MESA, Ariz., Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin's Joint Tactical Radio Internet-Protocol communications network system has been successfully demonstrated on an AH-64D helicopter in Arizona.
The test of the Airborne & Maritime/Fixed Station JTRS was the first aboard an airborne platform.
"These early AMF JTRS integration activities onto the Apache Block III test platform validate the technical maturity of the system hardware and software," said Mark Norris, vice president for Joint Tactical Network Solutions with Lockheed Martin's IS&GS-Defense. "It underscores the critical role that AMF JTRS will play by providing IP networking, as well as the ability to dynamically use multiple waveforms as mission needs require and the ability to cross band and interconnect legacy systems."
AMF JTRS will be a secure, software-programmable, multi-band/multi-mode, mobile ad-hoc network that will give joint U.S. forces simultaneous voice, data and video communications. With its ability to reprogram and configure communications through a software-centric architecture, AMF provides an affordable forward and backward compatible solution for the U.S. Department of Defense, Lockheed Martin said.
During the demonstration at Boeing's Mesa, Ariz., facility, Lockheed Martin's team integrated an AMF JTRS Small Airborne Joint Tactical Radio, enabled with the Wideband Networking Waveform, onto an Apache helicopter. Ground and aerial nodes interfaced in a joint tactical, mobile ad hoc network using IP-based communications.
AMF JTRS then transmitted live streaming video and real-time situation awareness data from the Apache's onboard infrared camera to multiple ground-based radios.
AMF JTRS will be integrated into airborne, shipboard and fixed-station platforms. The radio network includes multiple configurations providing two-channel Small Airborne Joint Tactical Radio for aircraft and four-channel Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio.
The Lockheed Martin AMF JTRS team includes BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon.
