AR Feature:

Telcordia Named to Help Develop
Defense Department's "Internet in the Sky"

Telcordia has been selected to help develop the network backbone for a satellite system that will enhance broadband communications for U.S. military forces around the world.

The system, called Transformational Satellite Communications (TSAT), will link a new fleet of satellites to the Pentagon's version of the World Wide Web and to soldiers virtually anywhere — creating, in effect, an "Internet in the sky." The TSAT Mission Operations System (TMOS) will field a comprehensive Network Management and Operations Management capability to effectively manage a space-based high-capacity communications backbone system supporting advanced IP- and circuit-based services for the Department of Defense. Pentagon officials quoted in The Wall Street Journal say this program is central to delivering greater amounts of real-time video, voice, and data to troops through a secure military broadband network.

"This is a technically exciting program that puts Telcordia at the forefront of practical advanced networking," said Adam Drobot, President of Applied Research and Government & Public Sector.

Under the 10-year contract, Telcordia will serve as a Tier-1 subcontractor to Lockheed Martin Corp., providing cross-company services covering architecture, engineering, software development, integration and test, as well as software products. The Lockheed team — which, in addition to Telcordia, includes Northrop Grumman, SAIC, Verizon, and IBM — will design the TSAT operating system.

"This contract helps reinforce Telcordia's already strong position in the government space," said Tony Bogovic, TMOS Program Manager.