of 26 companies to receive awards under the contract, which has an overall ceiling valued at $1.9 billion.

The DESP III contract is specifically established with Air Force Material Command, but it may be used by all Department of Defense (DoD) agencies.

"Our sustained performance and innovative logistics coupled with more than 20 years of supporting earlier versions of this contract were paramount in our selection for one of the DESP III awards," said David Gustafson, DESP III program manager, Northrop Grumman Technical Services.

"DoD and our nation's warfighters will now continue to have a partner with the highest level of integrity committed to unparalleled performance in keeping our nation's weapon systems mission-ready."

Under the DESP III contract, Northrop Grumman will compete for individual task orders focused on improving life cycle costs, operational life, performance and sustainment of DoD weapon systems. The contract vehicle has a seven year period of performance.

"Our heritage with supplier and subcontractor management across many -programs - to include those at our logistics and sustainment centers of excellence supporting the three Air Force logistics centers - strategically positions us to better partner with our customer," said John Parker, director, global logistics and modernization, Northrop Grumman Technical Services.

"Worldwide missions demand worldwide support, and we're standing by to carry out these DoD missions whenever and where ever."

]]> Thu, 09 FEB 2012 09:07:15 AEST Cape Canaveral, FL (SPX) Jan 20, 2012 - Boeing has received the first on-orbit signals from the fourth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite it is delivering to the U.S. Air Force. The signals indicate that WGS-4, the first in the Block II series, is healthy and ready to begin orbital maneuvers and operational testing.

WGS-4 launched on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV vehicle Thursday evening at 7:38 p.m. Eastern time from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Controllers confirmed initial contact with the spacecraft 58 minutes later at 8:36 p.m. Eastern time at a ground station in Dongara, Australia. Boeing's Mission Control Center in El Segundo, Calif., confirmed that the satellite is functioning normally.

"WGS-4 continues Boeing's commitment of supporting the Air Force's mission of delivering critical communications to warfighters," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems.

"The company will remain focused, committed and dedicated to this mission as we continue to build the WGS series of satellites."

Following a sequence of orbital maneuvers and on-orbit tests, WGS-4 will be placed into geosynchronous Earth orbit.

The satellite joins WGS-1, which entered service over the Pacific Ocean in April 2008; WGS-2, which began operations over the Middle East in August 2009; and WGS-3, which entered service over the Atlantic Ocean in June 2010.

Together, the four WGS satellites will provide assured access to high-data-rate, jam-resistant communications for U.S. forces and allies around the world.

The Block II series includes additional capabilities, such as a new radio frequency bypass that supports the transmission of airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance imagery at data rates approximately three times greater than those currently available on Block I satellites.

All WGS satellites are built on the proven Boeing 702HP platform, which features highly efficient xenon-ion propulsion, deployable thermal radiators and advanced triple-junction gallium-arsenide solar arrays that enable high-capacity, flexible payloads.

The WGS communications payload has unique flexibility that is important to the military, as well as the ability to interconnect terminals that operate in different frequency bands and to reposition coverage beams based on evolving mission needs.

WGS supports missions including tactical communications to and between ground forces, and relaying data and imagery from airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms.

]]> Thu, 09 FEB 2012 09:07:15 AEST El Segundo, CA (SPX) Jan 20, 2012 - Boeing has received authorization from the U.S. Air Force to produce and launch the eighth and ninth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellites. The WGS-9 authorization and the WGS-8 production option, which was authorized last month, have a combined value of $673 million and are part of the $1.09 billion contract modification announced by the Air Force in September 2011.

"With these options exercised, we are able to expand the WGS constellation and provide communications resiliency for combatant commanders worldwide," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems.

"This will give warfighters the ability to ensure that vital communication links are available at all times, even in the event that one or more critical nodes are disabled."

WGS-8 and -9 will join four other satellites that are part of the Block II series. Block II adds a switchable radio frequency bypass that enables the transmission of airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance imagery at data rates approximately three times greater than the rates available on Block I satellites.

WGS-9 is being funded through a cooperative agreement that the U.S. Air Force has forged with Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and New Zealand. This expands the WGS international partnership beyond WGS-6, which was funded by the Australian government in 2008.

