WAYNE, N.J., Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Global firm BAE Systems said Wednesday it had successfully displayed its Flexible Access Secure Transfer networking waveform.
"FAST, an effort to modernize the NATO-standard Link 16 computer data exchange format, is a wireless networking protocol developed for airborne tactical networking," the company said in a statement.
"The demonstration included Internet Protocol connectivity, Voice over IP, mobile ad-hoc networking, streaming video, and imagery. The demonstration was part of an $8 million contract performed in concert with SRA International Inc., prime contractor for the U.S. Air Force Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts," FAST said.
"The test demonstrates the capability to modernize Link 16 to operate in a net-centric environment today,” said Joseph McCarthy, vice president and general manager of communications and tactical networks for BAE Systems.
The company said the demonstration was carried out on the Multifunctional Information Distribution System Fighter Data Link terminals and the MIDS Low Volume Terminals, modified to be FAST-compatible.
"MIDS is the NATO name for the communication component of Link 16. Personnel from the Aeronautical Systems Center, Global Cyberspace Integration Center, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Naval Air Systems Command, and other agencies attended the demonstration," the statement said.
BAE Systems previously provided a FAST flight demonstration at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in March 2006, which "demonstrated the ability to add high-speed Internet Protocol connectivity to the MIDS Fighter Data Link," the company said.
"FAST provides network-centric operation for situational awareness and rapid decision-making in airborne tactical environments. FAST is being developed as a cost-effective solution available to all U.S. and coalition forces, providing a real-time exchange of multimedia communications including data, voice, and video," BAE Systems said.
