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DID has covered the JTRS program before, from spiralling costs and project difficulties in the Cluster 1 and Cluster 5 programs to its potential as a combined radio/networking platform that offers seamless interoperability, modular design, and room to grow as the backbone of the U.S. military’s tactical communications systems.

Lockheed Martin has successfully completed a major system design review on the Airborne, Maritime and Fixed Station (AMF) Cluster of the military’s Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS) program. During the review, held from May 17-19, 2005, the company demonstrated key technologies that comprise the core of its proposed AMF JTRS solution, and laid out its planned architecture and design approach for the system. Officials from all four military services as well as the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Agency attended the review. Thus far, Lockheed claims that its multi-company team is on schedule and on budget.

Lockheed Martin leads a team of communications, systems and platform integration experts that is competing for the AMF JTRS program. The team, which also includes BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and numerous specialized subcontractors, was awarded a 15-month, $51 million pre-system design and development (Pre-SDD) contract in September of 2004. The Pre-SDD contract calls for the Lockheed Martin team to map out a proposed architecture and design for the AMF JTRS system and to define and demonstrate the key technologies that will be critical to the success of the program.

AMF JTRS is a transformational communications program to modernize the communications systems currently used by the Services on fixed and rotary wing aircraft, ground installations and a wide range of warships and submarines. AMF JTRS will replace aging, stove pipe radios with revolutionary new hardware and software that will allow pilots, sailors and commanders to communicate with any other friendly unit and to participate in Network-Centric Operations as a networked node. The JTRS family of radios will be fully interoperable with current and future communications systems, giving warfighters a flexible, reliable and seamlessly integrated global radio network.

The AMF JTRS program is managed jointly by the Air Force and Navy. Lockheed Martin is one of two teams competing for the full system design and development contract award, which is anticipated by the end of 2005. See also Lockheed Martin News Release (June 7/05) – Lockheed Martin Completes Major Milestone On Airborne, Maritime And Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio Systems Program