Logica tactical data link for UK MOD

Logica will supply the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) Host Processor (JHP) for the UK Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Airborne Stand Off Radar (ASTOR) enabling ASTOR to move mission-critical data to other military units.

ASTOR is an airborne radar surveillance system that provides day/night and all-weather imagery of the ground over a large area. The imagery can be analysed on board the aircraft and passed in near real-time to ground-stations and other military systems, thereby providing them with up to the minute information on the battlefield situation.

Under a subcontract to ASTOR prime-contractor Raytheon Systems Limited, Logica will produce the JHP implementation for the ASTOR platform. The JHP translates mission system information for wider distribution to other platforms and receives the same messages from other platforms for display on the mission system. The JHP will allow the ASTOR aircraft to actively participate in a JTIDS network, contributing to the overall tactical military picture and providing situational awareness for interoperability with other UK and coalition assets as well as for platform self-defence. It will be installed on all 5 ASTOR aircraft, the first being in 2003. Logica will also supply a version for training purposes.

Logica's JHP solution offered provides the core of the JTIDS system on a single card in comparison with previous implementations requiring a separate unit. This card will reside within the airborne workstation avoiding the need for a dedicated JHP unit and thereby providing significant through-life cost benefits when compared with the traditional JTIDS approach.

Kevin Gorman, Divisional Director, Space & Defence, Logica, commented; "We are extremely pleased to be building on our long standing relationship with Raytheon, utilising our in-depth knowledge of Tactical Data Links in support of this programme.

Logica is also supplying Thales Sensors with Tactical Data Link software for the UK MOD's Sea King Whisky programme. This software is part of the Mission System upgrade being provided for the Sea King Mk7, which is currently undergoing flight-testing as part of its Military Aircraft Release programme.

Sea King Whisky is the Royal Navy's Airborne Early Warning system providing surveillance and command and control capabilities over the fleet airspace. The Logica software will allow the helicopter to be part of a JTIDS network, contributing to the overall battlespace picture and controlling assigned assets.

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