"International participation in WGS is a win-win arrangement on many levels," said Cooning. "Use of common SATCOM systems provides communications interoperability between allied forces.

"For the U.S. military, the partners bring additional funding to expand the constellation and make it more resilient. And for a relatively modest investment, international partners receive immediate access to worldwide services that they might not otherwise be able to obtain."

WGS satellites are built on the proven Boeing 702HP platform, which features highly efficient xenon-ion propulsion, deployable thermal radiators, and advanced triple-junction gallium-arsenide solar arrays that enable high-capacity, flexible payloads.

The WGS communications payload has unique flexibility that is important to the military, as well as the ability to interconnect terminals that operate in different frequency bands and to reposition coverage beams based on evolving mission needs.

WGS supports missions including tactical communications to and between ground forces, and relaying data and imagery from airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms.

]]> Thu, 09 FEB 2012 09:07:15 AEST El Segundo, CA (SPX) Jan 19, 2012 - Boeing has announced that the fourth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite the company is delivering to the U.S. Air Force has successfully completed prelaunch testing and is ready for launch.

WGS-4, the first spacecraft in the program's upgraded Block II series, is scheduled to launch at 7:38 p.m. Eastern time on Jan. 19 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

The Block II satellites (WGS 4-6) add a switchable radio frequency bypass that supports the transmission of airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance imagery at data rates approximately three times greater than those currently available on Block I satellites.

"This launch will be another important step in advancing communications capabilities for U.S. warfighters and allies around the world," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems.

"When it enters service, WGS-4 will join three other WGS satellites that deliver critical communications to help warfighters execute missions with greater safety and efficiency."

Boeing built and tested the WGS-4 spacecraft at its manufacturing facility in El Segundo. Upon arrival at Cape Canaveral on Nov. 15, the satellite was moved into a processing facility to complete a series of prelaunch tests that validated the satellite's operational readiness, including its ability to communicate with the ground control segment and launch site.

Boeing has delivered three WGS satellites and is under contract for six more, including WGS-4. They are built on the proven Boeing 702HP platform, which features highly efficient xenon-ion propulsion, deployable thermal radiators, and advanced triple-junction gallium-arsenide solar arrays that enable high-capacity, flexible payloads.

The WGS communications payload has unique flexibility that is important to the military, as well as the ability to interconnect terminals that operate in different frequency bands and to reposition coverage beams based on evolving mission needs.

WGS supports missions ranging from tactical communications to and between ground forces, to relaying data and imagery from airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms.

]]> Thu, 09 FEB 2012 09:07:15 AEST Marlborough, MA (SPX) Jan 17, 2012 - Raytheon's Mobile Ad hoc Interoperability Network GATEway (MAINGATE) radio system successfully provided tactical networking capabilities at two major U.S. Army exercises, giving soldiers reliable battlefield information.

During the recent Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE) at Fort Benning, Ga., MAINGATE provided the backbone for wideband networking. It also successfully performed as an alternative to the cancelled Ground Mobile Radio program during the Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) at Fort Bliss, Texas.

During the testing, MAINGATE simultaneously provided multiple channels of real-time video, situational awareness, chat and other applications.

Soldiers at the squad level reliably received multiple unmanned aerial vehicle video feeds and other high-bandwidth data services from the battalion to the tactical edge.

MAINGATE provided needed capacity for reliable connectivity among cellular networks, hand-held radios and the Warfighter Information Network - Tactical (WIN-T) system. It also allowed soldiers to integrate information across battle command systems and sensors.

"During the entire AEWE event, Raytheon's network provided the Experimental Force soldiers with a very reliable high-speed backbone that did not require any soldier or field representative intervention," said Harry Lubin, chief of the Experimentation Branch at Fort Benning's Maneuver Battle Lab.

"It just worked the whole time, allowing us to focus on the soldier technologies," he added.

MAINGATE is comprised of a high-throughput radio that uses the Next Generation Mobile Ad Hoc Networking Waveform and a gateway that enables seamless battlefield connectivity. MAINGATE is a mature, off-the-shelf system in production today, with more than 100 units currently deployed in theater.

The non-proprietary waveform provided 10 times more network capacity and supported four times more nodes than competing radios at the NIE. And, it exceeds wideband networking requirements in the upcoming Mid-Tier Networking Vehicular Radio solicitation.

