A Great Air Force Base The World Has Never Seen...
50th Operations Group commander
Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado
Theres Langley Air Force Base, home of the Air Combat Command and the 1st Fighter Wing. Then there is Nellis Air Force Base, the Las-Vegas-based host of Red Flag and countless other special flying activities in the vast Nevada desert. There is also Edwards Air Force Base, known as the center for flight test programs from the 1950s to the present. It seems as though everyone has heard of these special places and knows where these Air Force bases are located. Their fame is well-deserved.
However, what about this base called Schriever? Where is it, exactly? And what do they do there? Who really knows?
The truth is, our warfighters, our nations security, and, yes, even human society all depend greatly upon the activities performed day in and day out within this 21st century fort at this special place where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, about eight miles east of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Schriever is also a place where the vast domains of space and cyberspace converge. The Air Force Satellite Control Network is one branch of this confluence and has been the backbone of information flow to and from space for decades, supporting nearly all military, intelligence and manned spaceflight activities.
Of course, there are the 50th Space Wings mission partners here, as well, including the Space Innovation and Development Center, key elements of the Missile Defense Agency, Strategic Commands Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense, and others. Together, these organizations are probing new frontiers in technology, taking the nation to the next level in space and defense capabilities.
Let us not forget our Total Force teammates in the 310th Space Wing who are leading the charge in defining and growing Air Force Reserve space expertise for the Air Force. Many members of the 310th work directly alongside their active duty counterparts across the full spectrum of mission activities at Schriever.
However, those who serve at Schriever know they are, without fanfare, quietly and surely, making a tremendous difference across the globe. For them, thats good enough.
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New Satellite = Better Afghan Communications
The NATO satellite will be used to provide two extra Ultra High Frequency (UHF) tactical communications channels that can be used in Afghanistan. This additional satellite adds to the MODs three existing Skynet 5 series satellites, which provide a worldwide satellite communications service.
Satellite technology gives commanders on the ground an efficient and secure means of communication, including with operations centres that co-ordinate vital air support, as well as with other units.
Flight Lieutenant Damien Handley is a Joint Tactical Air Controller in Afghanistan. He uses satellite communications on the front line in his role co-ordinating air support for ground troops. He said, I can use these satellite communications to talk from Afghanistan directly to operations centres and headquarters around the world. They are vital in the fight against insurgents, particularly to task aircraft in support of our front line troops. In the thick of battle we rely on good communications and more satellite channels will be a great boost.
Following an agreement with NATO, the MODs Defence Equipment and Support organisation secured ownership of the satellite earlier this year at no extra cost to the MOD.
Commander Andy Titcomb, from the MODs Defence Equipment and Support organisation, explained, Ultra High Frequency satellite communications are a valuable resource and when it became known that NATO was about to fire this satellite into a graveyard orbit, we jumped at the chance to see whether we could take ownership of this valuable asset and use it to support our troops in Afghanistan. This is an example of MOD personnel identifying and seizing an opportunity to deliver an additional vital resource to our troops on the ground at zero capital cost.
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Power To The GPS
The pathfinder spacecraft has been turned on, a major milestone for the GPS III satellite launch in 2014...
The Lockheed Martin team developing the U.S. Air Forces next generation Global Positioning System has turned on initial power to the programs pathfinder spacecraft, known as the GPS III Non Flight Satellite Testbed (GNST). The milestone gives the team high confidence in meeting the scheduled launch of the first GPS III satellite in 2014. The GPS III program is the lowest risk solution to constellation sustainment and the most affordable path to meet the needs of military, commercial and civilian users worldwide. GPS III will improve position, navigation and timing services and provide advanced anti-jam capabilities yielding superior system security, accuracy and reliability.
With a focus on affordability, the GPS III team is first developing the GNST, a full-sized prototype of the GPS III spacecraft used to identify and solve issues prior to the first space vehicle. This approach significantly reduces risk, improves production predictability, increases mission assurance and lowers overall program costs.
