Bringing Home the BACN to Front-Line Forces
Related Stories: Americas - USA, C4ISR, Contracts - Awards, Electronics - General, Fighters & Attack, IT - Networks & Bandwidth, Interoperability, New Systems Tech, Northrop-Grumman, Other Corporation, Signals Radio & Wireless, Specialty Aircraft, UAVs
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In late June 2009, the USAF awarded Northrop Grumman Defense Mission Systems Inc., of San Diego, CA an urgent requirement contract for its Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) System. At present, Northrop Grumman will help the USAf deploy BACN in 4 Bombardier BD-700 Global Express (see also BACN-modified photo) ultra-long-range business jets for immediate fielding, and in 2 RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 20 UAVs for sustained deployment through 2015.
BACN is an airborne communications relay that extends communications ranges, bridges between radio frequencies, and “translates” among incompatible communications systems. That may sound trivial, but on a tactical level, it definitely isn’t…
- The BACN System
- Contracts & Key Events
The BACN System
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BACN provides a high-speed, Internet protocol (IP)-based airborne network infrastructure that that extends communications ranges, bridges between radio frequencies, and “translates” among incompatible communications systems – including both tactical and civil cellular systems. Using BACN, a Special Forces soldier on the ground could use a civil cell phone to speak to a fighter pilot in the cockpit. BACN supports seamless movement of imagery, video, voice and digital messages, with support for waveforms that include SINCGARS, DAMA, EPLRS, SADL, Link 16, and IP-based networking connectivity using TTN, TCDL technology, CLIP, and 802.11b. Northrop Grumman’s joint translator/forwarder (JXF), originally developed for US Joint Forces Command, is to accomplish digital-message transformation.
That kind of system can be especially useful in rugged terrain that block line-of-sight communications, in combined civil/military situations, or when different services or even different countries are operating side by side in the field. Afghanistan meets all of those criteria, an so do some aspects of operations in Iraq.
There are even reports that BACN may be installed in the F-22 Raptor as a communications gateway that would solve some of that platform’s issues; releases concerning the JEFX 08 exercises were vague on this subject. BACN was developed under a Department of Defense Microelectronic Activity contract (#H94003-04-D-0005), as part of the Interim Gateway Program.
As of 2006, the Northrop Grumman BACN team included:
- Northrop Grumman’s Defense Mission Systems, Space Technology, Integrated Systems and Information Technology sectors
- NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX
- Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, IA
- Raytheon Solipsys in Laurel, MD
- L3 Communications in Salt Lake City, UT
- Qualcomm Inc. in San Diego, CA
- ViaSat Inc. in Carlsbad, CA
Contracts and Key Events
Unless otherwise specified, contracts are issued by the 653d ELSG/PK, Hanscom Air Force Base, MA to Northrop Grumman Defense Mission Systems, Inc., in San Diego, CA.
Sept 14/09: A $35.5 million contract to provide the rapid fielding and support of the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node System. At this time no money has been obligated; it will be allocated as needs arise (FA8726-09-C-0010, P00003).
June 24/09: A $276.3 million cost-plus-fixed-fee urgent requirement contract for its Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) System. At this time, $97.8 million has been obligated by the The 653rd Electronic Systems Group at Hanscom Air Force Base, MA (FA8726-09-C-0010).
The contract will fund fielding in 3 long-range Bombardier BD-700 Global Express jets, and 2 Global Hawk RQ-4B Block 20 UAVs. It will also fund the company’s support for continuing operations of the existing BACN-equipped BD-700, which the Air Force deployed to the front lines in December 2008. See also Northrop Grumman release.
