Satellite Technology Feature Article
January 07, 2009
DataPath Receives Order from U.S Army for Ka Band Conversion Kits
By Anshu Shrivastava, TMCnet Contributor
DataPath said that it has been awarded $100 million by the U.S. Army to manufacture and integrate Ka band conversion kits and provide spares kits.
The integration is expected to enable DataPath (News - Alert) Satellite Transportable Terminals (STTs) and other systems on the battlefield to operate using the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system.
“Using the increased SATCOM capacity provided by WGS is a critical capability for the U.S. military, and supporting that is central to DataPath’s role in developing innovative communications systems for war-fighters,” said Tom Dyer, chairman, president and CEO of DataPath.
Designed and built by DataPath, the satellite communications (SATCOM) terminals have been deployed by the U.S. Army for the Joint Network Node (JNN)/Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) program.
To support U.S. military operations worldwide, the WGS system increases the high-bandwidth communications capacity available. Company officials said that this is done by adding Ka and X band capacity to supplement limited military X band and commercial Ku band.
For the JNN/WIN-T program, officials said that this will be the first deployment of large numbers of WGS-capable. U.S. Army Strategic Command (ARSTRAT) has certified DataPath's Ka band solution for use on the WGS system.
As per this latest delivery order, DataPath is expected to provide and install Ka band conversion kits on approximately 800 deployed DataPath STTs and 18 Unit Hub SATCOM Trucks (UHSTs).
Additionally, officials said, DataPath will also provide spares kits for the retrofitted terminals. Plus, Company is expected to provide and install modem upgrades to JNN/WIN-T SATCOM terminals, including STTs, UHSTs and master reference terminals (MRTs).
“This latest agreement builds on our experience and success deploying JNN/WIN-T Increment One with the U.S. Army,” said Dyer, adding that it’s a significant win in response to our focused efforts to rapidly develop Ka band solutions.
For DataPath, the agreement is expected total as much as $225 million.
Duluth, Georgia-based DataPath is a provider of satellite-based network solutions. The company specializes in enabling video-intensive communications networks that are critical to the operations of military, civilian government and commercial organizations.
Last month, the company received two orders from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the U.S. Marine Corps respectively to manufacture and install dual-antennaDataPath DKET satellite communications (SATCOM) hubs in support of in Southwest Asia.
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Anshu Shrivastava is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Anshu's articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Michelle Robart
