The Wonders of Link 16 For Less: MIDS-LVTs

Sept 16/14: Talon HATE. Boeing Advanced Network & Space Systems, Phantom Works has completed the final design review for the USAF’s Talon HATE pod program, which is designed to enable existing fighters to share information with F-22s over stealth-friendly secure datalinks. The core of this effort integrates the same IFDL datalink used on F-22As with MIDS-JTRS, which can generate different waveforms concurrently. Fighters equipped with the Talon HATE pod can bridge the gap between the F-22A and everyone else, serving as a distribution node over more universal modes like Link-16. As a bonus, pod-equipped fighters also get IRST long-range infrared to find targets – a method that bypasses radar stealth. This is especially useful against low-flying cruise missiles.

Note that unarmed platforms like the BACN UAVs and business jets can already handle datalink bridging, but you wouldn’t take them into enemy airspace. Hence the fighter pod approach. Tactically, Talon HATE allows the F-22 to act as a “bird dog” forward observer of sorts, transmitting the position of enemy aircraft and key ground systems to pod-equipped legacy fighters, who share the data with the rest of the force. To the extent that legacy fighters employ new missiles with full 2-way datalinks and compatibility with F-22 retargeting, the F-22s could even serve as terminal guidance. The idea isn’t entirely new, and was demonstrated during the Northern Edge 2006 exercise when F-22s were used to find opponents whose positioning behind obstacles made them invisible to standard AWACS (q.v. Key Events, June 9-16/06). What’s new is the ability to do this without giving away the F-22’s position: Talon HATE is an initial effort, and may be followed by a “5-to-4” program.

F-15C air superiority fighters are Talon HATE’s initial platform, but MIDS-JTRS is being deployed on the US Navy’s multi-role F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, as is expected to spread to other fighters as a standard. Boeing is scheduled to deliver several Talon HATE systems to operational F-15C squadrons in 2015. Sources: Boeing, “Boeing Completes Design Review for U.S. Air Force’s Talon HATE Program”.

Aug 19/14: TTNT. US SPAWAR in San Diego, CA issues a pair of contracts to add the Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) waveform to MIDS-JTRS, and take development through to Critical Design Review. Work is expected to be complete by Aug 19/17.

TTNT is designed to significantly increase operational Link-16 networks’ capacities, improve network performance, and provide more capable and flexible Link-16 network configurations. In concrete terms, it’s an IP-based, auto-forming mesh network that can easily admit over 200 new platforms (aircraft, UAVs, weapons, etc.) closing at up to Mach 8, so long as they have the right encryption and use TDMA transmissions. Dynamic TDMA-based networks usually have latency issues and are very complex; TTNT claims to have simplified this by using something called Statistical Priority-Based Multiple Access (SPMA) to automatically prioritize traffic. Communications satellite destroyed? No problem; indeed, that’s the point of TTNT. So long as TTNT-enabled platforms can transmit to each other, they have a network together and can share enemy positions, sensor data, or even help to enable automated take-off and landing. Optimum throughput is said to be about 10 Mbps of system traffic at a range of 300 nmi.

Data Link Solutions, LLC in Cedar Rapids, IA wins a $124.3 million multiple award contract modification, which provides the necessary scope increase. $11.6 million in FY 2014 US Navy RDT&E funds is committed immediately. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (30%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (70%) (N00039-10-D-0031).

ViaSat, Inc., Carlsbad, CA wins a $72.7 million multiple award contract modification, which provides the necessary scope increase. $11.6 million in FY 2014 US Navy RDT&E funds is committed immediately. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (N00039-10-D-0031).

Nov 4/13: Block 2. BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc. in Wayne, NJ receives a $48 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification for MIDS-LVT systems engineering and integration. This includes a corresponding delivery order for MIDS-LVT Block Upgrade 2 software and test equipment on behalf of the USA, France, Italy, Germany and Spain.

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ and is expected to be complete by March 2017. $1.6 million is committed immediately, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year on Sept 30/14. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-4 International Agreement, 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(4) (N00039-10-D-0060, #0015).

Nov 4/13: Block 2. ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA receives up to $39.2 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification for MIDS-LVT production and engineering services, including a delivery order for MIDS-LVT Block Upgrade 2 design and development on behalf of the United States.

Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA, and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/16. $1.3 million is committed immediately, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year on Sept 30/14. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) (N00039-10-D-0032, #0035).

Nov 4/13: Block 2. Data Link Solutions LLC in Cedar Rapids, IA receives up to $32.9 million as a cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification for MIDS-LVT production and engineering services, including a delivery order for MIDS-LVT Block Upgrade 2 development and retrofits on behalf of the USA.

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/16. $1.5 million is committed immediately, and these funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year on Sept 30/14. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) (N00039-10-D-0031, #0043).

Aug 5/13: US Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command in San Diego, CA issues $33.1 million in contracts for MIDS-LVTs.

ViaSat Inc. in Carlsbad, CA receives a $21.7 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. This delivery order combines purchases for the USA (47%), Australia (22%), Oman (16%) and Thailand (15%), and all funds are committed immediately. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%) and in various other locations worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by July 31/15. $980,030 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/13 (N00039-10-D-0032, #0031).

