BAE SYSTEMS ENHANCES AIRBORNE NETWORKING PERFORMANCE FOR U.S. AIR FORCE
01-31-2007
WAYNE, New Jersey — The U.S. Air Force has selected BAE Systems and SRA International to develop the second spiral of the Flexible Access Secure Transfer (FAST) waveform into the Multifunction Information Distribution System Low Volume Terminal 1 (MIDS LVT1).
The $7 million contract will enable the MIDS LVT1 to simultaneously transmit and receive both standard Link 16 and FAST waveform messages. FAST supports missions that require dynamic network management without pre-mission planning, improves tactical communications, and adds mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) to existing Link 16 terminals prior to introduction of emerging future technologies.
“The continued development of FAST enhances the interoperability of coalition forces, improving situational awareness and communications,” said Steve DiNome, BAE Systems’ program manager for FAST. “The ability to send and receive data in real time reduces the chance of fratricide, duplicate assignments, and missed targets.”
FAST, developed by BAE Systems with a team of engineers from SRA and MITRE, completed the first spiral with a flight test in 2006 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The flights demonstrated the ability to add high-speed Internet Protocol connectivity to the MIDS Fighter Data Link. The demonstrations were performed with a four-node network using an Air Force F-15E, a Beechcraft King Air, and two ground stations.
FAST provides network-centric operation for situational awareness and rapid decision-making in an airborne tactical environment using MANET interoperable with Internet Protocol and Link 16 networks. A cost-effective solution available to all U.S. and coalition forces, FAST is quickly deployable and provides a real-time exchange of multimedia communications including data, voice, and video.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a global defense and aerospace company, delivering a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions, and customer support services. BAE Systems, with 88,000 employees worldwide, had 2005 sales that exceeded $22 billion, excluding the group's former interest in Airbus.
For further information, please contact:
James Mallon, BAE Systems
Tell: +1 973-633-4385 Mobile: +1 862-228-4273
james.mallon@baesystems.com
Shannon Smith, BAE Systems
Tel: +1 703-907-8257 Mobile: +1 703-967-3854
shannon.n.smith@baesystems.com
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