Military

BAE SYSTEMS takes lead in informational battlefield

11 Dec 2002

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected BAE Systems to lead the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) phase for its Adaptive Joint C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, and Computer, Intelligence and Reconnaissance) Node (AJCN) programme. DARPA budgeted the programme at $60 million over a five-year period.

BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS) in Nashua, New Hampshire, received initial funding of $3.9 million Nov. 25 as prime contractor for the programme. IEWS will provide management and systems engineering leadership and will lead the signals intelligence, electronic attack and systems integration efforts.

AJCN, formerly the Airborne Communications Node, will provide a scaleable, multi-functional, multi-mission communications, SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) and electronic attack payload that can be reconfigured to perform a variety of functions in the same processing hardware. The U.S. Army and Air Force will be key users of the C4ISR node.

"The multi-mission payload will offer the warfighter unique operational capabilities and a decisive edge on future battlefields," said Don Petersen, IEWS program manager for Adaptive Joint C4ISR. "The C4ISR node is designed to operate with U.S. and coalition systems and provide real-time network-centric connectivity," he said.

BAE Systems will design, build and deliver four flyable payloads that provide the warfighter with communications relay and bridging, signals intelligence and electronic attack. Two payloads will be flight-tested on the Army's Hunter Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) and the other two will be flight-tested aboard either an Air Force KC-135 or RC-135 aircraft.

The AJCN multi-mission software framework combines two key software frameworks: The SIGINT Diamond Software Product FamilyTM framework, developed by IEWS, and the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) framework, developed by BAE Systems Communications, Navigation and Identification (CNI) in Wayne, New Jersey.

Under the contract, CNI will be responsible for the communications and information security integration.

Other team-mates include: Northrop Grumman Xetron, Cincinnati, Ohio, providing the RF integration, including co-site interference mitigation; Scientific Research Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia, and Telecordia Technologies, Morristown, New Jersey, providing the networking technologies; and Advanced Power Technology, Incorporated, Washington, D.C., providing the support to interoperability and waveform porting.

AJCN includes the porting and integration of new and legacy JTRS waveforms onto an open architecture multi-mission system. The ACTD program will effectively build a secure and robust communications relay capability on the AJCN. The program combines several key company capabilities including networking, wideband waveforms and software programmable products.

About BAE SYSTEMS:

BAE Systems is a systems company, innovating for a safer world. BAE Systems employs nearly 100,000 people including Joint Ventures, and has annual sales of around 13 billion. The company offers a global capability in air, sea, land and space with a world-class prime contracting ability supported by a range of key skills. BAE Systems designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, guided weapon systems and a range of other defence products. BAE Systems is dedicated to making the intelligent connections needed to deliver innovative solutions.

BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 22,000 Americans who live and work in 29 states and Washington, D.C. The company is dedicated to solving its customers' needs with both highly innovative and leading-edge solutions across the defence electronics, systems, information technology and services arenas.

BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems employs more than 4,800 people at eight major facilities in six states. The business unit is a major producer of aircraft self-protection systems and tactical surveillance and intelligence systems for all branches of the armed forces. Other major business areas include microwave, mission and space electronics; infrared imaging; and automated mission planning systems.

BAE Systems Communications, Navigation and Identification, headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey, employs more than 1,300 professionals, innovating technically superior solutions that transform the armed forces' communication, mobility, and mission effectiveness.