Cubic's broadcast data link technology will be incorporated in the Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) system - the world's most advanced near real-time airborne surveillance system for the United Kingdom.

ASTOR, now in development for the British Armed Forces, will offer long-range surveillance and imagery of ground vehicles, troop movements, airfields and transportable launchers.

The Cubic-engineered ASTOR data link - called the Narrowband Data Link Subsystem (NDLS) - is a spin-off from the Surveillance and Control Data Link (SCDL) that Cubic developed for the Joint Surveillance Attack Radar System (Joint STARS).

Raytheon Systems leads the consortium that will develop ASTOR. Cubic and its UK partner, Ultra Electronics, will provide Air Data Terminals, Ground Data Terminals, spares and 10 years of support. The radar system will be installed on Bombardier Aerospace Global Express jets, which will contain data terminals on board that relay information in near-real time to ground stations and other military systems.

The NDLS is a secure all-weather data link for tactical systems relaying mission-critical command, control and sensor data, allowing air and ground commanders to look behind enemy lines.

The broadcast links for Joint STARS and ASTOR are interoperable and can operate in a complex and hostile environment without interference.