SIGNAL Connections

Portuguese Upgrade Mission System Avionics
Five Portuguese P-3C maritime surveillance aircraft will undergo full mission system avionics upgrades. The improvements incorporate electronic support measures, acoustics, communications, electro-optic and infrared systems. The work also will upgrade management hardware and software, including controls, displays and mission computers. The first modernized Portuguese Air Force P-3C aircraft are scheduled for delivery in late 2009. Portuguese military officials believe the modernization efforts will enhance the Air Force’s ability to meet multimission requirements. Lockheed Martin won the contract from the Portuguese Ministry of Defense for the upgrades. The award is valued at $141 million (€99.7 million). The P-3C is flown by more than 15 nations. Its mission uses include antisubmarine warfare; antisurface warfare; over-water or overland intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and network-centric warfare, such as command, control and communications. The platform also has the capabilities to conduct search and rescue, drug interdiction, airborne early warning and electronic warfare operations.

Homefront Help is SIGNAL Connections’ effort to support U.S. service members, veterans and their families. The column highlights programs that offer resources and assistance to the military community ranging from care packages to benefits and everything in between.

In that same spirit, Homefront Help presents opportunities for readers to donate time, offer resources and send words of thanks to those who sacrifice for freedom. Programs that provide services are listed in red. Opportunities for the public to reach out to service members are listed in blue. Each program description includes a link to the organization’s Web site, when available.

Veteran to Veteran
Veteran to Veteran was founded to prevent veterans’ needs from falling through the cracks. The organization was founded to help former service members without reinventing the wheel, so it built itself as a hub with spokes that reach out to available resources. By creating alliances with numerous service groups, Veteran to Veteran serves as a one-stop shop for those who served and their families to receive all the benefits and assistance available to them. The veteran service organization has nationwide outreach and can assist and facilitate the acquisition of services and benefits from numerous other agencies.

Support for Various Systems and U2
Advisory and assistance services support has been contracted for the 560th Aircraft Sustainment Group. Technical, analytical and travel support will be provided to improve policy development, management and sustainability to the operation of systems applicable to the U2 aircraft and associated sensors, systems and datalinks; the Global Hawk and Predator aircraft; the Distributed Common Ground System; the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System; measurement and signature intelligence/special projects; the Multi-Platform Common Data Link; the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion program; Intelligence Information, Command and Control, Equipment and Enhancements, or ICE2; and other stations such as the U.S. Army, Air National Guard and National Security Agency. Spectrum Communications Incorporated has received the indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity requirements acquisition contract worth $74.5 million. An estimated $8 million has been obligated. Warner Robins Air Logistics Center is the contracting authority for the five-year contract.

Information security professionals can assess their readiness to take certification exams.

Enterprisewide adoption of ITIL strategies replaces piecemeal approach in U.S. Air Force.

U.S. Joint Forces Command is taking advantage of new technologies to reach its constituencies where they live.

The future is now—just as new threats emerge.

Foundation Works Behind the Scenes in Preparation for West

One of the highlights of West 2008 in San Diego, which will take place February 5-7, and is co-sponsored by the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) and AFCEA, is the recognition of outstanding and deserving individuals during the event. The Educational Foundation plays a part in this process by supporting the selection process for the Copernicus Award winners and the Enlisted Superior Performer award recipients.

The late Vice Adm. Art Cebrowski, USN, who was the Navy N6 in 1997, conceived of the Copernicus Award. The name for the award came from the Copernicus Architecture used as the blueprint for the future C⁴I structure of the Navy. Recipients are selected based on a major accomplishment in a C⁴I/information technology-related job. Each year, U.S. naval personnel review applications from the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard, including active duty and civilians, and select the award winners. The Educational Foundation works with a representative from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations to ensure timely nominations and then coordinates official notifications to the award recipients. This year, Lt. Cmdr. Erik G. Pittman, USN, a member of Vice Adm. Mark Edwards' N6 staff, played this pivotal role in the Copernicus Award process.

Winners are invited to attend West along with their commanding officers and their respective spouse or special guest. Copernicus winners receive their awards and are recognized during a special awards ceremony prior to the Awards Reception and Dinner held this year on February 5. The U.S. Naval Institute and AFCEA are honored to recognize individuals who continue to demonstrate in operations that Copernicus remains relevant today.

Tactical CommunicationsBridge
Establishing and maintaining an ad hoc communications network in rugged environments can challenge warfighters and first responders. The TCB-406 is a radio interoperability package consisting of a 10-port interoperability interface, integrated radios and an antenna system in a manportable case. Designed to be set up and operational within minutes, it includes a color liquid crystal display touchscreen, console dispatch operational interface, voice over Internet protocol streaming audio and network-based offsite control. For more information, visit www.tcb406.net.

Tantalum Capacitor
Embedded systems must be able to operate continuously for years without failure. This line of tantalum capacitors is designed for use in embedded control systems for industrial, defense, aerospace and telecommunications applications. For more information, visit www.avx.com.

Slim Industrial Ethernet Modem
Sometimes managers and administrators require remote access to data. The Remote Access Switch combines an industrial telephone modem with an industrial 5-port modem. The device features secure dial-in connections, point-to-point capability for dial-up connections and automatic dial-out on a trigger input. Connection speeds are up to 56 kilobits per second. For more information, visit www.sixnetswitch.com.

Simulation tool allows government agencies to practice keeping the skies safe.