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Raytheon Systems Co. in Reston, VA received a $5.1 million cost-plus award-fee contract modification for the Global Broadcast Service (GBS) program, DoD’s satellite-based system for distributing video, imagery, and other large data files to users around the world. The contract action directs Raytheon to build 44 Enhanced 88XR Receive Suites (RS).
The Global Broadcast Service uses a form of “push and store” to distribute high-bandwidth information for local relay, thereby relieving critical two-way SATCOM systems from having to handle every field request. To accomplish this, it “pushes” a high volume of packaged data to widely dispersed, low cost receive terminals.
In terms of GBS’ satellite technical architecture, it replaces the superhigh-frequency X-band payload with four 130-watt military Ka-band transponders. Data are transmitted through three spot-beam antennas on each spacecraft. Two of the beams each cover an area 500 nautical miles in diameter, and the third covers an area of 2000 nautical miles in diameter.
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Each E88XR RS consists of two transportable Receive Broadcast Manager (RBM) cases and one Next Generation Receive Terminal (NGRT), including unique GBS software. NGRTs are the antenna portion of a GBS Transportable Ground Receive Suite and are paired with the RBMs to allow the user to receive, decrypt, and access the GBS broadcast. The 44 RS are destined for multiple users. The US Marine Corp procured the majority of RS in this modification with 33 E88XR RS bound for their operational units and one additional NGRT.
Solicitation began May 2005, negotiations were complete August 2005, and work will be complete by May 2006. The Headquarters Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. issued the contract (F04701-97-C-0044, P00221).