"Giving our soldiers that added edge is a critical feature of MAINGATE," said Scott Whatmough, vice president of Integrated Communication Systems for Raytheon's Network Centric Systems business.

"We filled a gap no one else can fill today," he added. "We look forward to continuing our participation in the next NIE phase, 12.2, to build on our Internet protocol-based networking experience to deliver the most advanced networks at a much lower cost than other systems in development today."

]]> Thu, 09 FEB 2012 09:07:15 AEST Marlborough, MA (SPX) Dec 21, 2011 - Raytheon has successfully tested with the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite that will provide secure communications for the U.S. military and international partners.

Raytheon's U.S. Navy Multiband Terminal (NMT) is the second operationally fielded terminal to interoperate with an on-orbit AEHF satellite after the recent success of the company's U.S. Army Secure Mobile Anti-jam Reliable Tactical Terminal (SMART-T).

The first AEHF satellite, launched in August 2010, recently began an extensive set of operational tests.

NMT demonstrated interoperable communications using the AEHF satellite's eXtended Data Rate (XDR) waveform, moving data more than five times faster than previous EHF systems.

In addition, it demonstrated backward compatibility to low and medium data rate operation supported by earlier EHF satellites on the new AEHF satellite.

NMT is in production and fielded, and like the Army's SMART-T system, ready to support U.S. armed services with the latest protected satellite communication waveform requirements when testing is complete.

"This increased capability will give the Navy more mission flexibility and significantly increased capacity to provide protected voice, data and video communications supporting strategic and tactical missions," said Scott Whatmough, vice president of Raytheon Network Centric Systems' Integrated Communication Systems business.

"Our continued success in this on-orbit testing of AEHF demonstrates our ability to deliver complex EHF and AEHF terminals to the Army, Navy and Air Force.

"They are ready for immediate deployment in support of our operational forces upon transfer of satellite command authority from the Space and Missile Systems Center to the 14th Air Force in early 2012," he added.

Raytheon will field 308 AEHF NMT terminals to the U.S. armed services.

The NMT system incorporates Raytheon's new XDR waveform hardware and software, a complex technological breakthrough in protected communications. XDR provides users with increased bandwidth and speed, enabling strategic and tactical military communications.

]]> Thu, 09 FEB 2012 09:07:15 AEST Fort Wayne, IN (SPX) Dec 20, 2011 - Northrop Grumman and ITT Exelis have teamed to compete for the U.S. Army's new vehicle-mounted, software-defined radio. The Army issued a draft request for proposal on Nov. 4, for the Mid-Tier Networking Vehicular Radio (MNVR), which replaces the canceled Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Ground Mobile Radio.

If selected for the MNVR program, Northrop Grumman will lead the team and provide its Freedom 350 multifunction radio system. Exelis will support radio development, manufacturing, vehicle installation and integration, and logistical support services.

"The innovation and expertise of both companies set this team apart as a formidable force in the MNVR competition," said Claude Hashem, vice president of the Network Communication Systems business at Northrop Grumman's Information Systems sector.

"Northrop Grumman pioneered software-defined radio technology, has expertise in more than 50 waveforms and functions used on advanced networks and applications, and is a recognized leader in the design of open architecture systems and network management solutions.

"Exelis brings unparalleled radio technology experience and proven design, manufacturing and integration expertise having developed the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System with more than 550,000 fielded and the JTRS Soldier Radio Waveform," Hashem said.

"This team brings together the synergy of two powerhouses in the communications market with extensive experience in high performance networking radio design, waveform integration, vehicular system integration and affordability through world-class manufacturing," said Ken Peterman, president of Exelis' Communications and Forces Protection Systems business.

The Northrop Grumman-Exelis radio system will provide mobile Internet-like voice, data and video capabilities, connecting warfighters in on-the-move tactical platforms with each other and back to command centers.

It is interoperable with other radios and uses multiple waveforms, including the Soldier Radio Waveform and Wideband Networking Waveform.

Northrop Grumman developed the two-channel, full-duplex Freedom 350 radio based on more than 20 years of experience designing integrated communications, navigation and identification radio systems for aircraft.

The radio uses a low-cost open architecture designed to have minimal impact in terms of size, weight and power on aircraft and vehicles.

