Lockheed finishes satellite system

Lockheed Martin officials completed the installation of a new satellite communications system for use by U.S. and allied forces in Iraq.

The Coalition Multinational Network provides U.S. and allied warfighters with high-quality voice and secure broadband data communications via satellite. The advanced technology used in the system allows for direct, terminal-to-terminal connectivity with one satellite hop, which decreases satellite delay by 50 percent and satellite leasing requirements by almost 60 percent, according to a Nov. 15 company statement.

"The use of bandwidth-on-demand technology and network management capabilities significantly reduces recurring costs for both satellite time, and operation and maintenance services," said Richard Skinner, vice president of transformational communications at Lockheed Martin, in the statement.

The system gives U.S. and allied forces high-speed access to numerous servers, databases and applications including e-mail, FTP download, online meeting forums, whiteboard collaboration and instant messaging. It can also deliver streaming audio and video applications, according to the statement.

Lockheed Martin officials developed the Coalition Multinational Network using the Army's Rapid Response Program contract awarded last year. They implemented the system as part of the service's Kuwait Iraq C4 Commercialization project, which provides a communications infrastructure for U.S. and coalition forces.