The GNST, populated with fully functional non-flight boxes, provides space vehicle design level validation; early verification of ground, support, and test equipment; and early confirmation and rehearsal of transportation operations. Turning initial power on for the GNST is a major milestone for the GPS III team demonstrating we are well on track to deliver the first satellite for launch in 2014, said Lt. Col. Don Frew, the U.S. Air Forces GPS III program manager. Our joint government and industry team is committed to delivering GPS III on schedule to sustain and modernize the GPS constellation for users worldwide.
The GPS III team has installed power subsystem components, harnesses, and tracking, telemetry and control hardware on the GNST structure to support phased checkout of the integrated design. Flight software versions have also been delivered for all of the spacecraft and payload computer processors. In parallel, GPS III teammate ITT is integrating the GNST Navigation Payload at their facility in Clifton, New Jersey. Successfully powering on the GNST demonstrates initial mechanical integration, validates the GNSTs interfaces and leads the way for electrical and integrated hardware-software testing.
The GNST will be shipped to Lockheed Martins GPS III Processing Facility in Denver late this year to demonstrate Assembly, Integration and Test procedures. It will then be delivered to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in the summer for 2012 for pathfinding activities at the launch site.
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Core Support and BLOS + LOS For DoD
Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) has been awarded a 16-month, $9.7 million contract by the U.S. Air Force Space Commands Space and Missile Systems Center to deliver network support services at Los Angeles Air Force Base in California.
The Company has also received a $16 million order from the U.S. Department of Defense for additional Falcon III® AN/PRC-117G multiband manpack radios systems. The radios will supply DoD forces with networked line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight tactical communications.
The field-proven AN/PRC-117G delivers unprecedented situational awareness to the battlefield through voice, wideband data and mobile ad-hoc networking. It is the first JTRS Software Communications Architecture-certified and NSA Type-1 certified wideband manpack radio system. Software-defined with significantly reduced size, weight and power, the radio supports a growing number of network-enabled missions.
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Moving On Up...,
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced today that it has appointed retired Army Lieutenant General Kevin T. Campbell, vice president and corporate lead executive (CLE) for company business in Huntsville, Alabama.
Campbell reports to John R. Landon, vice president of missile technology and space programs. I am very pleased to welcome Kevin Campbell as our new lead executive in Huntsville, said Landon. His broad military leadership, especially in the areas of missile defense, space and cyber defense, will serve him well in his new position. We look forward to his contributions to our company and its shareholders, customers and employees.
Campbell joins Northrop Grumman after retiring from a distinguished 37-year career with the U.S. Army, having most recently served as Commanding General, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/U.S. Army Forces Strategic Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Prior to that, he served as Chief of Staff, U.S. Strategic Command, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, one of numerous joint leadership assignments throughout his career. He has earned a number of U.S. military decorations, including the Defense Superior Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster); the Legion of Merit (with two Oak Leaf Clusters) and the Bronze Star Medal.
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A Host Of Duties
The Boeing Company will serve as corporate host for the MILCOM 2011 conference and exposition...
The event occurs from November 7th through the 10th at the Baltimore Convention Center. This will be the conferences 30th year of gathering leaders from the military, industry and academia to promote and discuss all aspects of military communications technologies and services. The conference is co-sponsored by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) International and the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Communications Society. The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) is the Department of Defense adviser for the conference.
