Lockheed Martin has unveiled its team for the US Department of Defense's airborne joint tactical radio system (JTRS) competition, just days before bids for the initial pre-development contracts are due to be submitted. The software-programmable JTRS will replace single-use radios on 65 airborne platforms beginning in 2008.
The company has teamed with Northrop Grumman (formerly TRW), Raytheon, General Dynamics and ViaSat to bid for one of two $20 million pre-system development and demonstration (SDD) contracts to be awarded by the US Air Force. Boeing, which won the JTRS Cluster 1 contract to develop radios for US Army ground vehicle and helicopters, is also expected to bid.
The 13-month pre-SDD contracts cover the definition of specifications for a modular, scalable software-defined radio that can be economically integrated on a wide range of aircraft. "The challenge is to develop a credible design that will integrate economically on aircraft and will scale to meet evolving requirements. We need to think ahead and build capability in," says Lockheed Martin Airborne JTRS programme director Glenn Karowski.
One team is to be awarded a $500 million SDD contract in 2005. Boeing, teamed with BAE Systems, Harris, Rockwell Collins and TRW (now Northrop Grumman), won the $900 million Cluster 1 contract last year. Airborne JTRS is Cluster 4. Cluster 2 (special forces), Cluster 3 (shipboard) and Cluster 5 (hand-held) have yet to be awarded.
Source: Flight International
