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MOD Private Finance Initiative
The U.K. Ministry of Defence (MOD) is taking a new approach to obtaining military satellite communications services. The concept, called private finance initiative (PFI), has been applied to a £2.5 billion Skynet 5 contract with Paradigm Secure Communications Limited, London, and enables Paradigm to market Skynet services to other governments and multinational organizations. Those arrangements traditionally have been made under governmental memoranda of understanding. Under the PFI, Paradigm will sign up additional direct customers for its military satellite communications services. Using a commercial organization such as Paradigm to operate Skynet 5 offers the MOD flexibility that will allow new service-based products and technological advancements to be brought into the military arena more rapidly than was previously possible. Paradigm Services has already taken over the operation of the existing Skynet 4 infrastructure in May. It will now gradually introduce new Skynet 5 ground segment upgrades and in due course, the new Skynet 5 satellites.
Paradigm will provide a range of services, including global mobile voice communications, videoconferencing, multimedia-based communications and broadcast communications, as well as supplying a versatile range of ship- and land-based terminals for purchase or lease. Paradigm has two primary subcontractors. They are Paradigm Services, in charge of service delivery, including network maintenance, customer support and technical refreshes; and EADS Astrium, responsible for the design and implementation of at least two new Skynet 5 satellites, upgrades to existing UK ground control stations, provision of a new fleet of land terminals and full upgrades to the SCOT communications terminals onboard Royal Navy ships. The Skynet 5 contract extends through 2018.
 
Europe’s Spy Satellites
A Europe-wide strategic reconnaissance system is under study. OHB-System AG, Bremen, Germany, has received an order from the German Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement to conduct a second-phase study focused on the details of combining the SAR-Lupe and the Helios II reconnaissance satellite and remote sensing systems. The initial concept is for OHB-System, which is developing and constructing the SAR-Lupe, to permit France to co-use the German SAR-Lupe radar system, and Germany would have access to the Helios II optical system. The second-phase study would involve describing in detail the required technical adjustment to the SAR-Lupe ground station, the precise interfaces necessary and the budget and schedule for the project. Preliminary parts of the system are to be available in late 2005, when Helios I begins operation. The first SAR-Lupe satellites are scheduled for launch early in 2005.
 
Managing Spatial Data
The Government of Canada has put up $5.6 million to advance the field of geomatics. Geomatics is the integration of the various means of acquiring and managing spatial data. Under the research and development contract, PCI Geomatics, Richmond Hill, Ontario, will develop advanced technology software applications that merge large volumes of satellite imagery and mapping data to create digital maps in near-real time. The objective is to make geomatics the decision-making tool of choice for professionals who deal with critical issues such as public security, health and safety, environmental protection and sustainable resource development. PCI will create three separate GeoCapacity Centres focused on mapping, the environment and disaster management for homeland security. These centers will provide online geo-information products and services for government and commercial organizations that require accurate and up-to-date geospatial information to support their missions.


U.S. Military in Europe
Assistance and advisory services for five major organizations of the U.S. armed forces in Europe will be available through a new single-source contract. Under the $74 million, five-year contract, Titan Corporation, San Diego, will be the source of services, including counterterrorism analyses; engineering and technical services; management and professional support, studies, analyses and evaluation for government-owned computer hardware; and intelligence analysis support. Titan will provide those services to the European Command, the Joint Analysis Center, the Warrior Preparation Center, U.S. Air Forces Europe and the U.S. Army Europe.
 
Restoring Iraq’s Electricity
Supporting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ ongoing efforts to repair Iraq’s electrical infrastructure, Fluor Corporation, Aliso Viejo, California, will repair, replace or supplement generating, transmission and distribution systems within central Iraq, including Baghdad. The initial task order is for $102 million; however, the value of the contract could increase to a maximum of $500 million based on urgency. Fluor also will develop a logistics management system to inventory, procure and distribute parts for the power generation and distribution system.