Data Link Solutions in Cedar Rapids, IA receives an $11.4 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. This delivery order combines purchases for the USA (71%), Poland (8%), Japan (8%), Australia (5%), UAE (5%) and Saudi Arabia (3%). All funds are committed immediately. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by July 31, 2015. $894,200 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/13 (N00039-10-D-0031, #0039).

July 10/13: MIDS JTRS CMN-4. US Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command in San Diego, CA issues a pair of MIDS JTRS cost-plus-incentive-fee delivery orders, involving the design & implementation of a major bandwidth expansion. MIDS JTRS is a 4-channel, software-defined system. CMN-4 implements 4 nets of concurrent multi-netting (hence the name) with concurrent contention receive, in order to take full advantage of that architecture. Not only does it improve Link-16’s bandwidth, it also improves network flexibility and performance. There are only 2 suppliers for this, so the delivery orders weren’t competitively procured, per 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1).

Data Link Solutions LLC in Wayne, NJ receives $33.4 million. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (88%) and Cedar Rapids, IA (12%), and is expected to be complete by March 7/15. $28.7 million in FY 2012 RDT&E funds is committed immediately, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year on Sept 30/13 (N00039-10-D-0031, #0037).

ViaSat Inc. in Carlsbad, CA receives $19.5 million. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA, and and is expected to be complete by March 7/15. $16.8 million in FY 2012 RDT&E funds is committed immediately, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year on Sept 30/13 (N00039-10-D-0032, #0029).

Feb 4/13: Crypto. ViaSat announces a $34 million dollar firm-fixed-price contract to design, development, and deliver a new LCM cryptographic module, as part of MIDS-LVT Block Upgrade 2.

They’ll use their PSIAM cryptographic technology, which they tout as being “based entirely on commercial off the shelf (COTS) components”. The module they develop will be designed to be integrated into a variety of MIDS-LVT hardware variants. Indeed, award covers development, then production of 10,000 LCMs to retrofit all of America’s MIDS-LVT hardware.

Jan 23/13: DLS JV extended. BAE Systems and Rockwell Collins decide to extend their Data Link Solutions joint venture, and hold a ceremonial signing at the Carnegie Library in Washington, DC. DLS was established in 1996.

DLS touts their support of 33 countries operating on Link-16, with an installed base of 6,000 terminals worldwide, and a portfolio of more than $2 billion in product orders. They also highlight the fact that they’re the only provider of all Link-16 variants, which they hope will position them for upgrade work.

Dec 18/12: ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA receives a $12.8 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs from the USA (44%), from Germany (8%) under the MIDS Program Memorandum of Understanding, and from Oman (48%) as a Foreign Military Sale.

Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%) and in various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by July 31/14. All contract funds are committed. This contract was competitively procured under a multiple award contract (MAC) via the SPAWAR E-commerce website, with 2 proposals solicited and 2 offers received by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, CA (N00039-10-D-0032).

Nov 12/12: Lot 13. ViaSat announces $33.9 million in MIDS-LVT Production Lot 13 orders for U.S. Government EA-18G, P-3, EP-3E, P-8A, MH-60R, E-2D, B-1, and ground terminal applications (63%); and Foreign Military Sales to Turkey (37%).

Aug 9/12: Lot 13. DLS in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded an $18.5 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. This delivery order combines purchases for the United States (33%) and the governments of Saudi Arabia (38%), Finland (27%), and the Republic of Korea (3%).

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by Jan 31/15. This contract was competitively procured under a multiple award contract (MAC), with 2 proposals solicited and 2 offers received via the SPAWAR E-commerce website, following a synopsis on FBO.gov (N00039-10-D-0031).

Aug 9/12: Lot 13. ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA receives an $18 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs from the US military. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%), and is expected to be completed by July 31/14. $402,756 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12.

This contract was competitively procured under a multiple award contract (MAC), with 2 proposals solicited and 2 offers received via the SPAWAR E-commerce website, following a synopsis on FBO.gov (N00039-10-D-0032).

May 2/12: Taiwan. DLS in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $9.4 million firm-fixed-price delivery order to Taiwan of MIDS-LVT terminals, as a Foreign Military Sale transaction. Note the previous Feb 27/12 announcement regarding Taiwan’s P-3C maritime patrol planes, and its Ground Link-16 Program.

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/14. This contract was competitively procured via FBO.gov and the SPAWAR E-commerce website, with 2 offers received. The competition was real, as Taiwan has shifted its buys back and forth over time. US Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command in San Diego, CA manages the contract, on behalf of its FMS client (N00039-10-D-0031).

April 10/12: Per the April 4/12 entry that announced resolution of ViaSat’s quality issues to the Pentagon’s satisfaction, ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA wins a $31.5 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS JTRS systems.

Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (47%); Melbourne, FL (15.8%); Gilbert, AZ (14.2%); and other sites in the United States (23%), and is expected to be completed by February 2014. This contract is the result of a limited competition via the SPAWAR E-commerce website and FBO.gov, with 2 solicited proposals and 2 offers received (N00039-10-D-0032). See also ViaSat release.

April 10/12: DLS in Cedar Rapids, IA wins a $25.8 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS JTRS systems.

