General Dynamics Mission Systems

Last updated
General Dynamics Mission Systems
Company type Division
Industry Defense and Aerospace
PredecessorGeneral Dynamics C4 Systems and General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems
Founded1999;25 years ago (1999)
Headquarters,
United States
Area served
Global
Key people
Chris Brady (president) [1]
Number of employees
13,000+ [2]
Parent General Dynamics
Website https://gdmissionsystems.com

General Dynamics Mission Systems is a business unit of American defense and aerospace company General Dynamics. General Dynamics Mission Systems integrates secure communication and information systems and technology. General Dynamics Mission Systems has core manufacturing in secure communications networks; radios and satellite technology for the defense, cyber, public safety, and intelligence communities.

Contents

History

General Dynamics Mission Systems was formed in January 2015 when General Dynamics combined the company's C4 Systems and Advanced Information Systems. [3] General Dynamics C4 Systems was originally owned by GTE and operated as GTE Government Systems. General Dynamics acquired GTE Government Systems in 1999. [4]

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems provided mission-related systems development, integration and operations support. General Dynamics C4 Systems was a leading integrator of secure communications, information systems and technology. [5]

General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies, a subsidiary of GDMS, was sold to CPI International in June 2020. [6]

General Dynamics Mission Systems Logo GDMS-logo-img.png
General Dynamics Mission Systems Logo

Products and programs

General Dynamics Mission Systems Deployable 4G LTE Cell on Wheels (COW) parked outside the New Mexico State Fair. GDMS-Cell-on-Wheels.jpg
General Dynamics Mission Systems Deployable 4G LTE Cell on Wheels (COW) parked outside the New Mexico State Fair.

LTE
General Dynamics Mission Systems has the Cell on Wheels (COW), a deployable emergency LTE solution, that is used by first responders and other public safety officials. It is a mobile cell tower, able to cover about six square miles. This network was created in 2013. [7]

Fortress LTE technology includes Virtual Core Network (vCN), eNodeB Base Stations, LTE Band 14 Outdoor Omni-Directional User Equipment, C-Band LTE User Equipment, LTE USB Stick Modem. 4G Evolved Node B (eNodeB) base stations are software defined radios that house both digital baseband and Radio Frequency (RF) circuits in a compact, rugged, mountable enclosure to eliminate external interfaces and reduce installation errors and setup time. A range of eNodeB form factors are offered for different deployment scenarios and support standard 4G LTE band classes and frequency ranges from 400 MHz to 6 GHz. Virtual Core Network (VCN) is virtual 4G core network that can be deployed on a wide range of COTS computing platforms. The VCN is an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) solution.

Cyber
Cyber Defense products include: TACLANE Network Encryptors, ProtecD@R Data-at-Rest Encryptors, GEM X™ Encryptor Manager, PitBull Operating System and Trusted Network Environment.

Maritime and Strategic Systems
General Dynamics Mission Systems acquired Bluefin Robotics in February 2016. They are a manufacturer of unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) that perform a wide range of missions for the U.S. military and commercial customers. [8]

The Independence-variant Littoral combat ship (LCS) is built on General Dynamics Mission Systems open architecture computing infrastructure (OPEN CI). Austal has been contracted to build for the U.S. Navy as prime contractor subsequent to a $3.5 billion block buy in 2010. [9]

On August, 2016 company successfully completed at-sea testing for its MATADOR Torpedo Detection System under the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP). Tests were conducted on a Royal Canadian Navy Ship.

MATADOR is an acoustic processing system which detecting and tracking heavyweight anti-ship torpedoes. [10]

Radio Communications
The CM-300/350 Series Version 2 radios are the latest additions to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) radios. Based on the FAA NEXCOM Segment 2 radio requirements, these rack mounted transmitter and receiver systems are specifically designed to meet the dynamic mission requirements of air traffic control centers, commercial airports, military air stations and range installations.

MeerKAT Radio Telescope MeerKAT Radio Telescope.jpg
MeerKAT Radio Telescope

Radio Astronomy
The MeerKAT telescope array, a precursor telescope to South Africa’s planned Square Kilometer Array (SKA), comprises 64 radio antennas in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province. When completed in 2016, MeerKAT will be the largest most powerful radio telescope in the Southern Hemisphere until the SKA array is completed in 2024. MeerKAT covers eight kilometers and will facilitate research into cosmic magnetism, galactic evolution, and the large-scale structure of the cosmos, dark matter and the nature of transient radio sources among other science projects. [11]

Space
General Dynamics Mission Systems provides the integrated ground segments for the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) that is being used by the U.S. Navy, which will soon provide cell phone-like communications for warfighters on the move.

