"Reaching TRL-6 is the culmination of TEAM TSAT's three-year effort and validates Boeing's extensive risk reduction efforts," said Howard Chambers, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "This broad technology maturity, combined with our customer's block development approach, means TSAT is optimally positioned to move into production."

Working with the U.S. Air Force and independent agencies, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory, TEAM TSAT reached another key milestone on the path to flight with the successful demonstrations necessary for TRL-6.

Critical components reaching the TRL-6 level or greater include the TSAT laser communications system's telescope, optical bench and communications electronics; the Next-Generation Processor Router technologies for packet processing, based on Boeing-built systems already on-orbit; the antenna hardware, which includes the critical Communications-on-the-Move antenna that enables warfighter mobility; and the bandwidth allocation and protected waveform technologies.

TEAM TSAT also reduced information assurance risks for Internet protocol and transmission security, achieving the TRL-6+ level. Key enabling technologies found in the ground gateway and Data Processing Center, developed on internal research and development investments by Boeing, Harris and SAIC, also have attained TRL-6.

Boeing's TEAM TSAT consists of Cisco Systems, Hughes, IBM, Harris Corp., Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp., LGS Innovations, Raytheon, General Dynamics C4S, L-3 Communications, BBN Technologies, EMS Technologies and SAIC. Under Boeing's leadership, the team submitted its proposal July 30, and the contract award is anticipated by the end of 2007.

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