Tachyon Inc., a provider of two-way, enterprise-grade broadband data networking services via satellite, today announced it has entered into a development partnership with the Space Directorate, Space and Missile Defense Battle Lab (SMDBL), United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC).
Effective immediately, Tachyon Inc. and the Space Directorate will begin developing transportable products for two-way, broadband data networking communications.
The new products will leverage Tachyon Inc.’s patented, Internet Protocol (IP) over satellite technology, re-packaging it for rapid and mobile deployment using the expertise of the Directorate. Tachyon Inc. and the Space Directorate will each independently fund their own efforts under the partnership.
The first products resulting from the alliance will be unveiled at the Millennium Challenge 2002 (MC02), which is a major tactical exercise that assesses how the United States Armed Forces can deploy for a rapid, decisive operation this decade. Run by the U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM), MC02 will take place in July and August 2002 in the military’s Western U.S. training ranges.
“This important partnership delivers Tachyon Inc.’s unique commercial applications to the military broadband data networking communications marketplace for the first time,” said Mark Gercenstein, Tachyon Inc.’s president and CEO.
“The agreement involves the adaptation of current Tachyon Inc. technology to provide tactically relevant products for use by all U.S. Army combat units. At the same time, it sets the stage for us to adapt the resulting new products for our commercial customers — an endeavor that we believe will be tremendously successful.”
The joint project will serve as a vehicle for early introduction of commercially available technology to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). Achieving compliancy with DOD and other federal agencies’ communications requirements, including network security and geographical reach, is therefore intrinsic to the project.
“Space-based products are key enablers for 21st Century warfare,” said Kirby Brown, director of the Space Directorate.
“This partnership with Tachyon Inc. and its product line facilitates the Battle Lab’s ability to quickly provide the war fighter with the benefits of space-based technology. By leveraging state-of-the-art technologies, the Space Directorate endeavors to ensure the full integration of space capabilities into this country’s arsenal of the future.
“The Space and Missile Defense Battle Lab’s mission is to expedite the delivery of innovative technology and space-based capabilities into the hands of today’s and tomorrow’s soldiers.”
The Space and Missile Defense Battle Lab (SMDBL) is a Major Subordinate Element (MSE) of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. The Battle Lab is a split-based operation with its headquarters and some operational elements in Huntsville, Ala. and space focused operations located in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Larry Burger serves as the director of SMDBL. The Battle Lab links technology and the war fighter through experiments and demonstrations simulating modern “battlefield” conditions, often using sophisticated computer simulations, interfaces, and networks.