Intelligence Systems

TAC-MAAS is a motion imagery processing and exploitation system that is STANAG 4609 / NGA Motion Imagery Standard Profile (MISP) compliant. [12] The international equivalent to this product is D-VEX that is sold by an Australian-based subsidiary, General Dynamics Mediaware. [13]

WIN-T Program
WIN-T: Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) is the Army's tactical communications system. [14] General Dynamics is the Army's prime contractor for WIN-T, [15] which is part of General Dynamics Mission Systems' tactical voice and data communications systems, The Soldier's Network. [16] Increment 1, now fully deployed, began fielding in 2004 and completed fielding in 2012. [17] In November 2007, General Dynamics announced a $78 million order on an indefinite delivery and quantity contract for WIN-T Increment 1. [18] In April 2015, General Dynamics Mission Systems was awarded a $36 million army contract for maintenance and repair of all products related to Increment 1. [19] In June 2015, General Dynamics secured a contract for Increment 2, valued at $219 million. [20] Increment 2 includes additional capabilities, such as mobile broadband. Increment 1 and 2 equipment will remain in the field at the battalion and company levels as Increment 3 is completed. [21]

Subsidiaries of GDMS

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SINCGARS</span> Combat-net radio

Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) is a very high frequency combat-net radio (CNR) used by U.S. and allied military forces. In the CNR network, the SINCGARS’ primary role is voice transmission between surface and airborne command and control assets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint Tactical Radio System</span> Proposed US military radio system

The Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) aimed to replace existing radios in the American military with a single set of software-defined radios that could have new frequencies and modes (“waveforms”) added via upload, instead of requiring multiple radio types in ground vehicles, and using circuit board swaps in order to upgrade. JTRS has seen cost overruns and full program restructurings, along with cancellation of some parts of the program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mobile User Objective System</span> US Space Force communications satellite system

The Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) is a United States Space Force narrowband military communications satellite system that supports a worldwide, multi-service population of users in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band. The system provides increased communications capabilities to newer, smaller terminals while still supporting interoperability with legacy terminals. MUOS is designed to support users who require greater mobility, higher bit rates and improved operational availability. The MUOS was declared fully operational for use in 2019.

Bowman is the name of the tactical communications system used by the British Armed Forces.

A High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptor (HAIPE) is a Type 1 encryption device that complies with the National Security Agency's HAIPE IS. The cryptography used is Suite A and Suite B, also specified by the NSA as part of the Cryptographic Modernization Program. HAIPE IS is based on IPsec with additional restrictions and enhancements. One of these enhancements includes the ability to encrypt multicast data using a "preplaced key". This requires loading the same key on all HAIPE devices that will participate in the multicast session in advance of data transmission. A HAIPE is typically a secure gateway that allows two enclaves to exchange data over an untrusted or lower-classification network.

A wireless ad hoc network (WANET) or mobile ad hoc network (MANET) is a decentralized type of wireless network. The network is ad hoc because it does not rely on a pre-existing infrastructure, such as routers or wireless access points. Instead, each node participates in routing by forwarding data for other nodes. The determination of which nodes forward data is made dynamically on the basis of network connectivity and the routing algorithm in use.

For military communications, the Joint Network Node system, or JNN as it is commonly called, is a communications system the United States Military uses for remote, satellite-based communication. It is described by General Dynamics and the US Army Signal School as "the next generation of battlefield communications."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AN/PRC-148</span> Handheld software-defined radio

The AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR) is the most widely fielded handheld multiband, tactical software-defined radio, used by NATO forces around the world. The radio is built by Thales Communications, a subsidiary of the France-based Thales Group. The designation AN/PRC translates to Army/Navy Portable Radio used for two way Communications, according to Joint Electronics Type Designation System guidelines.

LandWarNet (LWN) is the United States Army’s contribution to the Global Information Grid (GIG) that consists of all globally interconnected, end-to-end set of Army information capabilities, associated processes, and personnel for collecting, processing, storing, disseminating, and managing information on demand supporting warfighters, policy makers, and support personnel. It includes all Army and leveraged Department of Defense (DOD)/Joint communications and computing systems and services, software, data security services, and other associated services. LandWarNet exists to enable the warfighter through Mission Command, previously described as Battle Command. Other U.S. service equivalent efforts to LandWarNet include the Navy's "FORCEnet" and the Air Force's "C2 Constellation."

The British Armed Forces operates a wide range of communications and information systems. Some of these are specialised military systems, while others are procured off-the-shelf. They fall into three main categories: satellite ground terminals, terrestrial trunk communications systems, and combat net radio systems. Every part of the Army and the uses combat net radio, but only the Royal Corps of Signals and the Royal Air Force operates trunk systems and multi-channel satellite communications.

<i>Independence</i>-class littoral combat ship US Navy small coastal combat ships

The Independence class is a class of littoral combat ships built for the United States Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PM WIN-T</span> Military unit

PM WIN-T is a component of Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical in the United States Army. PM WIN-T has been absorbed into PM Tactical Networks as Product Manager for Mission Networks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Etherstack</span>


Etherstack is a provider of wireless communications software for the Professional/Land Mobile Radio and defense industries in Europe, Asia, and North America. Their products encompass wireless protocol stacks, IP-based communication networks, cryptographic communications, Software Defined Radio (SDR), and Software Communications Architecture (SCA) compatible waveforms.

