SPAWAR gives Cubic final acceptance
for Navy Communications Data Link System (CDLS)
SAN DIEGO,
Calif. – July 19, 2006 -- Cubic Defense
Applications, the defense segment of Cubic Corporation (Amex:
CUB), announced that the U.S. Navy Space and Naval Warfare
Systems Command (SPAWAR) has given final acceptance to the
first production unit of Cubic’s Communications Data
Link System (CDLS). The action clears the way for Cubic to
produce and deliver more systems for SPAWAR and its organizational
partner, the Navy’s Program Executive Office for C4I
and Space, under a 2003 contract.
The CDLS is an extremely high-speed wideband data link that
transmits signal and imagery intelligence data between reconnaissance
aircraft sensors and associated surface ship processing systems.
The next-generation data link system is expected to significantly
increase the speed and volume of intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance data that can be processed aboard Navy
combat ships, and to ensure quick, accurate and secure distribution
of intelligence data to the fleet.
"It took dedication and focus on the part of Cubic
and PEO C4I and Space to get this vital system delivered
on time. Now Navy CDLS can perform its important duty -providing
superior information faster to our fighting forces," said
Navy Capt. John Pope, program manager for the Navy’s
Communications Program Office.
“Final acceptance of this system is an important
milestone for Cubic, and demonstrates to our customers and
potential customers that Cubic delivers quality data link
and systems technology that is interoperable with legacy
systems developed by others,” said Richard Lober, senior
vice president in charge of Cubic’s Communications
and Electronics Business Unit. “Navy CDLS will also
be an important hub for the Department of Defense’s
network-centric warfare initiatives.”
Cubic delivered its first production Navy CDLS system to
SPAWAR in late May. Destined for installation aboard USS
Tarawa, a Navy ship used to support U.S. Marine Corps amphibious
landings, the system will provide wideband Common Data Link
capability to the Marines. A CDLS qualification system was
installed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower last
summer, and Navy crews have been using the new wideband capability
following successful sea trials aboard the ship.
Trey Cochran, vice president of Program Operations
for Cubic’s
Communications and Electronics Business Unit, said the sea
trials aboard the Eisenhower and other government-sponsored
tests have shown the system’s interoperability with
data links for the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, as well as
SHARP reconnaissance pods aboard tactical aircraft.
Cubic’s 2003 contract with SPAWAR on
behalf of its organizational partner, the Program Executive
Office for
C4I and Space, has a potential value of $94 million, with
$67.5 million awarded to date. Ultimately, Cubic will deliver
a total of 18 systems to SPAWAR. Cubic has delivered seven
of the 18 systems so far, including five qualification systems;
the first production unit, delivered in May; and a second
production unit delivered in early June.
The
Communications and Electronics Business Unit is part
of Cubic Defense Applications (CDA), one of
Cubic Corporation’s
two major segments. CDA 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.