The Boeing team, comprised of leading platform integrators, hardware providers and networking experts, has been awarded a $54 million contract, one of two 15-month Pre-System Development and Demonstration (Pre-SDD) contracts.
This Pre-SDD contract will result in the development of a systems architecture and initial designs for a JTRS supporting airborne, fixed, and maritime platforms.
Once operational, the radios will be integrated into more than 150 airborne, shipboard and fixed station platforms enabling interoperable communication in the joint battlespace environment. The value to L-3 for this Pre-SDD phase is $8 million.
The program will be under joint U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy oversight. Program leadership will rotate between the two services during the acquisition cycle with the Air Force's Electronic Systems Center (ESC) at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. having the initial lead.
The ensuing SDD phase will be full and open competition with contract award anticipated in late 2005.
"The four L-3 divisions on the Boeing team possess a remarkable combination of performance and experience, providing secure communications solutions for a wide array of platforms," said Frank C. Lanza, chairman and chief executive officer of L-3 Communications.
"The synergies provided by these best-in-industry members provide an excellent opportunity for ongoing system development."
L-3 Communications will leverage critical capabilities of four of its divisions in support of the AMF JTRS program. L-3 Communication Systems-West (L-3 CS-West) will provide airborne and platform networking solutions in order to ensure seamless network centric operation in the battlespace, thus increasing the combat effectiveness of current and future JTRS waveforms by making warfighters part of the Global Information Grid (GIG).
L-3 CS-West will also apply their expertise with higher frequency, broadband data link systems to facilitate growth and ensure interoperability with the high bandwidth Multi-Platform Common Data Link and Family of Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals (FAB-T) backbones that connect the battlespace to the GIG.
L-3 CS-West's domain knowledge of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and their communications systems will be used to provide platform integration solutions.
L-3 Communication Systems-East (L-3 CS-East) will provide maritime communication systems integration expertise along with the capability to automate the JTRS operation thereby reducing total cost of ownership through significant reductions in shipboard operational manpower.
In addition, L-3 CS-East will use its expertise to bridge the existing legacy ship communication systems with the network centric JTRS equipment.
An expert in airborne mission communication systems, L-3 Integrated Systems (L-3 IS) will design a gateway linking legacy communications systems to JTRS providing users a seamless migration from existing equipment to the new system.
L-3 IS is also responsible for planning integration of JTRS on several airborne platforms and will provide installation planning support for high-altitude, long-endurance platforms.
L-3 PACORD, a highly experienced installer of weapons and communication systems, will provide installation services for maritime platforms.
The Boeing-led team also includes Rockwell Collins' Government Systems division of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Harris Corporation's RF Communications Division of Rochester, N.Y.; Northrop Grumman Mission Systems sector of Reston, Va.; BBN Technologies of Cambridge, Mass.; and MILCOM Systems Corporation of Virginia Beach, Va. with support from key suppliers.