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by February 2014. This contract is the result of a limited competition via the SPAWAR E-commerce website and FBO.gov, with 2 solicited proposals and 2 offers received (N00039-10-D-0031).

April 4/12: MIDS-JTRS Approved for FP&F. Re-tests must have shown improvement since October 2011. The MIDS JTRS terminal is approved for Full Production and Fielding by Mr. Frank Kendall, Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.

Despite earlier problems with ViaSat terminals (vid. Jan 17/12 entry), both MIDS-JTRS vendors have now been found Operationally Effective and Operationally Suitable by Commander, Operational Test & Evaluation Force (COTF) and Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E), and will soon attain Initial Operational capability (IOC) on 3 different platforms: the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter family, the E-8C JSTARS battlefield surveillance & communication aircraft, and the RC-135 Rivet Joint electronic eavesdropping plane.

Note that the Super Hornet has also been bought by Australia, and Britain is building an RC-135 fleet that is making the platform a shared program. JPEO JTRS [PDF]

March 30/12: Program cost. From the Pentagon’s Selected Acquisitions Report ending Dec 31/11:

“Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) – Program costs increased $348.2 million (+13.1%) from $2,662.2 million to $3,010.4 million, due primarily to additional development and integration of the Concurrent Multi-Netting (CMN-4) capability (+$195.0 million) and the Tactical Targeting Network Technology waveform (+$91.0 million) into the MIDS Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) terminal. In addition, there was a quantity increase of 230 MIDS terminals from 5,028 to 5,258 terminals (+$79.0 million).”

Feb 27/12: Taiwan. DLS announces a $3.8 million contract for MIDS-LVTs, for Taiwan’s P-3 and Ground Link-16 Program. This program will allow Taiwan’s new sea control aircraft to share data in real time with Link-16 equipped counterparts. The U.S. Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) acts as Taiwan’s FMS agent.

Feb 9/12: South Korea. DLS announces a $5.5 million contract to provide MIDS-LVTs for the Republic of Korea Air Force’s KF-16 fighters. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ, and Cedar Rapids, IA.

KF-16s are F-16C/D fighters assembled on the finishing line in Korea.

Jan 17/12: DOT&E testing report. The Pentagon releases the FY 2011 Annual Report from its Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E). MIDS-JTRS is included, and the system is having problems. For starters, some core capabilities like Link 16 Enhanced Data Throughput, and the addition of more JTRS Software Communications Architecture waveforms, can’t be operationally tested, because of “host aircraft configurations and funding availability.”

Beyond that, the report cites the abysmal November 2010 tests on Super Hornet fighters (q.v., below), and ViaSat comes in for special criticism over the quality of its products:

“Post-test causality analysis indicated that manufacturing and quality control problems with ViaSat-produced MIDS JTRS terminals led to new failure modes discovered during IOT&E… Terminal reliability deficiencies [of 63.8 hours MTBF] were primarily found on ViaSat Terminals, as Data Link Solutions Terminals met the threshold requirement of 220 hours, although with a low (<50 percent) confidence level.”

July 2011 test data from the E-8C JSTARS battlefield surveillance aircraft tests showed a preliminary pattern of effective Link 16 data and voice transmissions, but possible deficiencies with reliability, with imagery exchange, and with acknowledgements of JSTARS messages by other aircraft. Service Link 16 interoperability testing in December 2011 was meant to clarify.

Sept 22/11: UAE. The US DSCA announces [PDF] the United Arab Emirates’ official request to buy 107 MIDS-LVT/ LINK 16 terminals and associated equipment, parts, training and support. The compact MIDS-LVT assemblies would be installed on its F-16E/F fleet, as well as ground command and control sites, giving its air force a Link-16 network that would help UAE fighters share what they see with each other, and with related forces like American and Saudi AWACS aircraft, similarly-equipped allied fighters, etc.

If a contract is negotiated, it would include the systems, engineering/ integration services, aircraft modification and installation, testing, spare and repair parts, support equipment, repair and return support, personnel training, interface with ground command and control centers and ground repeater sites, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is up to $401 million.

The prime contractor is not set; this will be a competition between DLS and ViaSat. Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of additional U.S. Government and contractor representatives to the UAE, which will be negotiated if a contract is signed and the program proceeds.

July 18/11: Lot 12. DLS announces a direct commercial contract from the NATO Air Command and Control System Management Agency (NACMA) to provide MIDS-LVTs for Bulgaria, Lithuania and Romania. The MIDS-LVT terminals are scheduled for delivery in early 2012.

No price or volume information is disclosed. Note that Lithuania has no air force, but can still use ground-based systems.

July 14/11: Lot 12. ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA receives a $27.6 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for Production Lot 12 MIDS-LVTs, from the United States (97.6%) and the governments of Japan (2.3%) and Australia (0.1%).

The MIDS-LVT Lot 12 order includes LVT (1) airborne terminal variants for F/A-18, EA-18G, E-2D, P-3, EP-3E aircraft and MH-60R/S helicopters, along with terminals for the BACN program and U.S. Air Force applications. It also includes LVT (2) ground/air terminal variants for various US Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps applications, as well as terminals for Japan and spares for Australia under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

The order falls under the 5-year contract awarded in 2010. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in July 2012, and continue through March 2013. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%), and various other sites worldwide (70%), and $3,080,705 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11. This contract was competitively procured under a multiple award contract via SPAWAR’s E-commerce website, with 2 proposals solicited and 2 offers received. US Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in San Diego, CA manages the contract (N00039-10-D-0032). See also ViaSat.

