FULLERTON, Calif., Dec. 7, 2005 /PRNewswire/ -- A new command and control
(C2) system developed by ThalesRaytheonSystems (TRS) recently passed its
interoperability tests, earning itself the U.S. Air Force Systems
Interoperability Test (AFSIT) certification and positioning the system one
step closer to fielding.
Called Battle Control System-Fixed (BCS-F), the new capability will
support military and homeland security missions. Air Force certification is a
major step in preparing BCS-F for use by NORAD (North American Aerospace
Defense Command). This rigorous certification designates that the system is
fully capable of seamless data exchange among Air Force units employing a
variety of modern and legacy tactical data links.
BCS-F is a next-generation air sovereignty system that serves as the early
warning mechanism in the vital U.S. homeland security mission. Advanced
technology incorporates increased sensor capacity and improves
interoperability among hundreds of legacy sensors, including more types of
radars than any other Air Force system. The system correlates and fuses data
from airborne, ground and naval elements and civil air traffic sensors into an
integrated air picture that allows commanders to surveil and monitor the
airspace above, beyond and within the U.S. and Canadian borders.
Additionally, the system will monitor threats internal to U.S. and Canadian
borders, providing a major component for homeland defense.
In the event of potential aerospace attacks, the BCS-F will give the North
American Aerospace Defense Command's 1st Air Force and Pacific Command an
integrated air defense and C2 platform to support their air sovereignty, air
defense and homeland defense missions.
BCS-F communicates via the military's most advanced secure data links and
translates for, and acts as, a gateway among systems that are not
interoperable today.
"We worked closely with our Air Force partners to meet the system's
stringent interoperability standards," said Kim Kerry, chief executive officer
of TRS, U.S. operations. "We believe that Air Force commanders will have
unquestioned confidence in BCS-F's accuracy and reliability."
ThalesRaytheonSystems is an equally owned transatlantic joint venture
between Raytheon Company and Thales Group. ThalesRaytheonSystems is a
worldwide supplier of air defense command and control centers and ground-based
battlefield radars. The company's annual revenue is $700 million, and it
employs 1,500 people.
Contacts:
In the United States In Europe
Vicki Boatman Isabelle Blackburn
714-446-4600 +33.1.69.75.5098
SOURCE ThalesRaytheonSystems
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Vicki Boatman, In the United States,
+1-714-446-4600, or Isabelle Blackburn, In Europe,
+33-1-69-75-5098, both of ThalesRaytheonSystems
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