Naval Warfare Systems News

The Navy's fifth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite has reached operational orbit and has successfully deployed its arrays and antennas. On Oct. 22, the MUOS team raised the MUOS-5 satellite to an operationally-suitable orbit. The team completed a series of deployments of the satellite's solar arrays and antennas, with the last occurring successfully Oct. 30. MUOS-5 launched June 24 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and experienced a failure of its orbit raising propulsion system that halted the satellite's transfer orbit maneuver to its geosynchronous test orbit. The MUOS team ensured the satellite remained stable, safe, and under positive control while it investigated the issue and examined options.

SeeByte, creator of smart software for unmanned maritime systems, said it will demonstrate software solutions for unmanned systems as part of the Royal Navy’s Unmanned Warrior exercise. The exercise will feature more than 50 vehicles, sensors and systems and aims to demonstrate never-seen-before capabilities in the field of autonomy and unmanned systems. SeeByte’s software forms the core components of the Hell Bay 4 and MCM Challenge elements of Unmanned Warrior. The aim of these exercises is to develop and push the capabilities of autonomous systems…

After a two-day delay due to tropical storm conditions, the Navy's fourth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite launched at 6:18 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 41. MUOS-4, whose signal was acquired approximately three hours after launch, completes the initial operational constellation and provides near global network coverage for warfighters and combatant commanders. This array allows mobile forces, including submarines, surface ships and aircraft, to communicate around the world via the narrowband spectrum. User communities that will primarily benefit include ground forces at the individual soldier level but also include members of all services and special forces.

Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) integrated a system of systems operability testing (SOT) capability for combatant ships onboard USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), which just completed an availability and sea trial period utilizing the new SOT combat readiness testing, March 6. SOTs are part of ensuring interdependent command and control systems work seamlessly. Combat systems command and control is referred to as C5I and encompasses everything C4I (command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence) does, but includes combat systems. SPAWAR Fleet Readiness Directorate (FRD) along with associated Program Executive Offices (PEOs) oversee many of these C4I and C5I systems onboard Navy ships…

The Navy's third Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite was launched today at 8:04 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 41. This communications satellite will significantly improve capability for Navy and Department of Defense tactical operators. Over the next several days, the satellite will transition to its geosynchronous orbit location 22,000 miles above Earth. Its solar arrays and mesh antennas will then be deployed and on-orbit testing will begin for eventual commissioning into service. Upon acceptance for operational use, MUOS 3 along with MUOS 1 and 2 already on-orbit, will provide communications coverage to more than three-quarters of the globe.

General Dynamics Mission Systems makes its debut as General Dynamics' newest business unit at the Surface Navy Association's (SNA) 27th National Symposium. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems and General Dynamics C4 Systems combined to form General Dynamics Mission Systems on January 1, 2015. "This restructuring has allowed us to create a real powerhouse. We are stronger together and offer a more robust portfolio of products, services and solutions that help customers successfully execute their missions in today's dynamic environment," said Chris Marzilli, president of General Dynamics Mission Systems. "Our exhibits at SNA highlight our collective capabilities from which the U.S. General Dynamics Mission Systems will deliver greater capability more efficiently.

U.S. Navy military and civilian engineers are preparing the latest military communications satellite for a planned Jan. 20 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The satellite is part of MUOS, or Mobile User Objective System, which operates like a smartphone network from space, vastly improving secure satellite communications for mobile U.S. forces. Unlike its predecessor system, MUOS provides users a global, on-demand, beyond-line-of-sight capability to transmit and receive high-quality voice and mission data from a high-speed Internet Protocol-based system.

Interactive software that can dramatically cut the time it takes to plan safe submarine missions is crossing over to the surface fleet and is being installed this month on the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), officials announced Dec. 16. Sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the technology adds speed and precision the process of finding the best routes around hazards in waterways around the world. Sailors spend days or even weeks planning a successful navigation route for a mission. They collect maps and charts, analyze them, double check them and cross reference information that comes in various hard copy and digital forms.

General Dynamics C4 Systems’ cyber-defense products team recently delivered the 100,000th TACLANE®-Micro (KG-175D) in-line network encryptor to the U.S. Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR). SPAWAR develops, delivers and sustains communications capabilities for warfighters, keeping them connected wherever they are around the world. Introduced in 2007, the rugged TACLANE-Micro is one of the most popular in-line network encryptor certified by the National Security Agency (NSA) to protect information classified Top Secret and below. The TACLANE-Micro provides cyber defense for networks operating in U.S. government agencies, embassies and military command and operation centers worldwide.

For a second year, members of the Coast Guard Research and Development Center, based in New London, Connecticut, make their way to the large ice floes of the Arctic Ocean to conduct research and test new equipment and technologies with the aim of expanding our knowledge and enhancing our ability to respond to potential hazards and emergencies brought on by increased vessel traffic through the region. It’s a mission as big and as important as the Arctic itself and one they couldn’t do alone. When RDC members depart for the Arctic, they do so aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Healy, a 420-foot icebreaker homeported in Seattle, Wash., that serves as a perfect platform for conducting Arctic research.

A team of scientists from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Research and Development Center (RDC) will depart from Seward, Alaska, for a technology evaluation in the Arctic aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Healy Aug. 8, the Coast Guard announced. According to the USCG, the RDC is leading a multiagency team to support Arctic Shield 2014, a 17th Coast Guard District initiative. The purpose of their month-long evaluation is to improve USCG capabilities in the Arctic region, specifically in the areas of boat operations, communications, navigational safety and oil spill response.