July 14/11: Lot 12. DLS in Cedar Rapids, IA received a $24 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs, from the United States (91%) and the governments of Australia (6%) and Japan (3%).

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by Jan 31/13. $1,015,448 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11. This contract was competitively procured under a multiple award contract via SPAWAR’s E-commerce website, with 2 proposals solicited and 2 offers received. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N00039-10-D-0031).

May 31/11: Libya after-action report. In the wake of a 2-day tour of the Rafale detachment at Solenzara, Corsica, Giovanni de Briganti of Defense Aerospace submits a report regarding their performance over Libya. Some of the tidbits that emerge illustrate the uses of Link-16:

“Data from all on-board and off-board sensors are combined into a single tactical picture presented to the pilot on the cockpit’s central color display or, if desired, on one of the lateral displays. The pilot can select the data he wants, combine it with other data, and pass it on to his wingman or to other allied aircraft, ships or ground troops through the Link 16, without speaking a single word on the radio and, if not using the radar, without any transmission whatsoever. Link 16 can also be used to de-conflict assignments with other aircraft without using radios.

To illustrate the Rafale’s networking capabilities, one pilot described how the aircraft can receive target coordinates from an AWACS or another aircraft via Link 16. To accept the assignment, the pilot pushes a button, and the [GPS] coordinates are automatically programmed into the AASM guided bombs, with no further action by the pilot who, once in range (up to 30 nautical miles), again pushes a single button to launch all three – or all six – AASMs to their individual targets.”

Feb 2/11: MIDS JTRS. A pair of MIDS-JTRS contracts to ViaSat and DLS. This contract is the result of a limited competition via the SPAWAR E-commerce website, with 2 proposals solicited and 2 offers received. The synopsis was released via the Federal Business Opportunities website.

DLS in Cedar Rapids, IA receives an $8.2 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-JTRS. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by February 2012. $4.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11 (N00039-10-D-0031).

ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA receives a $6.8 million firm-fixed-price delivery order under previously awarded contract for MIDS-JTRS. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30 percent), and in various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by February 2012. $4.3 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11 (N00039-10-D-0032). The MIDS JTRS terminals are for F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters, RC-135 Rivet Joint electronic eavesdropping planes, and EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft. See also ViaSat.

Jan 31/11: MIDS JTRS approval. Despite testing results, Dr. Ashton B. Carter, US Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, signs the Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) terminal Acquisition Decision Memorandum, approving it for Limited Production 2 procurement.

The MIDS Program Office is now authorized to allow MIDS JTRS to enter into a second Limited Production contract of 42 terminals for the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters, as well as the Air Force’s EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft, and RC-135 Rivet Joint electronic eavesdropping aircraft. US Navy SPAWAR JPEO JTRS [PDF].

November 2010: F/A-18E/F Failures. The US Navy completes Initial Operational Test & Evaluation of the MIDS JTRS core terminal integrated into the F/A-18E/F. It doesn’t do very well, receiving a “not operationally effective and not operationally suitable” rating. How bad was it? This bad:

That’s a real problem, because all real-world F/A-18 missions require an operational Link 16 and Tactical Air Navigation capability. If that isn’t working, the plane is out of service. ViaSat comes in for special criticism over the quality of its products, and other deficiencies were traced to errors in the Link 16 waveform software code, poor terminal/ host system integration reliability, and inadequate aircrew and maintenance personnel training.

COTF began the F/A-18E/F MIDS JTRS Verification of Correction of Deficiencies testing on Aug 15/11, at Naval Air Station China Lake, CA. It was scheduled to conclude in December 2011. Source: 2011 DOT&E report.

Nov 25/10: Italy. BAE Systems announces a GBP 20 million (about $31 million) contract for 25 Tornado strike aircraft mid-life upgrade kits. Italian Air Force ECR (Electronic Combat/ Reconnaissance) and IDS (Interdictor/Strike) aircraft variants will be recipients of the new equipment, which includes new night vision compatible digital displays, and MIDS-LVTs. The kits will be installed by Alenia at their Caselle factory in Turin, Italy.

Oct 20/10: Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s official request to buy up to 84 F-15SA Strike Eagle fighters, and retrofit its F-15S fleet, includes a request to buy 100 MIDS/LVTs and spares. Read “A 2010 Saudi Shopping Spree” for full coverage.

Sept 27/10: Lot 11. ViaSat Inc. announces an additional $5.5 million order for MIDS-LVTs and spares, in addition to the Lot 11 delivery orders noted on March 11/10.

This new Lot 11 add-on is for LVT (1), LVT (2), LVT (4), and LVT (11) terminals for U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force programs, and to support a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) requirement for the Commonwealth of Australia. Terminal deliveries are scheduled to begin in March 2011.

June 15/10: Sweden. DLS announces a $29.6 million MIDS-LVT order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, (FMV). The terminals will be installed on JAS-39 Gripen fighters, Erieye AEW&C airborne radar surveillance aircraft, and various ground and maritime applications. This contract continues a 10-year relationship between DLS and the Swedish military.

