Cubic Unveils New Tactical Communications
Products
at Major Military Exposition
SAN DIEGO, CALIF., Feb. 1, 2005 – The
defense segment of Cubic Corporation (AMEX:CUB) unveiled
its next-generation
tactical communications and signal intelligence products
today at the Western Conference and Exposition (WEST 2005),
a major Armed Forces communications and electronics show
that runs Feb. 1-3 in San Diego. The new technologies will
help the military ensure real-time situational awareness
on land, air and sea.
The products – including a man-portable data link
and a “FORCEnet” enabled signal intelligence
package – are variants of Cubic’s Tactical Common
Data Link (TCDL). Cubic’s TCDL was recently selected
for the UK’s WATCHKEEPER program, the most significant
UAV program in Europe, which will employ unmanned aircraft
for intelligence gathering missions.
Cubic’s data links products are designed
to support air-to-surface transmission of radar, imagery,
and other
sensor information between manned and unmanned aerial vehicles,
ground station networks and shipboard platforms.
“Drawing upon more than 15 years of experience in
providing data links for the Joint STARS program, we are
leveraging our technology to ensure that all branches of
the military have access to a common, interoperable data
link. This will help fulfill the DoD’s requirements
for a network-centric capability,” said Rick Lober,
senior vice president of Cubic’s Communications and
Electronics Business Unit.
The new TCDL products are interoperable with
the U.S. Navy’s
next-generation Communications Data Link System (CDLS), also
on display at WEST 2005. Cubic is providing the Navy CDLS
under a five-year contract potentially valued at $92.7 million.
The man-portable TCDL system provides intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance (ISR) for the foot soldier on-the-move.
It features small, lightweight components that can be hand-carried
and easily installed by troops.
A key advantage of the man-portable TCDL
is its streaming video capabilities for airborne sensor
platforms. This allows
the user to obtain time-sensitive information to precisely
locate and identify the enemy – anywhere, anytime on
the battlefield – using a ruggedized laptop, mini antenna
system and compact TCDL.
Cubic is currently developing the man-portable system for
the U.S. Marines under a contract awarded in 2004. The system
can operate with any TCDL-based platform, including ships,
UAVs, combat aircraft and helicopters.
Cubic’s new FORCEnet-enabled signal intelligence package
takes data links technologies to a new level. It merges Cubic’s
TCDL with its digital CDR-4000 receiver to extend surveillance
capabilities for the military and intelligence communities.
The compact data link/ receiver package can be pod-mounted
on combat aircraft or installed inside UAVs and ground station
networks. Cubic is currently demonstrating the feasibility
of the pod-mounted configuration for the U.S. Navy.
The package allows authorized users to remotely
monitor a wide range of signals and obtain positioning
data – anywhere
on the military’s Global Information Grid -- through
a secure LAN browser. Using this “FORCEnet” computer
network, users can monitor, track and time-tag the frequency
of their choice at multiple locations.
At WEST 2005, Cubic will also highlight the following new
products under development:
High-Frequency
Communications – Cubic is making inroads
in the military community with the integration of its HF
power amplifiers aboard U.S. submarines. As part of the AN/USC-61
Digital Modular Radio (DMR) system, Cubic is developing a
500W power amplifier that will be merged with General Dynamics’ software-defined
radio system. General Dynamics is developing the DMR for
the DoD’s Program Executive Office for C4I and Space.
The DMR system is a software-controlled and reconfigurable
digital communication system that improves the Navy’s
ability to communicate with diverse legacy radios.
Combat
Search-and-Rescue – Cubic continues to lead
the market with its Personnel Locator System (PLS). The company
is beginning shipments of a completely redesigned AN/ARS-6
PLS – the version V12 – which replaces the traditional
system. Cubic’s PLS has been the standard combat search-and-rescue
system for the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and NATO for 17
years. Like the traditional system, the V12 system covertly
and precisely locates downed or missing pilots, in a single
pass under harsh operation conditions, while concealing their
location from the enemy.
The smaller, lighter and more powerful AN/ARS-6 V12 system
includes extended and improved voice communications over
the entire UHF spectrum; interoperability with all standard
emergency beacons; plus new data features that allow two-way
text messaging and GPS location from new-generation survival.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Special Operations Command
is the first customer to receive the V12 system.
The Cubic Defense Applications group, one of Cubic's two
major segments, is a world leader in realistic combat training
systems, mission support services and defense electronics.
The corporation's other major segment, Cubic Transportation
Systems, designs and manufactures automatic fare collection
systems for public mass transit authorities. For more information
about Cubic, see the company's website at www.cubic.com.