Deliver Your News to the World

FAA Inaugurates East Coast Satellite Communications Gateway For FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure Satellite Network


WEBWIRE

WOODBINE, Maryland July 19, 2006 — Representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), Americom Government Services, and Globecomm Systems Inc., will be holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Woodbine, Maryland today to inaugurate the first of two “gateway” teleports for the FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI) satellite communications network, or FTI-SAT. The Woodbine gateway and another teleport located in California will serve as the downlink sites for all remote terminals that are part of the FTI-SAT network. Harris is the prime contractor and system architect for the FTI program.

“The FTI-SAT network is a key component of the overall FTI program, and the inauguration of the East Coast gateway is yet another milestone that will move the FAA closer to realizing the dramatic cost savings of transitioning from its legacy satellite network,” said John O’Sullivan, FTI program vice president for the Harris Government Communications Systems Division. “The satellite network will serve as critical links within the overall FTI network, providing all of the FAA’s remote sites with the best communications technology available for the best value.”

FTI-SAT is replacing legacy satellite equipment at remote FAA sites to improve support of radar, weather, and air/ground communications. The new FTI-SAT network enables the FAA to utilize satellite, microwave or telecommunications technology to provide best-value communications. To date, 30 of 43 satellite sites have been completed and have received customer acceptance. Full service cutover will be complete by the end of August 2006.

Americom Government Services (AGS) and Globecomm Systems, Inc. (GSI), are teammates on the FTI-SAT effort. AGS is responsible for the space segment of FTI-SAT, which includes the satellite transponder and the two gateway earth stations. GSI is responsible for the installation and maintenance of the remote satellite earth stations. Harris is responsible for end-to-end performance, system design, monitoring and control of the FTI infrastructure that connects the gateways to the FAA’s Air Route Traffic Control Centers and to the FTI Primary Network Operations Control Center (PNOCC). Through the PNOCC, satellite communications can now be managed and monitored from a single location, providing the most advanced security sensing and monitoring available today. This added level of network management also ensures that satellite communications receive the same level of service as all other communications services operating as elements of the FTI network.

During the 15-year FTI program, Harris is upgrading and improving telecommunications and operations functions at more than 4,400 FAA facilities nationwide, providing the FAA with a safer, more efficient network that is expected to save hundreds of millions of dollars in operating costs over the life of the program. FTI equipment has now been installed and accepted at more than 1,600 FAA facilities, and more than 7,000 operational services have been accepted and are in service nationwide. Transition from the more costly major legacy services to the FTI network is expected to be completed by December 2007.

Harris is leading a team of top telecommunications companies consisting of AT&T, BellSouth Corporation, Qwest Communications International, Sprint, Verizon Communications, and Raytheon Technical Services. The team is consolidating the Leased Interfacility National Airspace System (NAS) Communications System (LINCS), the Data Multiplexing Network, the Bandwidth Manager, and the National Aviation Data Interchange Network, into an integrated telecommunications infrastructure. Requirements include replacing more than 20,000 circuits, upgrading switching and routing services, improving network monitoring and control, implementing a state-of-the-art security system, and providing network-engineering services.

Harris Government Communications Systems Division conducts advanced research studies, develops prototypes, and produces and supports state-of-the-art, assured communications™ solutions and information systems that solve the mission-critical challenges of its military and government customers, while serving as the technology base for the company’s diverse commercial businesses. Harris Corporation is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. With headquarters in Melbourne, Florida, the company has annual sales of over $3 billion and more than 13,000 employees, including 5,500 engineers and scientists. The company’s four operating divisions serve markets for government communications, RF communications, broadcast communications, and microwave communications. For more information, visit www.harris.com.



WebWireID16982





This news content was configured by WebWire editorial staff. Linking is permitted.

News Release Distribution and Press Release Distribution Services Provided by WebWire.