U.S. Special Operations Command picks ViaSat Small Tactical Terminals for infantry communications
MacDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., 15 Aug. 2014. U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) needed small networking terminals to link ground vehicles, small boats, ships, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). They found their solution from ViaSat Inc. in Carlsbad, Calif.
Officials of the SOCOM Directorate of Procurement announced plans this week to buy five of ViaSat's Small Tactical Terminals (STTs) for use as aircraft radio that supports two channel simultaneous operation. No other company has the same kind of technology, officials say.
Companies whose leaders believe they have networking products that would meet or exceed SOCOM's requirements should email their interest and capabilities no later than 25 Aug. 2014 to SOCOM's Leatrice Frederick at [email protected].
ViaSat engineers developed the Link 16/Secure UHF Line-of-Sight (LOS) Small Tactical Terminal (STT) KOR-24 together with Harris Corp. to merge air and ground situational awareness at the tactical edge.
Related: Three companies win contracts to upgrade MIDS-LVT situational awareness terminals
Packaged in a small, lightweight, ruggedized form factor, the STT brings mobile network connectivity to tactical warfighters and disadvantaged platforms such as ground vehicles, small boats, ships, helicopters, and UAVs.
Interoperable with the Multifunction Information Distribution System (MIDS) Link 16 and UHF Data Radios, the STT enables users to exchange secure situational awareness information and critical data communications with allied air, land, and sea platforms over Link 16 or UHF to help maintain the tactical picture and avoid blue-on-blue engagements, ViaSat officials say.
The STT combines Link 16 technology from ViaSat with Harris UHF radio heritage to provide interoperability with MIDS Link 16 terminals, JTIDS, or UHF data radio systems deployed around the world. This device also supports all TADIL J network messages, including Network Enabled Weapon (NEW) messages.
Related: SPAWAR aims at upgrading MIDS LVT terminals to comply with JTRS software and protocols
Infantry warfighters and disadvantaged nodes can use the STT to deliver mission-critical connectivity and total battlefield visibility.
For more information contact ViaSat online at www.viasat.com, or U.S. Special Operations Command at www.socom.mil.
More information on submitting alternative networking technology is online at https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/USSOCOM/SOAL-KB/H92222-12-C-0060/listing.html.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
