Navy chooses real-time video data link from Cubic for viewing front-line UAV surveillance video
SAN DIEGO – U.S. Navy communications experts needed a rugged portable data link system to enable warfighters at the leading edge of the battlefield to view real-time video from surveillance aircraft securely. They found their solution from Cubic Corp. in San Diego.
Officials of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in San Diego announced a $20.9 million contract to Cubic last week for Portable Common Data Link (PCDL) systems.
The Cubic Team-Portable Common Data Link provides intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for battle groups at the tactical edge. It has small, lightweight components that can be hand carried and assembled by the warfighter at any location, company officials say.
The contract calls for Cubic to build and deliver 25 TacMobile Person PCDL systems and spare parts for tactical operation centers and mobile tactical operation centers.
The Cubic Team-Portable CDL can stream video from airborne sensors to enable the warfighter to obtain sufficient real-time information to locate and identify the enemy via a PC or ruggedized laptop computer, mini directional antenna, and TP CDL.
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The system can operate with Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL)-based platforms, including ships, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), manned fixed-wing combat aircraft, and helicopters.
The Team-Portable CDL also provides UAV level 3 command and control.
The system provides a tactical common data link that complies with the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) specification; full-duplex communications; complies with the TCDL interoperability profile; enables reception of ISR data to include streaming video; modular ruggedized packaging; performs AV command and control targeting application; performs text messaging; acquires and tracks ISR aircraft automatically; is battery operated with minimal power requirements; and is available as a receive-only remote viewing terminal.
The contract has an 18-month base period for buying the PCDL systems and four one-year options for production and engineering services. Cubic will do the work in San Diego, and should be finished in September 2018. If SPAWAR exercises all options the job will continue through September 2022.
For more information contact Cubic Corp. online at www.cubic.com.
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John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