<i>Spearhead</i>-class expeditionary fast transport US navy catamaran

The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport (EPF) is a United States Navy–led shipbuilding program to provide a high-speed, shallow draft vessel intended for rapid intra-theater transport of medium-sized cargo payloads. The EPFs can reach speeds of 35–45 knots, and allow the rapid transit and deployment of conventional or special forces, equipment and supplies.

Air Warrior (AW) is a modular, integrated, rapidly reconfigurable combat aircrew ensemble designed for U.S. Army aircrews. Previous aviation life support equipment consisted of a non-integrated assemblage of protective and survival gear. AW uses a systems approach to equipping the aircrew and closes the capability gap between human and machine. Fielded incrementally in blocks to rapidly provide enhanced capabilities to the warfighter, AW leverages and integrates clothing and equipment, such as the Army Aircrew Combat Uniform and ballistic protection, from other product managers. As of April 2010, more than 18,000 AW systems had been fielded in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Flyer Advanced Light Strike Vehicle platform has been developed by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS), in partnership with Flyer Defense LLC, for the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Ground Mobility Vehicle Program. The Flyer Advanced Light Strike Vehicle platform configurations are the Flyer 72 and the narrower Flyer 60.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bluefin Robotics</span> American robotics company

Bluefin Robotics is an American robotics company, headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts, which specialises in the design and manufacture of military and civilian autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and related technology. The company was founded in 1997, and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Battelle Memorial Institute in 2005. Its products include the Bluefin-21 underwater search robot and its military derivative, the Knifefish minesweeping AUV, which entered service with the United States Navy in 2017. Bluefin was involved in the development of several advanced Navy projects, including the Black Pearl AUV and the Proteus optionally-manned submersible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PacStar</span>

PacStar, part of Curtiss-Wright Corporation's Defense Solutions Division, is a developer and manufacturer of tactical communication and information technology infrastructure hardware and software based in Portland, Oregon. The company was founded in 2000 in Oregon as a reseller of advanced networking and communication equipment and in 2005 began manufacturing communications systems of its own design. The company has multi-million dollar deals with several branches of the US military and also supplies rugged networking equipment to commercial industries. The formerly privately held company was acquired by Curtiss-Wright in late 2020.

The Iris Digital Communications System, also known as the Tactical Command, Control, and Communications System (TCCCS), is a tactical communication system used by the Canadian Army. It was a pioneering system that integrated voice and data communications via the Internet Protocol and ST-II protocol. Elements of the Iris system, together with the High-capacity data radio, later formed the foundation of the British Army's Bowman communications system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mobile Subscriber Equipment</span>

The Mobile Subscriber Equipment (MSE) system was tactical communication system created by GTE Government Systems for the United States Army. Acquisition began in 1985 for echelons below Corps and down to the battalion level. The system was first fielded in February 1988 to the 13th Signal Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.

References

  1. General Dynamics Promotes Marzilli Article
  2. General Dynamics Mission Systems' Website
  3. "General Dynamics radios, secure wireless network support new Air Force deployable landing system". www.aerotechnews.com. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  4. "General Dynamics, GTE in Deal". Los Angeles Times . 23 June 1999. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  5. https://gdmissionsystems.com/about-us/ About Page - General Dynamics Mission Systems
  6. "COMMUNICATIONS & POWER INDUSTRIES COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF SATELLITE ANTENNA SYSTEMS BUSINESS OF GENERAL DYNAMICS" . Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  7. https://gdmissionsystems.com/news-11-8-2013-emergency-officials-new-cell-technology-could-save-lives/ Archived 2016-03-24 at the Wayback Machine News Article from GDMS Website
  8. https://gdmissionsystems.com/news-2016-general-dynamics-mission-systems-acquires-bluefin-robotics/ Archived 2016-03-08 at the Wayback Machine General Dynamics Mission Systems Acquires Bluefin
  9. "Austal's Littoral Combat Ship 6 Completes Acceptance Trials". Austal: Corporate. 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  10. "The latest update on defence contracts awarded" . Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  11. https://gdmissionsystems.com/news-2015-meerkat-antenna-wins-steal-award/ Archived 2016-03-31 at the Wayback Machine News Article on MeerKAT
  12. "TAC-MAAS - General Dynamics Mission Systems". gdmissionsystems.com. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
  13. "D-VEX Video Exploitation". www.gdmediaware.com.au. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
  14. "U.S. Army | PEO C3T | Program Executive Office Command Control Communications-Tactical". peoc3t.army.mil. Archived from the original on 2015-11-21. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  15. "General Dynamics' (GD) Unit Secures $415M DoD Contract - Analyst Blog". NASDAQ.com. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  16. "About". The Soldier's Network. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  17. "Warfighter Information Network - Tactical (WIN-T) · Lockheed Martin". www.lockheedmartin.com. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  18. "US Army Awards General Dynamics WIN-T Increment One". www.deagel.com. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  19. "Contracts for April 20, 2015". U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  20. "General Dynamics Wins $219M WIN-T Increment Army Contract - Analyst Blog". NASDAQ.com. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  21. "Army gets OK for next stage of tactical network -- Defense Systems". defensesystems.com. Retrieved 2015-11-20.