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CEDAR RAPIDS,
Iowa (September 29,
2008) - Data
Link Solutions, a
joint venture
between Rockwell
Collins and BAE
Systems, will
provide
Multifunctional
Information
Distribution System
(MIDS)-on-ship
systems to the U.S.
Navy and
international naval
forces under a $32
million Navy
contract. The
systems will equip
command-and-control
platforms with
time-critical
targeting and Blue
Force Tracking - a
system of software
and computers that
links satellites,
sensors,
communications
devices, vehicles,
aircraft, and
weapons in a digital
network.
MIDS-on-ship, or
MOS, increases
situational
awareness by
providing secure,
high-capacity,
jam-resistant
digital Link 16 data
and voice
communications
capabilities. Link
16 users gain
situational
awareness by
exchanging digital
data over a common
communication link
that is continuously
and automatically
updated in real
time. Each
participant in the
communications link
is able to
electronically "see"
the battle space,
including assigned
targets or threats.
"Data Link
Solutions' MOS
systems and MIDS
terminals help the
U.S. Navy realize
its vision for
increased
survivability of
troops through
elevated mission
effectiveness that
neutralizes
time-critical
targets and
heightens
situational
awareness for
engaged platforms,"
said Jim Pitts, Data
Link Solutions
senior director.
"MOS enables the
battle space
commander to take
quick, decisive
actions."
Data Link Solutions
provides MOS systems
to the navies of the
United States,
United Kingdom,
Netherlands,
Denmark, Norway,
Japan, Spain,
Australia, France,
Germany, and Taiwan.
It is used on the
fleets' most
advanced ships such
as Aegis
guided-missile
destroyers, littoral
combat ships,
big-deck amphibious
ships, and
nuclear-powered
carriers.
The award is part of
a long-term program
designed to meet the
requirements of U.S.
and allied forces
for communications
among airborne,
shipboard, and
ground forces, and
command-and-control
elements. Work will
be performed in
Wayne, N.J., and
Cedar Rapids, Iowa,
and is expected to
be completed by
August 2013. |
