Military

ROME, N.Y. (AMCNS) -- Giving common worldwide wireless communication power to deploying forces in the field and air is the focus of a $24.9 million contract Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate experts let here Feb. 3.

AFRL-Rome officials awarded the five-year indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to TASC Inc. of Reading, Mass., to develop enhanced technology for Air Mobility Command.

"AMC is seeking technology for enhanced command and control of its aircraft fleet," said 1st Lt. Benjamin Montgomery, information directorate distributed information systems branch deputy program manager. "The eventual goal is improved information flow, including in-transit visibility - the capability for networking to aircraft in flight to obtain updates and issue alerts over existing communications equipment."

Montgomery said the contract calls for TASC experts to support bringing the core capabilities of the Information for Global Reach program to the point of transition to the operational forces. TASC engineers will support research and development, as well as demonstrate advanced technology for AMC and other Defense Department customers.

The contract covers a full advanced technology demonstration and developing field evaluation units AMC users will thoroughly test and evaluate. The ATD and field evaluation of IFGR capabilities will provide the final customer input before a full-scale transition of the technology.

1st Lt. Christian Leimkuehler of the directorate's Contracting Division negotiated the TASC agreement. (Courtesy of Air Force Material Command News Service)