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Data Link Solutions MIDS-LVT Terminal to Provide Coalition Forces Real-Time Situational Awareness

Dépèche transmise le 24 septembre 2009 par Business Wire

Data Link Solutions MIDS-LVT Terminal to Provide Coalition Forces Real-Time Situational Awareness

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Data Link Solutions (DLS), a joint venture of Rockwell Collins and BAE Systems, will provide real-time situational awareness to Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and coalition forces under two recent awards for Multifunctional Information Distribution System Low-Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT).

The supplemental awards from the U.S. Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command are in addition to the first DLS Lot 10 contract announced in June 2009 and have a combined value of $15.4 million. The total value of the DLS Lot 10 contract is now $44.1 million.

MIDS-LVT was developed by a multinational consortium to provide Link 16 capability at a lower weight, volume and cost. Link 16 provides real-time data communications, situational awareness and navigation and, in some cases, digital voice, all in a jam-resistant, crypto-secured package.

The awards include terminals for other U.S. platforms such as Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN), F/A-18 Hornet, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and Foreign Military Sales. Specifically, Pakistan has designated DLS as the MIDS-LVT terminal provider for its F-16 aircraft fleet. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has increased its directed source award to DLS. The additional terminals will be installed on U.S. and international platforms including the F-16 and Typhoon.

“This contract broadens DLS’ base in the Mideast with Saudi Arabia and the inclusion of Pakistan -- pivotal players in the region and our partners for peace,” said Steve Overbeck, DLS Director. “Both countries now will be assured of access to all the MIDS family of products and ancillary equipment.”

The awards also include additional MIDS LVT-2/11 Terminals for U.S. applications and customers including the Air Force Participating Test Unit (AFPTU), Submarine Integration Program Office PMW 770 and Pocket J ground stations. The MIDS LVT-2/11 is specifically designed for U.S. Army Patriot Information Coordination Central and Battery Command Posts, Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control Units, and surface launched missiles.

Work will be performed in Wayne, N.J., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is expected to be completed by December 2010. The MIDS program is managed by the U.S. Navy MIDS Program Office in San Diego, Calif.

About Data Link Solutions

Data Link Solutions was established in 1996 by two of the world leaders in military communications, Rockwell Collins and BAE Systems, to pursue next generation Link 16 applications. DLS is a leading supplier of Link 16 terminals and software, as well as logistics and support services for air, land and sea-based platforms with a heritage of more than 20 years of Link 16 design and production experience with more than 4,000 Link 16 systems delivered worldwide. DLS has provided MIDS terminals for more than 40 different platforms in 28 countries with product offerings that include the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System Class 2 family, the Multi-functional Information Distribution System (MIDS) LVT Low Volume Terminal and LVT-3 Fighter Data Link, MIDS LVT-2, MIDS-On-Ship, the URC-138 Link 16 terminal, and various country-unique data links.

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