Deliveries begin later in 2010, and will continue through 2012. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ; Cedar Rapids, IA; and Heidelberg, Germany.

March 25/10: Lot 11. DLS in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a maximum $5.7 million firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract for F-15 aircraft fighter data link system spare parts and installs, on behalf of Foreign Military Sales for Singapore (F-15SG), Japan (F-15J), and Saudi Arabia (F-15S, F-15C/D). There was originally one proposal solicited with one response, and the contract will run until June 30/11. The Defense Logistics Agency at Warner Robins Air Force Base, GA manages the contract (SPRWA1-10-C-0010).

March 11/10: Lot 11. ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA receives a $21.5 million firm-fixed-price contract and delivery order for MIDS-LVTs, combining purchases for the USA (68%) and Germany (11%); and for Australia (18%) and South Korea (3%) under the Foreign Military Sales program.

Contract funds in the amount of $1.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%) and in various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by Feb 28/12. This contract was competitively procured via the Space and Naval Warfare Systems E-commerce Web site, with 2 offers received, based on a synopsis released via the Federal Business Opportunities Web site (N00039-10-D-0032).

ViaSat’s March 25/10 release says that this new award includes LVT (1) terminal variants for F/A-18, P-3, and E-2D aircraft; and MH-60R/S helicopters, along with terminals for the BACN program and other U.S. Navy applications. The MIDS-LVT Lot 11 order also includes LVT (2) “ground” terminal variants for various U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and Joint Forces applications, as well as terminals for Germany, Australia, and Korea.

March 11/10: Lot 11. DLS in Cedar Rapids, IA, received a $20 million firm-fixed-price contract and delivery order for MIDS-LVTs, combining purchases for the United States (61%) and for the governments of Finland (22%), Japan (8%) and Saudi Arabia (9%) under the Foreign Military Sales program.

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by Feb 28/12. Contract funds in the amount of $3.2 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Space and Naval Warfare Systems E-commerce Web site, with 2 offers received, based on a synopsis released via the Federal Business Opportunities Web site (N00039-10-D-0031). Rockwell Collins release

Jan 29/10: Taiwan. The US DSCA announces [PDF] Taiwan’s official request to buy 35 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems Low Volume Terminals (MIDS/LVT-1), 25 MIDS On Ships Terminals, plus spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, training personnel training and training equipment, repair and return, software and hardware updates, publications and technical documentation, and U.S. Government and contractor engineering and support services. The estimated cost is $340 million.

By transmitting information to each other and filtering out duplications, Link 16 dramatically improves awareness, and can help to minimize friendly fire incidents. LVT-1 terminals are used in aircraft, as well as ground units like Patriot missile systems. They include both Tactical Air Navigation System, and voice capabilities.

The prime contractor will be selected through a competitive procurement conducted by the U.S. Government, involving ViaSat and the BAE Systems/ Rockwell Collins joint venture DLS. Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives to participate in training, program management, and technical reviews.

Jan 14/10: MIDS JTRS. ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $14.4 million firm-fixed-price order for MIDS JTRS limited production terminals. The MIDS JTRS terminal is a software communications architecture compliant upgrade to the MIDS-LVT that supports legacy and advanced networking JTRS compliant waveforms enabling integrated navigation, identification, voice and data communications, information security, networking, and networking applications to meet US DoD software defined radio initiatives and requirements. ViaSat will perform the work in Carlsbad, CA (35%) and in various other sites within the US (65%), and expects to complete it by December 2010 (N00039-00-D-2101). ViaSat release.

June 25/09: Lot 10. DLS in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $28.9 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. It combines purchases for the USA (45%), Saudi Arabia (15%), Canada (10%), South Korea (8%), Switzerland (6%), Finland (6%), Poland (5%), Japan (4%), and Norway (1%).

See Sept 26/08 entry, re: Saudi Arabia’s request to equip its new Eurofighter Typhoons.

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by December 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $425,983 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This delivery order was competitively procured, with 2 proposals solicited and 2 offers received via the Space and Naval Warfare Systems E-commerce web site, after the synopsis was released via the Federal Business Opportunities web site (N00039-00-D-2100).

June 23/09: Lot 10. ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $21 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs that combines purchases for the United States (80%), Germany (13%), and Canada (7%). The Lot 10 production order includes LVT (1) terminal variants for F/A-18+ and E/A-18G aircraft, and MH-60R/S and CH-53K helicopters. The Lot 10 order also includes LVT (2) terminal variants for various U.S. Army and Air Force applications, as well terminals for Canada and Germany.

Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%), in various other sites worldwide (70%). Contract funds in the amount of $3.9 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/09. Delivery of these units is expected to begin in July of 2010, and continue through the end of 2010 (N00039-00-D-2101). See also ViaSat release.

June 16/09: MIDS JTRS. The USA’s Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) China Lake receives the first pre-qualification Production Transition Terminal (PTT) version of MIDS JTRS from ViaSat, marking the first such delivery to the U.S. government. It’s slated for developmental flight testing on an F/A-18. The MIDS JTRS is completing contractor qualification testing and F/A-18 integration in anticipation of a low-rate initial production order later in summer 2009.

