Data at Rest Protection for Intelligence
Efforts are underway to manufacture KG-200 and KG-201 In-Line Media Encryptors (IMEs) and to develop additional data at rest (DAR) security products to meet the needs of the U.S. Defense Department. Both KG encryptors are National Security Agency (NSA) certified to secure data up to the Top Secret/Secure Compartmentalized Information level. They transparently encrypt and decrypt data written to and read from a computer’s storage media. The 200 is designed for desktop personal combers, and the 201 is for mobile computing platforms. Simultaneously, work is being conducted with high-value data users to conceptualize and develop the next generation of IME and DAR security products. The immediate focus is on creating smaller, more durable, lower cost IME variants. Long-term initiatives will address next-generation products for tailored and broad-spectrum secure storage. NSA, Fort Meade, Maryland, awarded the contract to ViaSat Incorporated, Carlsbad, California.
 
Improved Simulated Aviator Displays
The helmet mounted display (HMD) technology in the Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (AVCATT) is undergoing a major upgrade. The new HMDs will have many enhanced features over the former version including increased display resolution that will add fidelity to the visual scene. The updated HMDs will weigh only 2.5 pounds, compared to 6 pounds, and attach directly onto the aviators’ flight helmet, eliminating the necessity of using a modular binocular display fastened to a custom helmet. The HMD technology is a high-resolution, full-color, head-mounted display that serves as the primary interface between the AVCATT system and the crew members. The HMDs used in-flight simulators were the top complaint from the U.S. Army’s aviation training community, but HMD upgrades will solve the problems reported. The U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation, Orlando, Florida, awarded a contract worth almost $24 million to Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solutions, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the HMD improvements.
 
Troops to Receive Test Set
The U.S. Marine Corps has contracted for Virtual Instrument Portable Equipment Repair/Tester Third Echelon Test Set (TETS) and related equipment. TETS is a weapon system field-portable, automated, diagnostic fault isolation mechanism with three variants: radio frequency (RF), electro-optical (EO) and RF/EO. The order calls for 32 EO variants, six RF/EO variants, 38 stand-alone instrument fixtures and 36 calibration interface devices. Work is scheduled for completion in September 2009 and will be conducted in Orlando, Florida; Santa Barbara, California; and Austin, Texas. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, awarded the $32 million contract to DME Corporation, Orlando, Florida. The contract was decided through a full and open competition. 
 
Unmanned Combat Air Systems Technical Demonstration
A technical effort is being launched to demonstrate the aircraft carrier suitability of an autonomous low-observable unmanned air vehicle as well as critical aircraft carrier suitability technologies in a relevant environment. The U.S. Navy Unmanned Combat Air Systems Technical Demonstration will involve shipboard operation, including catapult takeoffs, arrested landings and flight in the immediate vicinity of an aircraft carrier. Products are expected to include flight test data, test reports, trade studies, simulation and detailed engineering analyses to enable future development efforts. The system will comprise two unmanned, low-observable air vehicles, two mission control segments and a support segment. The system will have capabilities for autonomous launch, recovery and operations in the carrier control area. The work is specifically for development and demonstration, not an operational system. Flight testing will commence in 2009 and culminate with carrier flight operations in 2013. Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Integrated Systems—Western Region, San Diego, won the $636 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract.
 
Electronic Surveillance Systems Work
Several naval electronic surveillance systems will receive in-service engineering agent (ISEA) and acquisition support during their life cycles. The systems include the Sensor Management System, Joint Perimeter Surveillance Command and Control System, Unmanned Vehicles for Physical Security, Adaptive Networks, Mobile Remote Video Surveillance System, Ground Radar for Personnel Detection and other future electronic surveillance systems for the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego. The contract for the work also calls for technical expertise to be provided to the program executive offices, Naval Installation Command, Naval Intelligence Command, other U.S. Defense Department agencies, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as other government activities as required. SERCO Incorporated, Vienna, Virginia, won the cost-plus-fixed-fee contract that is worth nearly $62 million. The three-year contract includes five, six-month award terms, which could bring the potential cumulative value to more than $115 million. SERCO will perform the work mainly in San Diego, and work should be finished by August 2010.
 
Laser Tool for Special Forces
Special Operations Forces personnel will receive a device that provides the capability to locate and designate critical enemy targets for destruction using laser-guided ordnance. The Special Operations Forces Laser Acquisition Marker (SOFLAM) Special Operations Force Laser Rangefinder Designator (SOFLRD) is a lightweight integrated laser designator and rangefinder that is capable of remote firing. It also can mount accessories such as pointers and night sites. Litton Systems Incorporated, Laser Systems, Apopka, Florida, won the $98 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, which has a five-year ordering period. The maximum procurement is 940 SOFLAM SOFLRDs. Litton Systems will perform the work in Apopka, and is expected to finish in August 2010. About $1.5 million in funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting authority.
 
Datalink Equipment Modification
The F-15 fighter aircraft will undergo a datalink equipment modification. The work includes updates to the weapons datalink associated with the GBU-15 and AGM-13 weapons programs for frequency utilization to support the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act. The act reallocates spectrum from government to commercial users. The weapons datalink (AXQ-14 Data Link Pod, ZSW-1 Weapons Control Pod) and associated support equipment are operational and training assets used to support the GBU-15 and AGM-130. The award calls for the contractor to develop, prototype, qualify and modify weapons datalink equipment. Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC, Indianapolis, won the $75 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. An initial $32 million delivery order was executed concurrently with the contract award.


Submit information about contract awards to signalnews@afcea.org.