Boeing Showcases
Operational TSAT System during Critical Review
(21 June 2007) Boeing and its industry
team-mates recently demonstrated the advanced capabilities the Transformational
Satellite Communications System (TSAT) will offer the nation's warfighters
during a critical Space Segment Design Review (SSDR).
"The
demonstration was as real as TSAT can be at this point in its lifecycle - it
used real hardware and software, real interfaces and real algorithms," said
Howard Chambers, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and
Intelligence Systems. "The Boeing TSAT Team proved its capabilities by
demonstrating a system that is meeting tomorrow's requirements, building on
yesterday's successes and operating today."
Funded by Boeing's "Team
TSAT," the demonstration to more than 500 government and industry officials
implemented all of the U.S. Air Force-defined TSAT critical missions, including
strategic; communications-on-the-move; and airborne intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance (AISR).
During the demonstration's fictional
storyline, virtual warfighters used a developmental Joint Tactical Radio System
to communicate live with the AISR sources, between tactical groups and within
their own mobile ad hoc networks. Testers also demonstrated TSAT's ability to
bridge these networks with seamless connectivity while controlling strategic
assets. The storyline included Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles, space
radar systems, airborne command centres and deployed warfighters.
"The
goal of the demonstration was to graphically depict the capabilities TSAT will
deliver to the warfighter," Chambers said. "We are building on our extensive
background in providing MILSTAR payloads, our experience fielding the only
space-based network, Spaceway, and our unprecedented Internet heritage. This
experience, along with proven, integrated technologies, ensures a low-risk
approach for our U.S. Air Force customer."
The demonstration follows
other major successful milestones, including last year's demonstration of
delivering MP-3 files, streaming video multi-cast and voice over Internet
protocol services using the Boeing- and Hughes-built Spaceway satellite
currently in orbit. The Spaceway demonstration serves as an "existence proof"
for TSAT and confirms the operational maturity of many enabling
technologies.
The recent SSDR also featured a diverse exhibit hall that
included brass board-level hardware, demonstrations of TSAT functionality and
displays summarising risk reduction accomplishments.
The Boeing-led team
includes Cisco Systems, Hughes, IBM, Harris Corp., Ball Aerospace &
Technologies Corp., LGS Innovations, Raytheon, General Dynamics, L-3
Communications, BBN Technologies, EMS Technologies and SAIC.
A unit of
The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's
largest space and defence businesses specialising in innovative and
capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing
Integrated Defense Systems is a US$ 32.4 billion business with 72,000 employees
world-wide.
(source: Boeing)