Objective Interface Systems… Jumping Into JTRS (MILCOM)

[SatNews] Objective Interface Systems, Inc. (OIS) has announced that its ORBexpress(r) product is the middleware foundation for the Multifunction Information Distribution System (MIDS) Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) terminal. The MIDS JTRS terminals provide high-capacity, jam-resistant digital communications of real-time tactical data and voice communication among U.S. and coalition forces on the ground, at sea and in the air.

MIDS JTRS was jointly developed by ViaSat, Inc. and Data Link Solutions L.L.C. (DLS), who independently produce MIDS JTRS terminals for the U.S. government. All JTRS radios are based on the Software Communications Architecture (SCA), which uses the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) as the communications middleware framework. ORBexpress is the only CORBA communications middleware that has successfully passed SCA certification in fielded radios. ViaSat and DLS selected ORBexpress to provide this critical CORBA foundation for their successful MIDS JTRS terminal. ViaSat has separately received a limited production order valued at $14.4 million for its MIDS JTRS terminals. Designed to support functions such as integrated navigation, surveillance, identification, air control, weapons engagement coordination and force direction, the MIDS JTRS terminals will be deployed on platforms ranging from naval warships to aircraft, as well as ground-based command centers. The MIDS JTRS terminal increases capacity over the original MIDS-LVT single channel capability by providing four channels, including the legacy Link-16 and TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation) channel and three 2 MHz to 2 GHz programmable channels, without consuming additional space or weight. MIDS JTRS recently received Type 1 certification from the National Security Agency (NSA) for certified single-channel Link-16 operations along with TACAN navigation on a dedicated channel. Link-16 is a U.S. and allied government-backed system for transmitting broadband, jam-resistant, secure data and voice across a variety of air, sea, and ground-based platforms.