WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has awarded a $12 million contract to Raytheon as part of its continuing upgrade program for its MIDAS communications switching system.
The contract announced Monday is part of an indefinite delivery/quantity pact worth $48 million that was awarded in 2004 and calls for 15 MIDAS units to be used by the Army for voice and data communications.
MIDAS (Multiplexer Integration and Digital Communication Satellite Subsystem Automation Systems) ties together dispersed Army units in a system that allows instant access to a variety of secure channels for voice, data and video communications. Specifically, it carries out switching and multiplexing tasks that route communications using equipment with a far smaller footprint and cabling requirement than previous systems.
The unit allows the MIDAS operator to configure circuits through a keyboard, and also has a number of configurations pertaining to various combat scenarios stored in a data base so that they can be quickly established in the event of a sudden surge in demand for communications capacity.
"MIDAS provides the Army with an improved communications capability for infrastructure already fielded and in theater," explained Raytheon Vice President Jerry Powlen.