Featured speakers at MILCOM 2011 include: Army Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, commander of U.S. Army Materiel Command; Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael J. Basla, vice commander of Air Force Space Command; Air Force Lt. Gen. Charles R. Davis, commander of Electronic Systems Center; Army Lt. Gen. Rhett A. Hernandez, commanding general, U.S. Army Cyber Command/2nd Army; Army Lt. Gen. Susan S. Lawrence, Army Chief Information Officer/G-6; Air Force Lt. Gen. Ellen M. Pawlikowski, commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center; and Army Maj. Gen. Randolph P. Strong, commanding general of CECOM Life Cycle Management Command. Industry and government leaders also will share their perspectives during daily panel presentations. The MILCOM 2011 technical program includes classified and unclassified sessions that will feature both tutorials and technical panels. More than 400 technical paper presentations are scheduled to cover the following topics:
– Networking protocols and performance
– Cybersecurity and network operations
– Middleware services and applications
– Communications and network systems
– Department of Defense programs
This years program also includes a Small Business Workshop, which offers potential suppliers and partners two days of face-to-face interaction with Boeing and other prime contractors. MILCOM 2011 features a full technology exposition, gathering industry leaders in an interactive exhibit hall. Boeing will feature the capabilities of its Wideband Global SATCOM satellites; Combat Survivor Evader Locator radio; Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (EMARSS); Phased Array Antenna; Phantom Eye unmanned aircraft; Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Enterprise Network Manager; and NarusInsight Solution for Cyber Protection.
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Enhanced Intelligence
DigitalGlobe (NYSE: DGI) has been awarded a one-year contract at a funded level of $37.9 million by the U.S. Government via the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) under the NGAs new Enhanced GEOINT Delivery (EGD) program.
EGD expands the EnhancedView contract to meet the governments evolving requirements for ortho-rectified products in large quantities. The new EGD product deliverables will include three elements: a nearly cloud-free wide-area mapping layer; continuous delivery of daily images via the web within 24 hours of collection; and quick-turnaround images of NGA-designated high-priority geographic locations.
Initial production and deliveries under the agreement are expected to ramp beginning in the fourth quarter 2011, with revenue to be recognized in accordance with deliveries.
WWSS Win
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS) has received $16.1 million of new orders from the U.S. Army to continue to provide satellite communications equipment, engineering support, training and maintenance for the U.S. Army.
The orders are initially funded at $5.0 million and will be funded up to a total of $16.1 million if the options are fully exercised through July 2012. The U.S. Army Project Manager for the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (PM WIN-T) Commercial Satellite Terminal Program (CSTP) is funding these procurements through the Armys $5 billion World-Wide Satellite Systems (WWSS) contract vehicle, which has been extended to July 27, 2012 with all deliveries required to be completed by August 28, 2012.
In addition, TCS has received $3.2 million of additional incremental funding under previously announced orders. This brings the total of WWSS orders for the period August 26-September 30, 2011 to more than $78 million.
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Mission Critical Move
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:KTOS) has garnered sales valued at a total of $1.1 million from four major U.S. Government agencies for NeuralStar®, its flagship network management and situational awareness software product.
For example, two of the agencies purchasing NeuralStar rely heavily upon analog-based satellite communications. NeuralStar uniquely allows them to easily integrate management of these systems into their overall communications command and control picture for a unified 360 degree view.
All of these agencies function on the frontiers of communications and cyber security operations, said Phil Carrai, President of Kratos Technologies and Training Solutions. They include some of the worlds largest global networks as well as smaller, highly specialized and in-the-field operations. It is gratifying to see this endorsement of the NeuralStar platform as the standard for highly-secure network management and situational awareness.
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Boeing has successfully demonstrated high-data-rate transmissions between a Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals (FAB-T) system and a test terminal for the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite.
This was one in a series of development tests that are demonstrating extended data rate voice, text and data communication with a FAB-T unit. FAB-T will provide the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy with protected wideband satellite communications in support of command and control of U.S. nuclear forces. The demonstration, conducted in August at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems in Redondo Beach, California, involved a FAB-T unit and an AEHF Universal System Test Terminal (AUST-T) communicating through a ground AEHF payload. Using the latest program hardware, the terminal team successfully conducted extended data rate (XDR) re-key, XDR text communications, and dual FAB-T log-on with the AEHF payload. In separate testing essential to operating the fielded FAB-T system, Boeing also interfaced with the AEHF Satellite Mission Control Subsystem, demonstrating XDR capability with the AEHF ground satellite. The program continues to make measurable progress against its planned baseline.