Northrop Grumman awarded Contract to provide encryption devices for FBCB2-Blue Force tracking network
The US Army has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a contract to provide encryption devices that will upgrade communications security of the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2)-Blue Force Tracking (BFT) network, allowing warfighters to more broadly share critical information.
FBCB2-BFT is the key situational awareness and command-and-control system used by US and coalition forces. To date, more than 85,000 FBCB2-BFT systems have been deployed worldwide.
Under the five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract potentially worth $300 million, Northrop Grumman will supply Programmable In-Line Encryption Devices (PIED) for installation in FBCB2-BFT platforms and network operations centers worldwide. The US Army Communications-Electronics Command Contracting Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., awarded an initial delivery order of $18 million on April 16.
The PIED, which is certified by the National Security Agency, will provide vital security to the network by encrypting sensitive data. The PIED software is fully interoperable with the Joint Capability Release (JCR) -- the next version of FBCB2 software developed by Northrop Grumman -- and is designed to support both the currently fielded network and the next-generation BFT-2 network.
"The success of the FBCB2 program in combat operations has increased warfighter demand for the network and the information it can bring to the soldier. The enhancements and expanded interoperability of JCR and BFT-2 will bring even more opportunities for exchanging real-time information with our troops, making the need to secure that information and protect those soldiers increasingly imperative," said Joe G. Taylor, Jr., vice president of the Ground Combat Systems operating unit of Northrop Grumman's Information Systems sector.
"The PIED provides an important and vital component to that protection, and the development and future fielding of the PIED with our teammate, Harris Corporation, represents a significant next step for Blue Force Tracking and the future Joint Battle Command Platform."
Source: Northrop Grumman
More from Digital Battlespace
-
British Army’s ISR commander warns of new challenges facing defence forces
The race between using ISR and resisting the use of it by enemies has accelerated, leading to new methods and systems being required, according to the British Army’s lead on its ISR efforts.
-
Jacobs wins MoD cyber-security support contract
The deal with Jacobs will run until November 2027 and will see the company deliver a range of digital and IT specialist professional services to Defence Digital.
-
Norway to receive maritime surveillance satellite data from Kongsberg
Norway's Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has announced that its subsidiary Kongsberg NanoAvionics will produce three satellites and launch them in 2025.
-
First South Korean 425 Project observation satellite launched
In 2015, South Korea named a consortium of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Systems, along with Thales Alenia Space providing the SAR payload derived from its HE-R1000 product, as preferred bidder to develop new Korea 425 Project reconnaissance satellites.