Northrop Grumman Receives Milsatcom Network Study Contract

SPACEWAR

Reston - Jan 19, 2004
The U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Command has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation's Mission Systems sector a contract to define the requirements needed to build a communications network for military, intelligence and space agencies. The Transformational Communications MILSATCOM (TCM) network, which will be based on a single, overarching communications architecture, will transform the way the Pentagon conducts its military operations.

The TCM program is a communications overhaul initiative driven by increasing bandwidth demands and represents a step toward the government's goal of developing a space-based and ground communications and networking infrastructure.

This network will have the flexibility to allow seamless information sharing among all command, control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance users. The TCM will also link existing Department of Defense, civilian, and intelligence community communications networks to provide the warfighter with on-demand communications services.

The contract value is $3 million over six months, with options that could increase its total cumulative value to $9 million. The Air Force awarded two additional parallel contracts to other contractors and plans to award to one prime contractor a subsequent development program.

"We view this award as an opportunity to define the requirements to remove bandwidth constraints across defense, civilian and intelligence community operations," said Barry Rhine, president, Defense Mission Systems, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems.

"Our network development expertise will be combined with the unique capabilities of our subcontractors to ensure the TCM network requirements define the seamless interoperability, availability, reliability and secure information transport standards for future networks."

Northrop Grumman will work with the Space and Missile Command's MILSATCOM Joint Program Office to define requirements for the research and development phase of the TCM network program, which will expand the military's network capability and interoperability between systems.

"Through this contract, we will enhance our role as the government's trusted partner in support of network-centric systems," said Martin Amen, senior director, Space and Communications Systems, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. "We structured our team to offer the best available national resources to help the government evolve the TCM network architecture."

Work on the contract will be performed at Northrop Grumman Mission Systems facilities in McLean, Va., Colorado Springs, Colo., and El Segundo, Calif.

Northrop Grumman teammates include Harris Corporation, Melbourne, Fla.; Computer Sciences Corporation, El Segundo, Calif.; FCI, Chantilly, Va.; Agile Communications, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; L-3 Communications, New York, N.Y.; NuParadigm, Chesterfield, Mo.; SI International, Reston, Va.; SPARTA, Lake Forrest, Calif.; Verzion Federal, Arlington, Va.; and RT Logic, Colorado Springs, Colo.

SPACEWAR

Lockheed Built Communications Satellite Begins Operations For USAF

Sunnyvale - Jan 05, 2004
In late December a U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin team successfully completed on-orbit checkout and testing of the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) spacecraft that was launched on Aug. 29, 2003 from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla. Aboard a Delta IV rocket. The satellite, the last of 14 DSCS III spacecraft built by Lockheed Martin, has now begun its controlled drift to its operational location.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.