One of two $3.4 million contracts representing Phase I of the Command and Control
System-Consolidated (CCS-C) program has been awarded to TRW Inc.
After a demonstration later this year of a proposed command and control
system to replace the aging segment currently supporting satellite
operations at Air Force Space Command, a single contractor will be chosen
for Phase II, an eight-year program with a potential value of more than $142
million.
Work on this contract, awarded by Air Force Space and Missile Systems
Center, Los Angeles, will be performed at TRW’s facility in Redondo Beach,
Calif. The TRW team includes San Jose, Calif.-based L3 Communications and
Melbourne, Fla.-based Harris Corporation.
“Building on our previous success with the LANCE program, which is
performing a similar mission, we will leverage a proven ground system
architecture that takes full advantage of commercial off-the-shelf hardware
and software products,” said Rick Witton, vice president and general manager
of TRW’s Integrated Information Technologies. “Our low-risk, open-system
COTS approach, combined with TRW’s long-term experience in building systems
to support space missions, will help the Air Force to achieve its goals of
reducing manpower and sustainment costs.”
Taking advantage of COTS hardware and software allows CCS-C to evolve as
new capabilities become available, thus avoiding obsolescence with the
system and architecture.
Demonstration of the proposed C2 system will take place at CERES (Center
for Research), Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colo. The test
system will validate its capabilities to command and control DSCS III and
Milstar military communications satellites.
TRW Inc. provides advanced technology products and services to the
automotive, aerospace, telecommunications and information technology markets
worldwide. TRW, which is celebrating its 100th year of operations during
2001, had year-end 2000 sales of $17.2 billion. For more information, visit
www.trw.com.
