[Avionics Today 06-19-2015] The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) has awarded a maximum potential $478 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to Data Link Solutions (DLS), a joint venture between BAE Systems and Rockwell Collins, for the production of Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS JTRS) terminals. MIDS JTRS enhances battlefield communications for joint, coalition, and international warfighters by providing command with the ability to communicate with forces by voice, video and data links over a line-of-sight, jam-resistant channel.
Under contract terms, SPAWAR will place fiscal year 2015 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $1 million on contract and obligated on the first task order concurrent with contract award, which will meet the minimum order requirement. The companies involved expect to combine purchases for the Navy and potentially other U.S. armed services (99 percent) and various other governments, including those of Austria, Chile, Finland, Israel, Jordan, Japan, and New Zealand, among others, as well as NATO and all NATO nations (1 percent), under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. DLS expects to complete the work by June 2020.