L-3 Communications announced that its Storm Control Systems' ARTS Interface Module (AIM) unit was selected by TRW Systems Information and Technology Group for a classified command and control program.
The program provides centralized, transparent connectivity between external command and control systems and tracking stations on the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN).
TRW selected L-3 Storm's AIM solution as a result of its performance during a detailed trade study that included operations using AFSCN Automated Remote Tracking Stations (ARTS) and satellites.
"This contract further validates AIM's leadership position in the marketplace," said Rich Grich, vice-president of L-3 Storm Control Systems. "AIM has become the standard for commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products, providing connectivity between a spacecraft command and control system and an AFSCN tracking station without relying on the other command and control systems."
Grich further noted that AIM's installation base surpasses 60, with customers including TRW, Lockheed Martin, the Navy Research Lab and Gencorp Aerojet.
Storm Control Systems is a unit of L-3's Telemetry & Instrumentation division. Storm offers end-to-end solutions for spacecraft command and control, payload processing, satellite integration, network management and remote equipment control.
Storm solutions are characterized by the ability of a single system to control constellations comprised of several different types and models. Customers include the U.S. Air Force, Hughes Space and Communications, EarthWatch, Inmarsat, Raytheon, several Lockheed Martin divisions, Space Systems/Loral, TRW, Orbital Sciences, Loral Orion and Telespazio.
