SAN DIEGO, Calif., 5 Jan. 2006. L-3 Storm Control Systems announced today that it has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (LMSSC) to supply Assembly, Integration and Test (AI&T) software for the U.S. Air Force Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military satellite communications program.
AEHF is the successor to the Milstar secure communications system, whose capabilities were cited by the Department of Defense as essential to the U.S.-led coalition's success in Operation Iraqi Freedom. AEHF will deliver 10 times greater total capacity and channel data rates six times higher than that of Milstar II communications satellites.
L-3 Storm will provide the software for AI&T activities at LMSSC's Sunnyvale, Calif., location. Key features of the software include straightforward database integration, rapid development and validation of test sequences, automated report generation, dynamic limit generation, pre-test validation of test sequences and monitor and control of multiple test suites with diverse interfaces. Archiving, archive retrieval and data analysis are also integrated within the functionality of the InControl-NG software suite.
The software is being developed using L-3 Storm's latest integrated suite of products, InControl-NextGeneration (InControl-NG), a robust system designed to support satellite test and on-orbit operations. InControl-NG will provide the test executive for LMSSC's Satellite Check-Out and Universal Test System (SCOUTS) architecture.
LMSSC is developing SCOUTS as a universal AI&T platform. The long-term goal of SCOUTS is to support and accommodate the AI&T needs of future Lockheed Martin military, civil, and commercial satellite programs using a common design that is economically sustainable and easily tailored, embellished or upgraded to serve each new satellite program's specific needs with minimum non-recurring engineering expense.
"The selection of L-3 Storm for the SCOUTS program validates InControl-NG's flexibility to operate in multiple phases of a satellite mission, including satellite manufacturing and system test," said Jim Presnell, L-3 Storm's vice president of engineering. "L-3 Storm is pleased to be participating in this crucial activity with LMSSC on the AEHF program."
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion. For more information, see www.lockheedmartin.com.
L-3 Storm offers end-to-end solutions for spacecraft command and control, payload processing, satellite integration and system test as well as remote equipment monitor and control. L-3 Storm solutions are characterized by the ability of a single system to control constellations comprised of several different types and models of spacecraft. Customers include Boeing Satellite Systems, EADS Astrium, Inmarsat, several Lockheed Martin divisions, NASA, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Shin Satellite, Space Systems/Loral, Telespazio and the U.S. Air Force. For more information, see www.storm.com.
L-3 Storm integrated with L-3's Telemetry-West division in the beginning of 2005. This consolidation was the result of L-3 Communications' tremendous growth, and the new organizational structure enhances L-3's ability to serve the satellite command and control industry. L-3 Storm's products have been integrated into the existing product line structure at L-3 Telemetry-West's San Diego facility. L-3 Telemetry-West is the world's premier provider of airborne, ground and spaceborne payload and telemetry components and systems, as well as tactical intelligence receivers, military HF/SSB systems and microwave radios. For more information, see www.L-3Com.com/tw.
Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications is a leading provider of ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) systems, secure communications systems, aircraft modernization, training and government services. The company is a leading merchant supplier of a broad array of high technology products, including guidance and navigation, sensors, scanners, fuzes, data links, propulsion systems, simulators, avionics, electro optics, satellite communications, electrical power equipment, encryption, signal intelligence, antennas and microwave components.
L-3 also supports a variety of homeland security initiatives with products and services. Its customers include the departments of Defense and Homeland Security, selected U.S. government intelligence agencies, and aerospace prime contractors. For more information, see www.L-3Com.com.
