The Joint Program Executive Office for the Joint Tactical Radio System (JPEO JTRS) announced April 10 that the Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) terminal was approved for full production and fielding. The Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) was signed on April 4, 2012 by Mr. Frank Kendall, Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.
The MIDS Program is one of five major Acquisition Category (ACAT) 1D programs within the JTRS enterprise. MIDS provides interoperable, affordable and secure tactical data link and programmable networking technologies and capabilities for the joint, coalition and international warfighter. MIDS JTRS is a software defined networking terminal that is not only National Security Agency certified with the Link-16 waveform, but is also equipped with Link-16 enhanced throughput (ET) and Link-16 frequency remapping (FR), as well as three additional channels for future waveforms as required by the warfighter.
"This is a major achievement for the MIDS Program. We have faced considerable obstacles in the development and testing of MIDS JTRS over the past few years and due to the phenomenal team in place, we have overcome all of them. The DoD now has a MIDS JTRS terminal that meets warfighter needs and provides a growth path for next generation networking waveforms for Airborne, ground, and maritime warfighting platforms," stated Navy Capt. Scott Krambeck, MIDS program manager.
The MIDS Program, part of the JTRS Enterprise, has provided valuable lessons learned for the other JTRS ACAT ID programs. MIDS is the first of the JTRS family of radios to successfully complete developmental and operational test, achieve NSA certification, and be granted approval to enter full production.
MIDS JTRS is produced by two different vendors, both of which have been found operationally effective and operationally suitable by Commander, Operational Test & Evaluation Force (COTF) and Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E), and will soon attain initial operational capability (IOC) on three different platforms: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, E-8C JSTARS and RC-135 Rivet Joint, for two separate services, the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force.
This accomplishment will bring critical cutting edge software defined radio capability to the fleet and is a significant milestone in providing information dominance to the warfighter.
Capt. Krambeck adds, "The Full Production and Fielding Decision is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. I am proud of the MIDS JTRS team, and I am excited to get MIDS JTRS operating in the fleet and to incorporate new waveforms into the terminal to deliver even greater networking capability in the future."
About JPEO JTRS
The JPEO JTRS program, headquartered in San Diego, Calif., has evolved from separate radio replacement programs to an integrated effort to network multiple weapon system platforms and forward combat units where it matters most — the last tactical mile. JTRS will link the power of the Global Information Grid to the Warfighter in applying fire effects and achieving overall battlefield superiority.
JTRS is developing an open architecture of cutting edge radio waveform technology that allows multiple radio types (e.g., handheld, aircraft, maritime) to communicate with each other. The goal is to produce a family of interoperable, modular software-defined radios which operate as nodes in a network to ensure secure wireless communication and networking services for mobile and fixed forces. These goals extend to U.S. allies, coalition partners and disaster response personnel.
More information regarding JPEO JTRS is available online at http://jpeojtrs.mil.