The program manager responsible for WIN-T’s Commercial SATCOM Terminal Program at the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command in Fort Monmouth, N.J., wanted to update satellite equipment used by U.S. military personnel. To this end, he elicited the help of, and awarded blanket purchase agreements to, engineers at Data-Path Inc., a provider of satellite and wireless communications networks in Duluth, Ga.

DataPath executives won a $3.2 million contract to upgrade DataPath Deployable Ku Band Earth Terminals (DKETs) in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility in Southwest Asia. The contract could increase to a total value of $4.5 million if all options are exercised.

The DKET satellite communications hubs to be upgraded are providing U.S. Army and Navy personnel with critical broadband voice, video, and data communications in theater environments. The impending upgrades, which include adding L band capability, will increase the capacity and flexibility of the DKETs.

“DataPath has worked with the U.S. military to establish the DKET program as a key to network-centric operations on the battlefield,” says Stephen Lindeman, vice president and general manager of DataPath’s Integrated Systems Division. “These SATCOM hubs have delivered broadband capability that drives today’s video-centric, everything-over-IP military network.”

For additional information, visit DataPath Inc. online at www.datapath.com.