True tactical communications interoperability for joint forces is becoming a reality, as more radio waveforms are slated to be integrated into the revolutionary Airborne, Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System (AMF JTRS). The Lockheed Martin team recently received a modification to their existing contract for the porting, integration and test of five additional waveforms. This exercised contract option is valued at $29 million.

"Linking these legacy radio waveforms into AMF JTRS is significant for the future of interoperable communication and further demonstrates the flexibility of our system design," said John Mengucci, president of Lockheed Martin's Information Systems & Global Services-Defense. "Not only will we extend the reach of the network, but we will take a quantum leap toward getting tactical communications to those in harm's way."

Once completely fielded, AMF JTRS will link more than 100 platforms, providing connectivity to areas where no communications infrastructure previously existed. The assets of joint military forces will be able to seamlessly synchronize with the soldier in the foxhole, providing near instantaneous awareness of the combat environment. Interoperable communications are enabled without the need for multiple radios or hardware upgrades as new capabilities are fielded.

AMF JTRS is designed to interface with legacy radios, waveforms and systems, as its capability is digitally defined in software and all signal processing is handled by a programmable computer. Under the newly exercised contract option, Lockheed Martin's team will integrate five legacy VHF/UHF line-of-sight waveforms into the system - as well as the associated cryptographic algorithms. These waveforms are: Single Channel Ground-Air Radio System (SINCGARS), HAVEQUICK I/II, VHF FM, UHF line-of-sight AM, and UHF FM/PSK/CPM. These join the waveforms previously under contract to be incorporated into the network: Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW), Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW), Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), UHF SATCOM and Link-16. All waveforms will operate on both the Small Airborne and the Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radios.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin