Retour aux nouvelles

12 mars 2019 | International, C4ISR

The Army hopes a new satellite will help alleviate congestion

By:

The U.S. Air Force is expected to launch the next satellite in its Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) program as early as March 13, a move that will bolster the military's foundational communication network.

The addition comes at a time when the military is under increasing pressure to build up its communication capacity as tactical battlefield sensors and other data feeds create the need for added throughput.

“The more data we use, the more congested it gets. Having more satellites gives us greater capability to deliver more information in a hurry,” said Army's Lt. Col. Anthony Whitfield, Product Manager, Wideband Enterprise Satellite Systems (PdM WESS).

WGS is the military's fundamental communications network and has an estimated cost of about $4 billion, according to the Government Accountability Office. The system of 10 satellites, built by Boeing, provides bandwidth and communications for tactical C2, C4ISR, battle management and combat support information.

While WGS-10 was originally slated to complete the constellation, it now seems likely more satellites may come. In the most recent omnibus spending bill, Congress appropriated funding for two additional WGS satellites, although SpaceNews reported there are questions about funding the launch of those payloads.

Should those future satellites come to fruition, Army leaders would have no complaints. In addition to fielding the ground control units that operate the constellation, “the Army is also one of the biggest users of WGS, and anything that can help us to deliver information across the globe for our senior leaders to make decisions -- we would welcome that,” Whitfield said.

In fact, the Army has taken steps lately to bolster its own operation capacity around WGS.

In 2018 the Army's Cyber Center of Excellence unveiled a wideband training and certification system (WTCS), for students enrolled in the school's Satellite Systems Network Coordinator Course. Soldiers training to staff the Army's wideband satellite communications operations centers (WSOC) located at five military installations worldwide, can use the system to leverage classroom learning against simulations generated from real-world events.

“By using [that training system] to ‘train how we fight,' WSOC operators will be better prepared to deliver their 24/7, no-fail mission to enable satellite communications for our Warfighters. It is all about operational readiness, the Army's number one priority,” said Col. Enrique Costas, the Program Manager for Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems, in announcing the new training tool.

The Army's focus on supporting WGS falls in line with an overall military emphasis on the importance of satellite communications.

“We must continue to build a robust SATCOM network that includes our allies and partners and leverages commercial SATCOM industries to integrate, synchronize, and share global SATCOM resources,” Air Force Gen. John Hyten, the head of U.S. Strategic Command, told the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee in 2018. “Our protected wideband communications are essential for allowing the warfighter to communicate in contested environments.”

New capacity

WGS-10 also will bring with it a more sophisticated payload, with more robust communications capabilities.

“It provides the bandwidth to transfer your data ― that hasn't changed ― but we are always looking to move that data faster,” Whitfield said. “When we originally built WGS 1, 2 and 3 they were built to certain specs, they provided a certain capacity. Over time it has gotten better. We moved forward, we have continued to build additional capacity.”

For security reasons, Army leaders have not disclosed the exact nature of the latest enhancements.

In addition to supporting American forces, the enhanced networking capability will be leveraged by a coalition of allied forces that support the WGS constellation, including Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

Looking ahead, SATCOM analysts have said that the congressional nod toward WGS 11 and 12 could shift the dynamic away from commercial satellite providers, who have long been angling for a bigger piece of the military space market. It remains to be seen, though, whether and how the Pentagon will decide to pursue future WGS acquisitions.

“There has been an analysis of alternatives for what's next. That analysis has been conducted and we are awaiting further guidance. Right now, we don't know what is next,” Whitfield said.

https://www.c4isrnet.com/c2-comms/satellites/2019/03/08/the-army-hopes-a-new-satellite-will-help-alleviate-congestion

Sur le même sujet

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - January 13, 2021

    14 janvier 2021 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - January 13, 2021

    ARMY Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tarrytown, New York, was awarded a $2,625,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for 1.25 million courses of a monoclonal antibody therapeutic (a combination of casirivimab and imdevimab) for COVID-19. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Tarrytown, New York, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 11, 2022. Fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Army) funds in the amount of $2,625,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W15QKN-21-C-0014). (Awarded Jan. 12, 2021) International Business Machines Corp., Bethesda, Maryland, was awarded a $17,758,596 modification (P00094) to contract W52P1J-17-C-0008 for services and solutions to support and maintain the General Fund Enterprise Business System Financial System Army-wide. Work will be performed in Bethesda, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 15, 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Army) funds; and 2020 and 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Army) funds in the amount of $17,758,596 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. NAVY Data Link Solutions LLC, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (N00039-21-A-1001); and DRS Laurel Technologies Partnership, Johnstown, Pennsylvania (N00039-21-A-1002), are each awarded $150,000,000 firm-fixed-price blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) for electronic equipment cabinets. These BPAs cover the production of up to 150 units per contractor along with the associated program management, testing and logistics support to deliver the units. Units will be manufactured in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with an expected completion date of January 2023. The total potential value of these BPAs is $150,000,000 per vendor. The total length of the ordering period is 24 months. Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds will be obligated on a delivery order level issued under the BPA at the time of placement of individual delivery calls. These BPAs were negotiated using the procedures defined under Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.5 for individual orders less than $15,000,000. The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. General Electric Aviation, Lynn, Massachusetts, is awarded a $101,470,782 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00015) to previously awarded contract N00019-18-C-1007. This modification procures 21 T408-GE-400 turboshaft engines and associated engine, programmatic and logistics services in support of CH-53K Lot Five low rate initial production aircraft. Work will be performed in Lynn, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed in December 2024. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount $101,470,782 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. MN-BMCD SE JV, Tampa, Florida, is awarded a maximum-value $60,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, architect-engineering contract for professional architectural and engineering services in support of waterfront projects in the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southeast area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for preparation of professional architectural and engineering services for preparation of design-bid-build documents and design-build requests for proposals for various project types in support of waterfront and marine facilities at Department of Defense (DOD) and non-DOD activities in the NAVFAC Southeast AOR. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operation and maintenance (Navy) and military construction (Navy) funds. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps installations in the NAVFAC Southeast AOR including, but not limited to Florida (30%); Georgia (30%); Andros Island, Bahamas (10%); Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (10%); South Carolina (5%); Louisiana (5%); Mississippi (5%); and Texas (5%), and is expected to be completed by February 2026. An initial task order to conduct a site engineering investigation and concept design workshop for P-021 lighterage wharf and lift-launch pier at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, Florida, is included with the award and is expected to be completed by April 2021. Fiscal 2021 military construction (Navy) funds in the amount of $202,780 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with two proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N69450-21-D-0002). Chatmon-VJR JV LLC,* La Place, Louisiana, is awarded a maximum-value $49,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for roofing projects at various military installations in the metropolitan San Diego, California, area, including Naval Base Coronado, Naval Base Point Loma, Naval Base San Diego, and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. No task orders are being issued at this time. The work to be performed is for repair, removal and replacement of roofing systems at various military installations in the metro San Diego area. Projects may include, but are not limited to, roofing services with minimal design requirements for new minor construction, facility repair, rehabilitation and alterations for a broad range of renovation and construction work. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operation and maintenance (Navy) funds. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to completed by January 2026. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with seven proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-21-D-2601). Essex Electro Engineers Inc.,* Schaumburg, Illinois, is awarded a $46,638,225 firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides for the production and delivery of up to a maximum quantity of 575 land-based mobile electric power plant units to provide 120KVA 115 VAC 400 Hz/270VDC/28VDC electric power to support general aircraft maintenance for all Navy aircraft platforms. Work will be performed in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is expected to be completed in January 2027. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured as a small business set-aside and five offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (N68335-21-D-0049). Team Corp., Burlington, Washington, is awarded a $26,417,062 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract provides 24 environmental testing systems that simulate the effects of climatic, induced thermal, dynamic and loads environments. The environmental testing systems support the development, design, environmental qualification, airworthiness, product improvement and failure investigations of Department of Defense weapon and target systems. The scope of this requirement is to design, manufacture, test and install the environmental testing systems. Support services include lead system integration, building and laboratory design specifications support, project management, equipment installation and training. Work will be performed in Burlington, Washington (50%); and China Lake, California (50%), and is expected to be completed in January 2024. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $26,417,062 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, Point Mugu, California, is the contracting activity (N68936-21-C-0032). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Puerto Rico Apparel Manufacturing Corp.,** Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $12,775,524 modification (P00026) exercising the second one-year option period of one-year base contract SPE1C1-19-D-1127 with four one-year option periods for various types of coats and trousers. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Location of performance is Puerto Rico, with a Jan. 15, 2022, ordering period end date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2022 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. San Antonio Light House for the Blind,*** San Antonio, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $8,295,000 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for trousers. This is a one-year base contract with two one-year option periods. Location of performance is Texas, with a Jan. 13, 2022, ordering period end date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2022 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-21-D-B101). *Small business **Economically disadvantaged woman-owned small business in historically underutilized business zones ***Mandatory source https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2471330/source/GovDelivery/