]]> Thu, 09 FEB 2012 09:07:15 AEST Sunnyvale CA (SPX) Dec 19, 2011 - Lockheed Martin delivered the U.S. Navy's first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., on December 15, where it will be prepared for a Feb. 16, 2012 liftoff aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle.

The MUOS constellation is a next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system that will augment and replace the legacy Ultra High Frequency Follow-On system, providing significantly improved and assured communications for the mobile warfighter.

The MUOS satellite will now undergo post shipment testing, fueling, payload fairing encapsulation, and mate atop the Atlas V launch vehicle in preparation for launch.

"MUOS will greatly enhance the capabilities of the warfighter to communicate on the move," said Mark Pasquale, Lockheed Martin vice president and MUOS program manager.

"The system will provide military users 16 times the communications capacity of existing satellites, including simultaneous voice, video and data capability enhancements and we look forward to achieving mission success for our customer."

MUOS consists of four geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites with an additional on-orbit spare, and a fiber optic terrestrial network connecting four ground stations around the globe.

Each satellite will feature two payloads that enable the system to integrate with the existing architecture while upgrading military users to the new wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system.

Utilizing the latest commercial advances in 3G cell phone and satellite technology, MUOS will provide mobile warfighters point-to-point and netted communications services at enhanced data rates and priority-based access to on-demand voice, video and data transfers.

As the first MUOS satellite prepares for launch, the Lockheed Martin team continues to make significant progress on the subsequent satellites.

The second MUOS space vehicle is currently undergoing environmental testing which will validate its performance in a simulated space environment. The third and fourth MUOS satellites are also steadily progressing in the production flow.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., the MUOS prime contractor and system integrator, is leading a team that includes General Dynamics C4 Systems, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Boeing Defense, Space and Security, El Segundo, Calif.

The Navy's Program Executive Office for Space Systems, Chantilly, Va., and its Navy Communications Satellite Program Office, San Diego, Calif., are responsible for the MUOS program.

]]> Thu, 09 FEB 2012 09:07:15 AEST Ottawa, Canada (SPX) Dec 09, 2011 - Track24 has won a contract to supply the Canadian government with short burst data (SBD) services from Iridium Communications Inc., operator of the world's furthest reaching communications network. The contract was awarded in response to the growing requirement for secure satellite data communications, for military and government organizations, that have beyond line-of-sight capability gaps.

Track24 will deliver Iridium SBD-based devices, airtime and support under the contract which is designed to connect assets in ways never before possible, as well as minimise procurement costs and delays.

It was issued by Shared Services Canada (SSC), and allows Canada's government departments and agencies to deal directly with Track24's subject matter experts, without having to undergo expensive procurement processes for every instance in which they require the same technology and service.

Director of Canadian satellite services at Track24, Giles Peeters, notes: "Government departments often need innovative, high-value satellite services at short notice. We are able to use our vast experience to provide secure, reliable solutions to help user communities function in a controlled, safe and effective manner.

"Track24 is an established satellite technology enabler that uses Iridium's services in its satellite tracking risk management solutions and its blue force tracking defence sector solutions.

Iridium is the only company that provides true global coverage with its low Earth orbiting satellite constellation, and is established in the community as a leading carrier with best-in-class solutions." Iridium's SBD service transmits messages in small data packets via its satellite network in 20 seconds or less.

Pat Shay, VP and general manager of data services at Iridium comments on the contract award: "Track24 is an important, long-standing member of the Iridium partner ecosystem and has successfully employed our global data capabilities in a number of its tracking solutions.

"We will continue to provide Track24 with our full support and expertise in order to help the Canadian government realise the enormous potential offered by Track24's technology, combined with our unique communications services."

Peeters concludes: "The need for satellite services in military, security or even high risk commercial situations is obvious, as it is a low-cost, highly-reliable and secure way of communicating and transmitting data, regardless of global positioning and availability of GSM networks.

"We are already talking orders with a number of government departments across Canada who will capitalise on the benefits that these satellite solutions can provide."

]]> Thu, 09 FEB 2012 09:07:15 AEST Subscribe to our daily selection of space, military, environment and energy newsletters responseText http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=0016gbbKsaiGSpQFojVO8ZoHw%3D%3D