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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (March 14, 2005 ) –
Data Link Solutions (DLS), a BAE
SYSTEMS/ Rockwell Collins company, has received a not-to-exceed
contract in the amount of $82M for a product improvement program for
the migration of the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS)
to a JTRS (Joint Tactical Radio System) software communications
compliant architecture. The improved product will be called MIDS JTRS.
Development of the MIDS JTRS terminal is scheduled to be completed
within 29 months and will represent the next generation of MIDS
products. The initial product baseline will provide the current MIDS
Link 16 and TACAN functions, with three additional programmable
channels to run various communications, navigation and command and
control waveforms within the form factor of the existing MIDS Low
Volume Terminal (LVT).
The MIDS JTRS terminal will be capable of running next generation
communication protocols, including the Wideband Networking Waveform
(WNW) and a low latency communication sub-network for time critical
applications. The terminal will also be able to host and provide the
necessary computer processing to run routing and platform specific
applications, allowing for lower cost integration into host
platforms. Future enhancements under discussion include expanding the
MIDS JTRS by serially connecting the MIDS JTRS EMF (Expanded Modular
Functionality) terminal building block into a complete communication
subsystem. Such a scalable architecture will provide a common
multi-channel solution for ground, airborne and shipboard military
platforms/domains.
By utilizing software applications for expanded capability, the
MIDS JTRS terminal enables enhanced operational effectiveness without
consuming additional space, weight or power. Aircraft such as
fighters, tankers, transport, command and control and rotary wing,
along with maritime and fixed sites are all potential users of the new
communication and data link terminal.
Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Wayne, N.J and
is expected to be completed by September 2007. DLS’ parent
companies, BAE SYSTEMS and Rockwell Collins, are also radio suppliers
for JTRS Cluster 1 and for the JTRS Cluster 5.
Data
Link Solutions (DLS) was established in 1996 by BAE SYSTEMS and
Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) to pursue the next generation Link 16
applications. With a heritage of more than 20 years of Link 16 design
and production experience of over 2,000 Link 16 systems, DLS today is
a leading supplier of Link 16 terminals and software, as well as
logistics / support services for air, land and sea-based platforms.
Currently DLS has provided MIDS terminals for over 25 different
platforms in 20 different countries with product offerings that
include the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS)
Class 2 family, the Multi-functional Information Distribution System (MIDS)
LVT-1 Low Volume terminal and LVT-3 Fighter Data Link (FDL), the
URC-138 Link 16 terminal, and various country-unique data links.
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