General Dynamics
Awarded US$ 9 Million Contract For Satellite Communication Encryption And
Telemetry Technologies
(9 July 2008) General Dynamics C4
Systems has been awarded a US$ 9.2 million contract option to continue the
development, qualification and certification of a National Security Agency
(NSA) approved encryption module that will be used to secure telemetry,
tracking and control of Department of Defense satellites.
The
option modifies a contract initially awarded to General Dynamics in July 2006,
which brings the total contract value to US$ 19.3 million.
The program's
initial critical design review is complete and the current contract phase is
focused on system development, qualification and certification. It is scheduled
for completion during the fourth quarter of 2009. Production will be undertaken
under a subsequent contract action, award of which is anticipated in
2009.
The contract is through the U.S. Air Force's Telemetry, Tracking
and Commanding KG-327 program, formerly known as Aerospace Vehicle Equipment -
Increment One (AVE I1). The KG-327 program is part of the National Security
Agency's initiative to modernise information security technologies and devices
used on future Department of Defense satellite programs.
"Developing
information assurance technologies and systems that can take the stress of
space operations over the next 30 to 40 years requires cutting-edge
technologies, engineering and systems integration," said John Cole, vice
president of Information Assurance at General Dynamics C4 Systems. "These new
encryption modules and systems will enable mission commanders to program
security to match mission requirements as well as protect satellites from
unauthorised manipulation."
General Dynamics C4 Systems is the prime
contractor working with subcontractor SafeNet Mykotronx of Belkamp, Md. The Air
Force Headquarters Cryptologic Systems Group of San Antonio, Tex., is the
contracting authority for the program.
General Dynamics C4 Systems, a
business unit of General Dynamics, is a leading integrator of secure
communication and information systems and technology. The company specialises
in command and control, communications networking, space systems, computing and
information assurance for defence, government and select commercial customers
in the United States and abroad.
General Dynamics, headquartered in
Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 84,000 people world-wide and had 2007
revenue of US$ 27.2 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical
information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems,
armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business
aviation.
(source: General Dynamics C4 Systems)
