Boeing Receives First JTRS Radios for Future Combat System on Schedule
Boeing [NYSE: BA] has received the first delivery of Joint Tactical Radio System Cluster 1 (JTRS C1) radios produced for the U.S. Army's Future Combat System (FCS) program. The seven pre-engineering development model radios were shipped from team members BAE Systems and Rockwell Collins to the Boeing integration facility in Anaheim last week. The radios are now in the software integration phase and will be delivered to the FCS program at the end of January.
"We're on track to deliver additional JTRS Cluster 1 radios to the FCS program throughout 2006," said Ralph Moslener, Boeing JTRS C1 program manager. "This first delivery from the hardware manufacturers is exciting to the team because it brings us that much closer to actually placing this transformational communications system in the hands of the warfighter."
The JTRS operational software being provided to FCS is complete. The operating environment provides the radio support infrastructure for the operation of software communication architecture compliant waveforms. The initial waveform set will include the single channel ground air radio system waveform and the Wideband Networking Waveform-increment 1 (WNW). Operational software and waveform upgrades will be provided with FCS radio deliveries scheduled to take place in August 2006.
The WNW, which gives the radios Internet-like capabilities on the move, uses common Internet Protocol-based networking concepts, as well as new mobile ad-hoc networking technology to integrate voice, video and data communications. The WNW enables JTRS radios to provide secure, self-forming and self-healing connections to other "nodes" on the network. It will ultimately enable connectivity with the global information grid, or "Internet in the Sky," thereby extending advanced network services and information access to warfighters anywhere in the world.
The basic JTRS radio configuration being delivered to the FCS program has been successfully operated in multiple demonstrations over the past six months. These demonstrations have shown multi-channel operation, simultaneous waveform operation, interoperability with existing "legacy" radios, end-to-end radio operation, and multiple legacy waveform operation.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.5 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.
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