MIDS JTRS is a joint development of ViaSat and DLS, and other partners are also involved. Previous preliminary flight tests at China Lake and Naval Air Station Patuxent River used advanced engineering developmental terminals, referred to as Air Worthiness Terminals (AWTs). ViaSat release.

June 12/09: DLS announces an $18.7 million contract to provide MIDS LVT-1 and LVT-2/11 terminals.

The MIDS LVT-1 terminals will be used on U.S. platforms and, through Foreign Military Sales (FMS), in Belgium, Hungary, Japan and Poland.

Oct 9/08: Lot 9. ViaSat Inc. announces an additional order valued at approximately $2.97 million for Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) terminals, augmenting the $59 million worth of Lot 9 delivery orders it has received so far.

This add-on order is for LVT (11) ground-based terminals, with voice capability.

Sept 26/08: Saudi Arabia. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces [PDF] Saudi Arabia’s request for 80 MIDS/LVT-1 terminals, to equip its 72 ordered Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The request also includes data transfer devices, installation, testing, spare and repair parts, support equipment, personnel training, training equipment, contractor engineering and technical support, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $31 million.

The prime contractor will be DLS of Cedar Rapids, IA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale, and implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Saudi Arabia.

Sept 16/08: Lot 9. ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA receives a $7.1 million firm fixed price delivery order modification from the US military for MIDS-LVTs. Contract funds in the amount of $2.2 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The order augments the June 11/08 entry for MIDS Lot IX buys, and consists primarily of LVT (2)/ LVT (11) ground-based Low Volume Terminals, along with LVT (1) airborne terminals. The order boosts ViaSat’s Lot IX orders to $60 million.

Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%) and in various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by April 2010. This delivery order modification is a follow-on to a competitively procured delivery order, with 2 proposals solicited and 2 offers received via the SPAWAR E-commerce web site (N00039-00-D-2101). See also ViaSat release.

Sept 9/08: Finland. The US DSCA announces Finland’s official request for the 3rd phase of the Mid-Life Upgrade Program for its 63 F/A-18C/D Hornet fighters. The request includes 79 MIDS-LVT terminals, and 72 MIDS Electronic Interference Blanking Units. See “Finland Requests 3rd Upgrade Phase for its F-18s” for more.

June 11/08: Lot 9. ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA receives a $51.9 million firm-fixed-price Lot 9 delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. The new award includes LVT (1) terminals and spares for E-2D Hawkeye, F/A-18 Hornet family, E/A-18G Growler, EA-6B Prowler, and F-16 Falcon aircraft, and MH-60R/S and CH-53K helicopters, and MIDS LVT (2) terminal variants and spares for various U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps applications [TL: 82%]. It also includes MIDS LVT (1) terminals for Portuguese [TL: 6%] and Turkish [TL: 12%] F-16 Falcon fighters.

Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%), and in various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by April 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $2.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00039-00-D-2101). ViaSat release.

June 11/08: Lot 9. DLS, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded a $18.7 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs that combines purchases for the USA (79%) and the governments of Hungary (20%) and Japan, (1%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program.

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by April 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $2.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00039-00-D-2100).

Dec 4/07: UAE. The United Arab Emirates requests an unspecified number of MIDS-LVT terminals as part of a $9 billion Foreign Military Sale request to acquire Patriot PAC-2 GEM-T and PAC-3 missile batteries.

July 16/07: Lot 8. Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $44.95 million firm-fixed-price delivery order under previously awarded contract (N00039-00-D-2101) for MIDS-LVT terminals. Contract funds in the amount of $2.5 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%) and various other sites worldwide (70%). Delivery is expected to begin in June 2008 and be complete by May 2009

The Lot 8 order includes LVT (1) airborne and LVT (2) ground-based Low Volume Terminals under the Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity contract awarded in January 2000. The new award includes U.S. orders [94.8%] covering LVT (1) terminal variants and spares for F/A-18, EA-18G, F-16, and AC-130 aircraft; MH-60R/S and CH-53K helicopters; and LVT (2) ground terminal variants and spares for various Army and Air Force applications.

The Government of Germany [1.7%] requested LVT (2) variant terminals for German ground based applications under the MIDS Program Memorandum of Understanding, and the government of Portugal [3.5%] will receive MIDS LVT (1) variant terminals for Portuguese F-16 aircraft under the Foreign Military Sales program.

During the procurement for Lot 8 the LVT (2) terminal quantities were competed, and ViaSat remains as the only certified producer of LVT (2) terminal variants to date. ViaSat release.

July 13/07: Lot 8. DLS, Cedar Rapids, IA won a $27.6 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVT purchases for the USA (89.4%) and the governments of Belgium (8.8%), Japan (0.6%), and Poland (1.2%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. DLS’ Aug 8/07 release says that the terminals “will be installed on the U.S. Navy F/A-18 and EA-6B, U.S. Air Force F-16, B-1, B-2 and B-52, and on shipboard and foreign platforms.”

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by May 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $2.7 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This delivery order was competitively procured, with 2 proposals solicited and 2 offers received via the Space and Naval Warfare E-commerce web site. The synopsis was released via the Federal Business Opportunities web site (N00039-00-D-2100).

