General Dynamics Awarded $10M Navy Order
General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a task order to modernize the telephone switch systems for Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.; Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga.; and Naval Station Mayport, Fla. The award, from the U.S. Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), is valued at $10m. Work is expected to be completed in early 2009. Under the task order, General Dynamics will upgrade the existing switch systems with the latest Approved Products List (APL)-certified software and replace non-supportable elements within the voice network. General Dynamics will also install Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) for 5,000 users in the Jacksonville area.
MariTEL Discontinues Voice Network
After over 30 years of service to mariners across the United States, MariTEL is discontinuing Marine radio voice communications service, effective June 6, 2003, citing rising operating costs and declining service revenues. “MariTEL appreciates the opportunity to serve the marine industry over the years. I sincerely hope that MariTEL service has been useful and regret that this action is necessary,” said Dan Smith, President and CEO of MariTEL. “Over the past decade, the coastal radio station voice communications market has been eroded by the proliferation of public mobile services (cellular and PCS), satellite communications, and other commercial mobile radio services.
