A team led by
Lockheed Martin , has submitted a
proposal for the Risk Reduction and System Definition effort of the
Transformational Communications MILSATCOM (TCM) Space Segment. The program
represents the next step toward transitioning the Department of Defense
wideband and protected communications satellite architecture into a single
network comprised of multiple satellite, ground, and user segment components.
“Lockheed Martin is proud to be part of this critical national initiative,
and we look forward to working with our customer to define an innovative, best
value TCM solution,” said Rick Skinner, vice president, transformational
communications for Lockheed Martin Space Systems. “We have established an
outstanding team, and submitted a proposal that builds on our legacy of
providing high-speed, protected military telecommunications systems and our
networking experience to make TCM the wireless, over-the-horizon extension of
the Global Information Grid,”
The Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman team includes Rockwell Collins,
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, L-3 Com, Stratogis, Cisco, C&H
Associates, and ViaSat in an effort to bring together industry expertise in
all segments of the end-to-end architecture. Lockheed Martin Space Systems,
Sunnyvale, Calif. will serve as the prime contractor and systems integrator
for the TCM Space Segment effort. Northrop Grumman will provide the satellite
payloads.
The proposal submitted today is for the Risk Reduction and System
Definition (RR&SD) contract scheduled to be awarded to two industry teams by
the MILSATCOM Joint Program Office, Air Force Space and Missile Systems
Center, at Los Angeles AFB, Calif. in December 2003. The Lockheed
Martin/Northrop Grumman proposal provides the foundation from which to
transition to the final Acquisition and Operations Phase scheduled to be
awarded in 2006.
The Transformational Communications MILSATCOM will provide significantly
improved, highly mobile protected communications to support the future
battlefield. “The TCM program will leverage the billion dollar investments
made over the last decade on several enabling technologies such as laser
communications and modern networking protocols,” said Stuart Linsky, program
manager, transformational communications for Northrop Grumman Space
Technology. “We have analyzed the challenges in delivering a global network
where bandwidth is not a constraint and are confident that our disciplined
approach to technology maturation and risk reduction will allow the government
to deploy this capability as soon as possible.”
The system will network mobile warfighters, sensors, weapons,
communications command and control nodes whether located on UAVs, piloted
aircraft, on the ground, in the air, at sea or in space.
TCM is one of several elements that make up the Transformational
Communications architecture that the national security space community, in
collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has
developed over the last two years.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin employs about 125,000
people worldwide and is a global enterprise principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced
technology systems, products, and services. The Corporation reported 2002
sales of $26.6 billion.
Media Contacts: Steve Tatum, 408-742-7531; e-mail, Stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com
For more information about Lockheed Martin Space Systems, see our web site at
http://lmms.external.lmco.com/