Feb 28/07: Finland. DLS announces that the Finnish Air Force has selected them to supply Link 16 MIDS-LVTs for their F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft. The $1 million award is the Finnish Air Force’s F-18 “lead the fleet” order for MIDS airborne terminals, and was conducted as a directed-source Foreign Military Sales procurement through the U.S. Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) MIDS International Program Office. The award augments the SPAWAR Lot 7 award of $40.2 million for MIDS terminals for use by U.S. and coalition forces.

To date, DLS has been selected to provide Link 16 capability for the F-18 fleets of Finland, Australia, Canada, Greece, Norway, and Switzerland. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ; and Cedar Rapids, IA. DLS news page.

Jan 31/07: Taiwan. Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a firm-fixed-price delivery order for $12.05 million for 70 LVT (1) configuration terminals plus spares, destined for the government of Taiwan (100%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%) and in various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by February 2009. This delivery order was competitively procured with 3 offers received via the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command E-commerce web site and released the Federal Business Opportunities web site (N00039-00-D-2101).

In a February 13, 2007 release, ViaSat adds that “The order from Taiwan is very strategic for us… Taiwan has a large fleet of aircraft and we see this initial win as an excellent entry point for future business in Taiwan. We are also very happy with our MIDS terminal market share growth over the past year. These orders bring the value of our terminal awards since June of last year to more than $100 million.”

Jan 30/07: Speed it up! The U.S. Air Force has selected BAE Systems and SRA International to develop the 2nd spiral of the Flexible Access Secure Transfer (FAST) waveform into the MIDS-LVT1. FAST, developed by BAE Systems with a team of engineers from SRA and MITRE, adds mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) interoperable with high-speed Internet Protocol and Link 16 to the MIDS Fighter Data Link. The $7 million contract will enable the MIDS-LVT1 to simultaneously transmit and receive both standard Link 16 and FAST waveform messages, allowing real-time exchange of multimedia communications including data, voice, and video. BAE release.

Dec 15/06: DLS in Cedar Rapids, IA received a $5.1 million firm-fixed-price delivery order under previously awarded contract (N00039-00-D-2100) for MIDS-LVTs. This delivery order combines purchases for the governments of Finland (79%) and Belgium (21%) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program. Work will be performed in Wayne, N.J. (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by May 2008. This requirement was a directed sole source to DLS by the governments of Finland and Belgium under the FMS Program.

Oct 31/06: Turkey. Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $36.7 million firm-fixed-price delivery order under a previously awarded contract for Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVTs). This delivery order is for the government of Turkey under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%) and various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by January 2013.

ViaSat reports that the order is an add-on to the Lot 7 award previously announced for the Turkish Air Force, adding 194 MIDS-LVT Type 6 terminals plus other adjustments and bringing the total Lot 7 value to nearly $87 million. This requirement was a directed sole source procurement under the FMS Program; see the Sept 28/06 entry below, which notes Turkey’s fighter purchase. ViaSat is the sole provider of MIDS-LVT terminals to the government of Turkey, while its competitor DLS is the sole provider to Greece (N00039-00-D-2101).

Oct 5/06: Greece. DLS in Cedar Rapids, IA is being awarded a $6.2 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. This contract is for the government of Greece (100%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program.

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by April 2009. This delivery order was competitively procured, with synopsis was released via the Federal Business Opportunities web site and 3 offers received via the Space and Naval Warfare Systems E-commerce web site. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, CA issued the contract (N00039-00-D-2100). This purchase may be connected with the 48 MIDS-LVTs in Greece’s F-16 order; see the Oct 5/05 entry below.

Sept 28/06: Turkey. As part of its $2.9 billion request for another 30 F-16C Block 50 aircraft, Turkey also requests 36 MIDS-LVT modules and 3 Link 16 ground stations.

Note that this is just the notification, not the contract to provide this equipment.

Sept 14/06: Lot 7. ViaSat Inc. receives an additional order from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in San Diego, CA, valued at approximately $8.7 million. The order augments the June 28/06 order received by ViaSat as part of the MIDS annual Lot procurements. The Lot 7 add-on consists primarily of LVT (2) ground-based Low Volume Terminals and spares, along with LVT (4) and LVT (6) airborne terminals.

ViaSat also announces an order valued at just over $2.2 million for MIDS terminals from the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Crane Division in Crane, IN. This order is for LVT (2) ground-based Low Volume Terminals and support equipment. See corporate release.

June 28/06: Pakistan. Pakistan requests up to 96 MIDS-LVT terminals; 36 as part of its $3 billion request for up to 36 F-16C/D Block 50/52s, and 60 more MIDS-LVT units in their $1.3 billion request for F-16 mid-life update kits. Observant analysts note that Pakistan only has 28 older-model F-16A/Bs, which implies that these upgrades would be placed in second-hand F-16A/Bs acquired on the global market with US permission (the USA must approve all resales of the military equipment it sells).

