TeleCommunication Systems (TCS) has received a contract to supply maritime-stabilised very small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite systems along with associated engineering services to the US Army.
Issued under the global tactical advanced communication systems and services (GTACS) contract vehicle, the contract has a maximum potential value of $6.8m if all options are exercised.
Delivered as part of a comprehensive TCS TotalCom solution, the new command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) IP-based system features two Digisat International-supplied Intellian antenna subsystems, which enable automatic redundancy and switchover during outage periods.
Specifically, the maritime solution is expected to provide Army Watercraft Systems (AWS) with an updated electronics system for secure and non-secure communications to their vessels operating in major commercial sea routes and other areas of US naval operations.
TCS Government Solutions Group president Michael Bristol said: ”These advanced, commercial off-the-shelf maritime solutions are all backed by the reliable and efficient expert lifecycle support of our professional integrated logistics team."
The MIL-STD-167-1/MIL-STD-461 certified, Ku band terminal is capable of supporting the demanding tactical requirements for operations on the army’s logistics support vessels and landing craft.
TCS TotalCom ensures mission continuity through delivery of deployable, highly secure communication solutions and complete end-to-end managed services for converged voice, video and data solutions to organisations requiring seamless and secure connectivity between fixed sites and remote operations.
The acquisition is managed by the US Army Project Manager for the Warfighter Information Network – Tactical (PM WIN-T) Commercial Satellite Terminal Program for the US Army Product Manager Army Watercraft Systems (PM AWS).
TCS is a prime GTACS contract awardee, which has an estimated ceiling of $10bn over five years, starting in November 2012.
