General Dynamics Achieves Satellite Ground System Milestone for U.S. Navy's Mobile User Objective System --Test proves critical ground-to-satellite communications interoperability to provide voice and data communications and geolocation capabilities

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov 09, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- A team led by General Dynamics C4 Systems has successfully completed the second of three incremental ground segment tests for the U.S. Navy's Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), the U.S. military's next-generation narrowband satellite communications system. The company will provide the user entry and integrated ground segments to Lockheed Martin, prime contactor for the MUOS program.

MUOS will provide cell phone-like services to ground-based warfighters, enabling users to communicate directly with each other and their commanders virtually anywhere in the world.

The recent Ground System Build 2 Factory Acceptance Test milestone demonstrated critical voice and data communications as well as interoperability between the MUOS Ground System and a MUOS satellite simulator.

John Weidman, vice president of National Systems for General Dynamics C4 Systems, said, "This is a significant milestone in delivering advanced communications into the hands of warfighters on the move and provides capabilities required for the first satellite launch." The testing demonstrated the system's ability to provide voice and data communication services, including netted services that will allow several warfighters to communicate as a group. Once completed, MUOS will permit the transfer of e-mail, binary files, images and streaming video. It will also provide a geolocation capability to determine the geographic location of sources that could interfere with MUOS communications.

There are three ground system builds that incrementally will deliver the MUOS Ground System. Ground System Build 1 was successfully completed in April 2008 demonstrating the capability to command and control the MUOS satellite. It was installed and tested at the Naval Satellite Operations Centers (NAVSOC) in Point Mugu, Calif., and Colorado Springs, Colo.

The recently completed Ground System Build 2 will be tested with the first MUOS satellite at Lockheed Martin's facility in Sunnyvale, Calif., where final integration of the satellite is underway. Build 2 installation supporting the first MUOS satellite launch and on-orbit testing will occur at the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific (NCTAMS PAC) in Wahiawa, Hawaii.

Ground System Build 3 will complete the remaining ground systems capabilities.

Deploying to four sites around the world, including Wahiawa, to provide global coverage for the MUOS constellation, it will complete testing during the fourth quarter of 2010.

General Dynamics C4 Systems leads a team responsible for the MUOS Ground System segment comprising communications and control interfaces between the MUOS satellites and U.S. Department of Defense earth-based communication networks.

General Dynamics is also developing the MUOS communications terminal and is engineering the wireless protocol for communication between user terminals and the satellites.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif. is the prime contractor and systems engineering lead for the MUOS program. The Navy's Program Executive Office for Space Systems, Chantilly, Va., and its Communications Satellite Program Office, San Diego, Calif., are responsible for the MUOS program.

General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), is a leading integrator of secure communication and information systems and technology.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,300 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company is available online at www.gd.com.

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