ViaSat’s release adds that Delivery of the Lot 7 units is expected to begin in June of 2007. While Portugal and Turkey are considered Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Germany falls under the Memorandum of Understanding amongst the founding MIDS nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and the United States). The Lot 7 award includes LVT (1) terminals for F/A-18, E/A-18G, F-16, AC-130 aircraft, the MH-60R helicopter, Link-16 Alaska, China Lake, NAVICP, and Eglin AFB. The award also includes LVT (2) terminals and spares for various Army and Air Force applications including the JICO Support System (JSS), Pocket J Program, PATRIOT Program, Medium Extended Air Defense (MEADS), the Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS), and for Eglin AFB Link-16 applications. During the procurement for Lot 7 the LVT (2) terminal quantities were competed and ViaSat remains as the only certified producer of the LVT (2) to date.

June 28/06: Lot 7. DLS received a $34.6 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. This delivery order combines purchases for the United States (77%) and the governments of Switzerland (12%), Poland (5%), Japan (3%), Australia (2%), and Germany (1%), under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by May 2008 (N00039-00-D-2100).

Jan 4/06: Canada. DLS announces that it has been selected by the Canadian Forces to provide Multi-Functional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Low Volume Terminals (LVT) as part of their Fleet Modernization Program to add Link 16 capability to Canada’s CF-18 Hornet aircraft fleet.

The approximate value of the contract is in excess of USD $22.7 million, after an initial $34 million request to the US Congress.

Oct 18/05: Switzerland ThalesRaytheonSystems (TRS) announces $120 million in contracts from the Swiss defense procurement agency, ARMASUISSE, to provide the Swiss Air Force with advanced Link-16 connectivity for their fighter aircraft.

MIDS terminals are included in the effort, which will create a national Link 16 network as one aspect of the FLORAKO program.

Oct 5/05: Greece requests 48 MIDS-LVTs as part of a sale of 30-40 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft for up to $3.1 billion.

They would end up declining the option, and ordering just 30 new F-16s.

Sept 30/05: Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $5.7 million firm-fixed-price delivery order delivery order for MIDS-LVTs from the US military. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%), in various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by May 2007 (N00039-00-D-2101).

Sept 30/05: Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $5.3 million firm-fixed-price delivery order on Sept 15/05 for MIDS-LVTs from the US military. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%), and various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by May 2007 (N00039-00-D-2101).

Sept 30/05: DLS received a $5.5 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. This delivery order combines purchases for the USA (29%) and the government of Australia (71%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be completed by May 2007 (N00039-00-D-2100).

June 10/05: Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $61 million delivery order (N00039-00-D-2101). This order combines purchases for the U.S. (98%) and the government of Japan (2%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%), in various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by May 2007.

June 10/05: DLS received a $32.5 million delivery order (N00039-00-D-2100). This order combines purchases for the U.S. (78.4%) and the governments of Australia (4.5%); Switzerland (8.2%); Japan (6.7%); and New Zealand (2.2%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by May 2007.

March 26/05: Turkey. Turkey requests a $1.1 billion program to modernize its F-16 fleet, including Link 16 integration. ViaSat Inc. in Carlsbad, CA would eventually be selected as the supplier for the MIDS-LVT (6) terminals in August 2006, with a total order quantity of 203 LVTs. See also ViaSat release.

Dec 28/04: MIDS JTRS. DLS received a not-to exceed amount of $82.1 million for a cost-plus-incentive-fee/ firm-fixed-price Engineering Change Proposal modification, and a cost-plus-incentive-fee/ firm-fixed-price delivery order. These cover the product improvement of the MIDS-LVT to a JTRS software communications compliant architecture under Contract N00039-00-D-2101 for U.S. Navy and Air Force Platforms. The MIDS-JTRS is intended to replace the MIDS-LVT to provide secure, high capacity, jam resistant, digital data and voice communications capability using the JTRS system, which is intended to become the future foundation on networked radio communication for US forces. Work will be performed at Cedar Rapids, IA (50%) and at Wayne, N.J. (50%), and is expected to be completed by September 2007 (N00039-00-D-2100).

Dec 28/04: MIDS JTRS. Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a not-to-exceed amount of $60.7 million for a cost-plus-incentive-fee/ firm-fixed-price Engineering Change Proposal modification, and a cost-plus-incentive-fee/ firm-fixed-price delivery order. These cover the product improvement of the MIDS-LVT to a JTRS software communications compliant architecture under Contract N00039-00-D-2101 for U.S. Navy and Air Force Platforms. The MIDS-JTRS is intended to replace the MIDS-LVT to provide secure, high capacity, jam resistant, digital data and voice communications capability using the JTRS system, which is intended to become the future foundation on networked radio communication for US forces. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA and is expected to be complete by September 2007 (N00039-00-D-2101).

June 17/04: DLS received a $48.3 million firm fixed price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. This delivery order combines purchases for the U.S. (76%) and the governments of Switzerland (4.8%), Belgium (4.5%), Taiwan (1%), and Poland (13.7%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed 50/50 in Wayne, NJ and Cedar Rapids, IA and is expected to be complete by May 2006 (N00039-00-D-2100).

June 17/04: Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $47.1 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. This delivery order combines purchases for the U.S. (92%) and the governments of Canada (2%), Japan (2%), and Taiwan (4%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (43%), Melbourne, FL (29 percent), and Munich, Germany (28%), and is expected to be completed by May 2006 (N00039-00-D-2101).