Boeing

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has successfully completed a Critical Design Review (CDR) of its Family of Advanced Beyond line-of-sight Terminals (FAB-T) program, helping to pave the way for deliveries to begin.

The review in Anaheim, Calif., attended by senior U.S. Air Force, government and industry officials Feb. 13-16, demonstrated that the program's requirements are well defined and understood, as required in the contract.

"We've established that our design solution, management approach and staffing levels are sufficient to successfully execute this contract," said Jim Dodd, Boeing FAB-T program manager. "We're right where we need to be to deliver this sophisticated technology to the warfighter in a timely manner."

The CDR follows the recent delivery of a Block 4 software-defined radio to the U.S. Air Force and successful Preliminary Design and Integrated Baseline reviews.

The FAB-T system includes software-defined radios, antennas and associated user interface hardware that will enable the government to host numerous waveforms that accommodate data rates in excess of 300 megabits per second. Once operational, FAB-T will provide critical, secure beyond line-of-sight communications capability for warfighters via various satellites that support military forces. Initial deliveries will begin in December 2008.

The system has demonstrated compatibility with the Extremely High Frequency Low Data Rate (EHF LDR) waveform and forms the basis for future Advanced EHF (AEHF) waveforms and block upgrades. The demonstration of the EHF waveform and its associated protocols ensures the government can host new waveforms being developed for the Transformational Satellite Communications program as well as a survivable command and control capability for the next generation AEHF satellite constellation.

FAB-T, a key enabler of network-centric communications, will provide strategic forces with a multi-mission-capable family of software-defined radios that use common open system architecture to link to different satellites and enable information exchange between ground, air and space platforms. FAB-T represents a key building block in Boeing's vision of the integrated battlespace of the future, where networked information and communications' systems provide a competitive edge to decision-makers and military personnel.

The initial development phase involves creating a FAB-T system that will fulfill operational terminal requirements for Milstar and Advanced EHF satellite systems. Increment 2 will develop terminals to support surveillance aircraft including Global Hawk and Predator, with other platforms to follow.