Lockheed delivers new C-30 radio system

Lockheed Martin has delivered an initial small joint tactical radio to the U.S. Air Force for encrypted Internet-protocol enabled networking. The initial, pre-engineering development model radio with initial Wideband Networking Waveform functionality will be used by the Air Force C-130 Integration Laboratory to support integration and architecture validation activities for the lead AMF JTRS USAF platform, the C-130 AMP aircraft. The Airborne Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System is an encrypted Internet-protocol enabled networking radio provides joint users with secure, real-time, interoperable voice, video and data communications. "This is a significant event for the JTRS Enterprise as it represents the first opportunity for the (Air Force) to begin working 'hands on' with software defined radio interfaces for the C-130," said Mark Norris, vice president for the Joint Tactical Network Solutions division with Lockheed Martin's Information Systems and Global Solutions -- Defense. "The delivery also represents an important milestone leading to the incorporation of secure, wideband, Internet-like communications capability into the thousands of (Air Force) platforms currently slated to receive AMF JTRS." Lockheed said that with the delivery of the radio the Mobility Air Forces Airborne Networking Integration team can begin early risk reduction integration efforts and also perform numerous networking, avionics and software checks. Five C-130 models -- C-130J, C-130 AMP, AC-130U, HC-130 and MC-130 -- are expected to incorporate the AMF JTRS system.