Boeing

BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia, March 23, 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has demonstrated for the first time the ability to deliver streaming video over a mobile, ad hoc tactical network from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to a Chinook helicopter and ground troops. The demonstration proves that the high-bandwidth connection can deliver video beyond line-of-sight to the tactical edge, providing greater situational awareness to warfighters equipped to receive video.

"This tactical network is ahead of its time in many ways," said Tom DuBois, Boeing Rotorcraft Systems architect and Technical Fellow for Avionics and Software. "The network's open architecture means it can operate simultaneously with other transformational communication systems, while also supporting UAV sensor visualization, white board, chat and network-based situational awareness displays."

The net-centric demonstration took place March 16-18 at Boeing's Systems Analysis Laboratory in Brisbane, Australia, where personnel from Australia's Army, Navy and Air Force viewed the network's capabilities on actual flight hardware.

"Tactically networked aircraft and ground units will result in more accurate military responses due to the ability to instantly and effortlessly communicate data to and coordinate with troops on land, in aircraft or at sea," said Steve Parker, vice president and general manager of Boeing Network and Space Systems -- Australia. "Boeing can provide these tactical network solutions today."

Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned Boeing subsidiary and a business unit of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, has more than 2,300 employees at 14 locations throughout Australia supporting programs for the Australian government and defence forces, international and commercial customers.