BUSINESS BYTE

Signal, Jul 2007

Modernizing 911 (or Marines-The 911 system at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, is set for upgrade to a centralized, secure command and control capability. The Consolidated Emergency Response System (CERS) will leverage the current telecommunications infrastructure to transmit real-time information from diverse inputs to first responders. The tool integrates geographic information system images and digital mapping to supply emergency response personnel with an image of the location of the crisis. The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command awarded $4.7 million to Black Box Network Services, Herndon, Virginia, for the system. Installation of the CERS will be complete this fall.

Eglin Gets Tougher Fiber Optic Network-A 12-mile fiber optic cable network damaged by hurricanes is to be reconstructed and fortified. The new highly survivable, hurricane-resistant network at Eglin Air Force Base, located off the coast of Florida on Santa Rosa Island, will be able to survive a storm surge and overwash of 19 feet or more. Fiber optic communications supports the base's Range Information Grid for weapons research, testing and development. The $25 million task order to Multimax Incorporated, Herndon, Virginia, and MTC Technologies Incorporated. Dayton, Ohio, was awarded under the U.S. Air Force Network-Centric Solutions contract vehicle.

Peacekeeping Training Pursued-TO foster global capabilities for peacekeeping, the U.S. State Department is preparing to launch worldwide training of militaries and peacekeeping forces. The Global Peace Operations Initiative will offer multinational command post exercises, create training products and instruct trainers on how to train peacekeepers. Lessons learned from the Africa Contingency Operations Training Assistance program are being integrated into the initiative. The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract could be worth $200 million over five years. Two of the awardees under the contract are Northrop Grumman Technical Services, Herndon, Virginia, and L-3 Communications' subsidiary MPRI Incorporated, Alexandria, Virginia.

Ships Outfitted with Communications NetworksFuture guided missile destroyers (DDGs) will be constructed with shipwide communications networks. The USS William P. Lawrence will be equipped with a fiber optic data multiplex system that provides 100 megabits of bandwidth, while the design of the gigabit Ethernet data multiplex system will be completed for the USS Spriiance and the as-yet-unnamed DDG 112. Both networks are total information transfer tools that will manage data from the ships' navigation, steering control, damage control, machinery control, combat and internal communications systems. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems' C3 Networks division received the $7.1 million contract from the Naval Sea Systems Command. The company will carry out work on the project in Anaheim, California, and Arlington, Virginia; installation is expected to conclude by November 2011.

Pentagon Communications Upgrade-The physical remodeling and information technology modernization of the Pentagon is continuing with an award for the installation of voice over Internet protocol (VoIP). A carrier-grade multifunction VoIP switching platform will support Pentagon users with capabilities that include call processing, various classes of service such as priority service, necessary adjunct and back-office components, and maintenance of legacy equipment. General Dynamics Information Technology, Fairfax, Virginia, will carry out the work for the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems. This modification to an existing contract could be worth $18.4 million over three years and includes provisions for security capabilities and upgrades for audiovisual equipment.

Simulator Fidelity Solution-A research effort is developing a one-of-a-kind software-based fidelity assessment simulator tool (FAST) for comparing the fidelity of various aircraft simulators. FAST is conceived as an autonomous system that uses criteria such as mission requirements, pilot feedback, cost and risk analysis, simulator hardware and software, and biometrics to objectively evaluate simulators for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The tool will help the services get the highest value from their investment in simulation capabilities. Work on the Phase I Small Business Innovation Research contract is being performed by SDS International's Advanced Technologies Division, Orlando, Florida.

Contract for Wearable Color Display-A transparent eyewear display prototype could enable U.S. service members to view full-color tactical and strategic data. Incorporating light scanning technology, the display fits the form factor of protective eyewear or sunglasses and enables hands-free operation. Redmond, Washingtonbased Microvision Incorporated is integrating its proprietary ultra thin optical assembly and PicoP miniature laser projection engine to develop a smaller and lighter display than currently available. The prototype is expected to improve situational awareness and to relieve side effects experienced by troops due to excessive equipment weight. The $3.2 million contract calls for the design, creation, verification, testing and delivery of the product for assessment by several U.S. Defense Department program offices.