News

iDirect Government Technologies Partners with Integral Systems to Deliver Satcom Routers and Modems to U.S. Coast Guard as Part of $10M Contract

1/10/2011 12:00:00 AM
By: iGT

The U.S. Coast Guard will equip its large cutter fleet with high-speed satellite communications technology, including routers and modems from iDirect Government Technologies (iGT). Integral Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: ISYS) was selected as the prime contractor and its SATCOM Solutions division, formerly CVG Inc. and Avtec Systems, Inc., will serve as lead integrator on the five-year, $10 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract.

The contract is designed to help the Coast Guard modernize its communications backbone for its fleet of as many as 76 large cutters. The new system will take the Coast Guard from a legacy commercial satellite infrastructure to a Ku-band system, which is more reliable, improves the per-second data transmission speed, significantly increases bandwidth capacity and is more cost-effective. Implementation begins with three cutters early this year with the installation of the voice, video and data communications technology.

“The Coast Guard has multiple missions spanning both homeland security and non-homeland security related activities, which require that the agency be armed with the best technology to meet mission success, including SATCOM for secure and reliable transmission of critical information,” said John Ratigan, President of iGT. “A few years ago, the Coast Guard performed a 90-day pilot of our satellite modems at sea in its large cutters. Prior to being acquired by Integral Systems, CVG was the integrator for that successful pilot. We are excited that our satellite technology meets the Coast Guard’s needs, and we look forward to partnering with Integral Systems in support of this important work.”

iGT will install its e8350 satellite routers that support DVB-S2 transmission technology using LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) and adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) for improved bandwidth efficiencies. The router will provide fast and reliable connections for Communications-on-the-Move, and is compliant with the highest military security requirements and advanced FIPS 140-2 certification.

Integral Systems’ SATCOM Solutions division specializes in fixed and mobile satellite communications applications, bringing years of experience in ruggedized and secure mobile communications technology and integration support. On this contract, Integral Systems’ SATCOM Solutions division will provide its industry-leading 117MT Ku-band Maritime Antenna System. The 117 MT maritime stabilized satellite terminal is a 1.17m Ku-band VSAT system providing the ideal ocean‐going platform for Single Channel per Carrier(SCPC) or on‐demand networks supporting Video Teleconferencing (VTC), Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and large‐file data transfer.

“Through our partnership with iGT, the U.S. Coast Guard will have access to one of the most advanced satellite communications networks available,” said Steve Gizinski, General Manager of Integral Systems’ SATCOM Solutions division. “Our interoperable, commercial-based 117 Ku-band Maritime Antenna System ensures a quick and easy transition as the Coast Guard replaces its legacy network. We look forward to working closely with iGT on this vital program, which will help the Coast Guard better protect the nation.”

About Integral Systems, Inc.
Integral Systems, Inc., Columbia, Md., applies more than 25 years experience to provide integrated technology solutions for satellite communications systems. Customers have relied on the Integral Systems family of companies (Integral Systems, Inc., Integral Systems Europe, Lumistar, Inc., Newpoint Technologies, Inc., RT Logic and SAT Corporation) to deliver on time and on budget for more than 250 satellite missions. Our dedication to customer service has solidified long-term relationships with the U.S. Air Force, NASA, NOAA and nearly every satellite operator in the world. For more information, visit www.integ.com.

About iDirect Government Technologies
iDirect Government Technologies (iGT) is a wholly owned subsidiary of VT iDirect, Inc. created to serve the diverse and specialized needs of the Department of Defense (DoD) and civilian government agencies. iGT brings innovation, integration and intelligence to satellite-based IP communications that government and military organizations trust. By providing the most bandwidth-efficient, scalable and highly secure platform, iGT has rapidly become the technology provider of choice for many mission-critical applications.

Today, multiple U.S. government agencies and military branches depend on iGT to support diverse operations both domestically and abroad. For more information, please visit http://www.idirectgt.com/.