  • Cyberattack Group 'Awaken Likho' Targets Russian Government with Advanced Tools

    8 octobre 2024 | International, C4ISR, Sécurité

    Cyberattack Group 'Awaken Likho' Targets Russian Government with Advanced Tools

    Awaken Likho shifts tactics, using MeshCentral in cyberattacks targeting Russian government agencies and industries.

  • Congress injects millions of dollars to advance next-gen combat vehicle technology

    26 décembre 2019 | International, Terrestre

    Congress injects millions of dollars to advance next-gen combat vehicle technology

    By: Jen Judson WASHINGTON — While essentially killing the U.S. Army's plan to competitively acquire a replacement for the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Congress in its fiscal 2020 defense spending package is injecting more than $100 million to fund the advancement of next-generation combat vehicle technology and is allocated another couple hundred million dollars for technology that will benefit related efforts. The second top modernization priority is the Army's next-generation combat vehicle, and the service's first major move toward modernizing its combat vehicle fleet was to replace the Bradley. But that hasn't gone according to plan after the Army received only one bid from General Dynamics Land Systems in its optionally manned fighting vehicle, or OMFV, competition to replace the Bradley in October. While the Army hasn't said how it plans to proceed, Congress cut $172.8 million from the service's budget request for OMFV, making it appear impossible to fund a competitive prototyping effort. While the Army considers its next steps to replace the Bradley fleet, it's not stopping other technology development efforts to improve its current and future combat vehicle fleets. And congressional appropriators are adding $145 million into next-generation combat vehicle technology development funds on top of the Army's request for $379 million. Under NGCV technology development, Congress is peppering funding into prototyping energy-smart autonomous ground systems, highly electrified vehicles and autonomous vehicle mobility accounts. More funding is being applied to additive metals, manufacturing, structural thermoplastics and advanced materials development to make vehicles more survivable on the the battlefield. Additional funding is included for protection from rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices, and money will go toward modeling and simulation efforts. Under advanced technology development for NGCV, Congress is adding funding for additive manufacturing to include using it to develop jointless hull technology, hydrogen fuel cells and an ATE5.2 engine. The Army will also get more money to develop carbon fiber and graphite foam technology as well as advanced high strength and lightweight steels. The service will also fund combat-vehicle weight-reduction efforts, additive manufacturing of critical components and advanced water-harvesting technology. Congressional appropriators also added funding for Humvee technology development to include augmented reality systems, a health usage monitoring system, autonomy, torque monitoring and automotive enhancements. More funding was added for NGCV virtual and physical prototyping, too. While not specifically allocated toward NGCV technology development, Congress also has added $246.4 million in ground technology development funding that could apply to future vehicles. That funding includes more work on additive manufacturing to include cold spray technology, materials research including polymers for lightweight armor, protection against the elements and threats, and alternative power development. More plus-ups include funding for sensors for underground detection and also urban subterranean mapping technology as well as unmanned aircraft system-mounted hostile threat detection. While the Army's plan to field a Bradley replacement may be in flux, the service is also looking further into the future at what could ultimately replace its M1 Abrams tank, for example. The technology development work being done within the service now will help paint a picture of what that future vehicle could look like as well as replacements for other combat vehicles in the fleet. https://www.defensenews.com/land/2019/12/23/congress-injects-millions-to-advance-next-gen-combat-vehicle-technology/

Toutes les nouvelles