SAN DIEGO – Military network experts from Data Link Solutions LLC in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will provide the U.S. Navy with an upgraded high-capacity, jam-resistant digital data and voice communications system under the terms of a potential $75 million contract announced this week.
Officials from the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR, formerly SPAWAR) in San Diego are requesting Data Link Solutions for a Block II upgrade of the Multipurpose Information Distribution System (MIDS-LVT) Small Volume Terminals. Data Link Solutions is a joint venture between Collins Aerospace and BAE Systems.
The terminals provide secure, high-capacity, jam-resistant digital data and voice communications capability for Navy, Air Force, and Army platforms and for US military allies.
Data Link Solutions is one of two US companies building the MIDS-LVT; the other is Viasat Inc. in Carlsbad, California. The two companies won contracts in mid-2015 totaling nearly $1 billion to build and maintain MIDS Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS) terminals.
Last year, Viasat won an $85.5 million contract to supply block upgrade II hardware and software upgrades and support services for MIDS-LVT radios.
Related: Data Link Solutions and ViaSat win $957.2 million air tactical data link orders
The MIDS-LVT block upgrade II project will enable interoperability with platforms that use other upgraded Link 16 terminals, such as the MIDS JTRS family of terminals.
MIDS-LVT is a software defined radio (SDR) tactical data link and network system for aircraft, fixed sites, land vehicles and surface warships. It is a four-channel communications system that provides existing Link 16 tactical network and situational awareness with simultaneous multi-network-4 and tactical air navigation (TACAN) functionality.
The MIDS JTRS terminal has three channels for future growth, including JTRS advanced network waveforms such as tactical guidance network technology, multi-function advanced data link, in-flight data link and other advanced network waveforms.
The system is a line-of-sight radio system for the collection and transmission of broadband, jam-resistant, secure data and voice over a variety of air, sea and land platforms.
Under this order, Data Link Solutions will perform work in Wayne, New Jersey and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and will be completed by December 2026. For more information, contact Data Link Solutions online at www.datalinksolutions.netor NAVWAR of www.public.navy.mil/navwar/Pages/default.aspx.
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