Army Selects EMS Satcom Broadband eNfusion Line Of Equipment For Blackhawk Helicopters
The U.S. Army Program Manager's Office for Tactical Operation Centers/Air and Missile Defense, Command and Control Systems (PMOTOCs/AMDCCS) has tested and selected the division's eNfusion line of equipment to provide real-time satellite-based communications in its EUH-60 Blackhawk Helicopters in a contract worth approximately $2.5 million. The Army Airborne Command and Control System (A2C2S), hosted in these helicopters, requires broadband communications for command and control of operations both on the ground and in the air.
"New command and control operational requirements dictate the need for bandwidth that the older Army infrastructures cannot support," said Sean Gannon, an Avionics Engineer at SAIC (Science Application International Corporation). "EMS SATCOM's Inmarsat-based terminal provides sufficient bandwidth to securely carry multiple voice, video or data channels simultaneously – a key capability for effective command and control."
In addition to the demand for real-time data, an important consideration was mitigating risk to air crew and other personnel, while also achieving the required performance. The options for placement of such equipment on a helicopter are limited. Attaching the system to the frame of the aircraft can cause signal blockage and placement of the equipment in the cabin can expose crew and passengers to possible radiation hazards. The AMT-50 mechanically steered antenna addressed those concerns. Small and light enough to be mounted on the engine door, away from the cabin, it provides reliable signal strength virtually anywhere in the world, even during the most difficult flying maneuvers.
"We are very pleased to be working with the U.S. Army's Aviation Applied Technology
Directorate (AATD)," said Stephen Newell, director of Government sales for EMS SATCOM. "The system that's been put together is rugged, yet light and easy to install, and well-suited to the requirements of A2C2S."
Based at Fort Eustis, Virginia, AATD's Rapid Prototyping Division was tasked to develop and integrate a system to meet PM-TOCs/AMDCCS requirements for high bandwidth satellite communication's capability. The EUH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were outfitted with EMS SATCOM's eNfusion HSD-128 high-speed data terminal, AMT-50 antenna, and an off-theshelf, but custom-mounted radome. Working with AATD, SAIC provided subject matter expertise in the areas of radio frequency (RF) communications and electrical engineering. The majority of Inmarsat equipment was purchased through Atlas Telecom Services, who have also provided Inmarsat functionality expertise, electrical engineering and system testing support.
"In our experience, our equipment is reliable and rugged, and performs under the uncompromising conditions of the battlefield," said Senior Vice President and General Manager Dr. Neil Mackay. "This is a transformational communication solution for the U.S. Army and its selection of our technology hallmarks the importance of combining commercial and military Satcom components to meet the operational needs of the military."
"We are pleased to have been able to work with the GSA Federal Technology Services (FTS) office to make the eNfusion product line available to US Government Agencies via a convenient Small Business contracting vehicle" said Craig Poyner, Vice President for Atlas's Airborne Division.
SOURCE: EMS Technologies, Inc.