Cubic’s
Fire Scout Data Link Delivers Clear Video Imagery
During U.S. Army Training Exercise
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – February 11, 2010 – Cubic
Defense Applications, Inc., the defense systems business
of Cubic Corporation (NYSE: CUB), announced its Tactical
Common Data Link (TCDL) successfully transmitted video
imagery to warfighters during a U.S. Army Expeditionary
Warrior Experiment (AEWE) exercise in Georgia this January.
Cubic’s data link system aboard the Northrop Grumman-developed
MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical unmanned aerial system transferred
the real-time tactical full-motion video to the exercise’s
Tactical Operations Center as well as to remote video
terminals at Fort Benning.
Data links are vital to military communications.
They enable air-to-ground and ground-to-ground
transmission of data. Cubic’s Fire Scout
data link system consists of air data terminals
and ground data terminals which use encryption-capable
radio frequency (RF) technology to stream video and data.
“Our TCDL system allows warfighters to see the operational picture on the
battlefield as it’s happening,” said Robert Kalebaugh, senior director
of business development for Cubic Defense Applications, Inc. “During the
Army training exercise at Fort Benning, the TCDL flawlessly transferred imagery
at a data rate of 10.71 Mbps from the Fire Scout to One System Remote Video Terminal
(OSRVT) and ROVER terminals. This is the latest in a string of technical triumphs
for Northrop Grumman’s Fire Scout program.”
“One of Fire Scout’s many operating capabilities is to provide reconnaissance
surveillance and target acquisition support to the warfighter,” said
Al Nikolaus, Northrop Grumman’s Land-based Fire Scout program manager. “Cubic’s
TCDL system provides Fire Scout with the tools to provide this critical capability
to the soldier on the ground.”
During Navy sea trials last year, the data link delivered high-quality video
from the Fire Scout to surface terminals aboard the USS McInerney, which continues
to test the Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned System for operational
use. The U.S. Coast Guard has also been involved in testing the Fire Scout’s
sensor and data transmission capabilities.
Cubic Defense Applications, Inc. is part of the Defense Systems business of
Cubic Corporation. Cubic Corporation is the parent company of three major business
segments: Defense Systems, Mission Support Services and Transportation Systems.
Cubic Defense Systems is a leading provider of realistic combat training systems
and defense electronics. Mission Support Services is a leading provider of
training,
operations, maintenance, technical and other support services. Cubic Transportation
Systems is the world’s leading provider of automated fare collection
systems and services for public transit authorities. For more information about
Cubic,
see the company's Web site at www.cubic.com.
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