A team of scientists from the Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) is to depart shortly from Seward, Alaska, for a technology evaluation in the Arctic aboard the Cutter 'Healy informs USCG. The RDC is leading a multi-agency team to support Arctic Shield 2014, a 17th Coast Guard District initiative. The purpose of their month-long evaluation is to improve Coast Guard capabilities in the Arctic region, specifically in the areas of boat operations, communications, navigational safety and oil spill response. “The RDC plays a key role in charting the service’s future efforts in the Arctic by evaluating new and emerging technologies for applicability to Coast Guard operations in a harsh and remote environment,” said Capt. Dennis Evans, commanding officer of the RDC.

Keeping warfighters connected at all times is essential to mission success and is the driving force behind the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) and Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic (SPAWARSYSCEN Atlantic). Alion Science and Technology, a global engineering, technology and operational solutions company, supporting SPAWARSYSCEN Atlantic in several high-priority projects, has opened a new Charleston, S.C. office to improve access to Alion resources. An official ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Monday, November 18, 2013 to unveil the facility located at 2442 Remount Road, Suite 200 in North Charleston. Chairman and CEO Dr.

In the latest announcement of US Department of Defense, Navy, contracts, Huntington Ingalls Inc. and Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. Huntington Ingalls Inc., Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $7,319,933 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-12-C-2101) for planning and design yard functions for standard Navy valves in support of nuclear-powered submarines. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by September 2014. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Charlottesville, Va., is being awarded an $8…

The Department of Defense award Metron Inc. a contract for development of a large displacement unmanned undersea vehicle (LDUUV). Metron, Inc., of Reston, Va.,is being awarded a $7,287,619 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract  to include in-lab integration and testing of autonomy and mission planning software with bench test hardware selected for deployment on the LDUUV. This one-year contract includes two, one-year options which, if exercised, would bring the potential, cumulative value of this contract to an estimated $18,317,018. Work will be performed in Reston, Va., (80 percent), and Alameda, Calif.(20 percent), and work is expected to be completed March 26, 2014. If options are exercised work will continue through March 2016.

Huntington Ingalls Industries' subsidiary AMSEC contracted to support submarine & surface ship new construction. AMSEC LLC subsidiary has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR). The contract is in support of design, acquisition, production, integration, testing, installation and configuration management of certified C5ISR capabilities (command, control, communications, computers, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), with a specific focus on submarine and surface ship new construction. AMSEC was one of several contractors awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract that contains a one-year base period with four one-year option periods which…

W R Systems, Ltd. in Norfolk has been awarded the second option year on its navigation and interior communications contract in support of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic. This modification increases the contract ceiling from $54,462,137.76 to $82,562,920 and extends the period of performance through October 7, 2012. WRSystems has supported SPAWAR Atlantic’s requirements for In-Service Engineering (ISEA) support services for navigation and interior communication systems for the past 15 years.

Science Applications International Corp., Mclean, Va., is being awarded a $10,647,009 modification to a previously awarded, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N66001-11-C-4116) for the Deep Sea Operations Program to introduce surveillance that operates at extreme ocean depths to detect quiet submarines. The exercising of this 15-month option brings the cumulative value of this contract to an estimated $12,199,237. Work will be conducted at contractor facilities located in Arlington, Va. (27 percent); Long Beach, Miss. (27 percent); San Diego, Calif. (22 percent); Austin, Texas (17 percent); Germantown, Md. (six percent); and Melbourne, Fla. (one percent). Work is expected to be completed April 11, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

Science Applications International Corporation announced it was awarded a prime contract by the U.S. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) to produce the Battle Force Tactical Network (BFTN) system. The contract has a one-year base period of performance, four one-year options, and a contract value of approximately $57 million, if all options are exercised. Work will be performed in Sterling, Va. As the Navy's Information Dominance Systems Command, SPAWAR designs, develops and deploys advanced communications and information capabilities. The BFTN system provides secure connectivity to the maritime operational environment for Navy and joint forces.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.,a leading National Security Solutions provider, has announced that it was on the Booz Allen Hamilton winning team to provide various services to support the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific). Such services will include: Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence systems engineering support as well as Command and Intelligence Systems Analysis, Concept Definition, Interface Requirements and System Development and Design for Implementation, Integration, Interoperability, Documentation, Upgrades and Training. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.is a specialized National Security technology business providing mission critical products…

SPAWAR supports aircraft carrier 'USS Harry S. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) cyber security inspection support team helps prepare USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)  for its upcoming shipboard cyber security inspection scheduled for early August. The SPAWAR team provides Sailors assistance with their shipboard information technology and cyber capabilities. During each stage of the process, SPAWAR observes and provides liaison support to the fleet while Navy Cyber Forces and U.S. Fleet Cyber Command conduct their assist and inspection respectively.

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is committed to development of alternative energy sources, moves ahead with new research effort. The Energy Systems Technology and Evaluation Program (ESTEP) that has started in FY13 is bringing together key players during a five-year period to conduct real-world tests on advanced energy technologies at Navy and Marine Corps installations. Addressing the recent Naval Energy Forum in Washington, DC, Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder said: "The lifeblood of innovation is new ideas…

Digital Modular Radios by General Dynamics to anchor communications for new U.S. Navy ships and submarines. The U.S. Navy has ordered an additional 53 General Dynamics-built AN/USC-61(C) four-channel Digital Modular Radios (DMR) for use aboard new Navy ships, submarines and inshore sites. In addition to the new radios, existing DMR hardware will be modified to accommodate networking waveforms owned by the government. This order exercises an option on a contract awarded to General Dynamics in 2010. The option has a total potential value of $35 million. General Dynamics has delivered more than 500 DMR radios to the Navy. The radio is capable of simultaneous, secure short-range and global communications on any of its four channels.