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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (June 15, 2006) – Data Link Solutions (DLS) and Thales have signed an agreement to cooperatively produce and sell Multi-functional Information Distribution System (MIDS) terminals for the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS).
DLS is leading the development effort on MIDS JTRS under an $82 million product improvement program contract.

MIDS JTRS is a significant evolution of the successful international MIDS Low Volume Terminal (LVT) program which has provided a fully interoperable Tactical Data Link (Link 16) to more than 20 NATO and allied countries on numerous military platforms. The initial MIDS JTRS configuration will provide the current MIDS capabilities of Link 16 and tactical air navigation functions while also providing three additional programmable channels to run various communications, navigation and command-and-control waveforms, all within the same form factor of the existing MIDS LVT.

“Our companies have a heritage of delivering robust communication solutions to meet the needs of domestic and international war fighters,” said Bruce King, vice president and general manager of Communication Systems for Rockwell Collins. “This agreement enables DLS to team with Thales on worldwide marketing and production for MIDS JTRS to meet European requirements.”

“The decision to enter into a formal agreement between DLS and Thales brings together two world-class communication companies to address the MIDS JTRS global market,” said Joseph McCarthy, Vice President Communication and Navigation programs for BAE Systems. “The inherent mission flexibility of the new software definable MIDS JTRS terminal will be a key enabler for the next generation of communication and data flow on the battlefield.

“The MIDS program has been one of the outstanding examples of international cooperation; MIDS JTRS builds on this to deliver increased flexibility and new capabilities to our customers while maintaining the high standards of interoperability required by Tactical Data Links,” said Pierre-Yves Chaltiel, Thales senior vice president and managing director of Communications & Optronics activities. “Our combined expertise and international reach will allow us to deliver even more competitive solutions for our customers.”

 The MIDS JTRS terminal will be capable of running next-generation communication protocols, including the Wideband Networking Waveform and a low-latency communication sub-network for time-critical applications. The terminal will also host and provide the necessary computer processing to run routing and platform-specific applications, allowing for lower-cost integration into host platforms. The scalable architecture will provide a common multi-channel solution for ground, airborne and shipboard military platforms and domains.

The terminal utilizes software applications for expanded capability, enabling enhanced operational effectiveness without additional weight, size or power consumption. Aircraft such as fighters, tankers, transports, command and control, and rotary wing, along with maritime and fixed sites, all are potential users of the new communication and data link terminal.

Work will be performed by DLS in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Wayne, N.J., and by Thales in Colombes, France, and at Thales Communications Inc. in Clarksburg, Md. Development of the base terminal is scheduled for September 2007, with additional capabilities and European-unique developments running through 2009.

About Data Link Solutions
Data Link Solutions 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 more than 2,000 Link 16 systems, DLS is a leading supplier of Link 16 terminals and software, as well as logistics and support services for air, land, and sea-based platforms. DLS has provided MIDS terminals for more than 25 different platforms in 20 different countries with product offerings that include the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System Class 2 family, the Multi-functional Information Distribution System (MIDS) LVT-1 Low Volume Terminal and LVT-3 Fighter Data Link, the URC-138 Link 16 terminal, and various country-unique data links.

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