By Marina Malenic
The Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) terminal was approved for limited production, the JTRS joint program office said yesterday.
A Dec. 23 Acquisition Decision Memorandum signed by Ashton Carter, the Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer, authorized the decision.
MIDS JTRS is a software defined networking terminal that will be NSA certified with the Link-16 Waveform and include Link-16 Enhanced Throughput (ET), Link-16 Frequency Remapping (FR), and be Information Assurance (IA) modification ready.
The MIDS JTRS terminal has demonstrated it has met all acquisition milestone criteria, including successful completion of an Operational Assessment (OA) test phase, and is poised to enter the production phase, according to the ADM. With the successful execution of the limited production decision, the program will then enter Initial Operational Test and Evaluation in the 3rd quarter of Fiscal Year 2010.
The MIDS program office is authorized to enter into a limited production of 41 terminals for both Air Force and Navy platforms, including the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
MIDS JTRS is the first JTRS software defined networking terminal to complete Security Verification Testing (SVT) and an Operational Assessment (OA), as well as to enter into the limited production phase, according to the program office.
The JTRS program has evolved from separate radio replacement programs to an integrated effort to network multiple DoD platforms. The program is developing an open architecture of cutting edge radio waveform technology that allows multiple radio types–handheld, aircraft, maritime–to communicate with each other. The goal is to produce a family of interoperable, modular software-defined radios that operate as nodes in a network to ensure secure wireless communication and networking services for mobile and fixed forces.
Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin recently received a modification to their existing contract for the porting, integration and test of five additional waveforms for the Airborne, Maritime/Fixed (AMF) JTRS effort. This exercised contract option is valued at $29 million, according to a company press statement.
Under the newly exercised contract option, Lockheed Martin will integrate five legacy VHF/UHF line-of-sight waveforms into the system. These waveforms are: Single Channel Ground-Air Radio System (SINCGARS), HAVEQUICK I/II, VHF FM, UHF line-of-sight AM, and UHF FM/PSK/CPM. These join the waveforms previously under contract to be incorporated into the network: Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW), Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW), Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), UHF SATCOM and Link-16. All waveforms will operate on both the Small Airborne and the Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radios.