Austin, TX - March 26, 2009 -
Overwatch Tactical Operations, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a
Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that its
Communication Systems business area has received an award from Thales -
France to provide five sets of Ka/Ku multiband satellite communications
(SATCOM) antennas for use on the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Nansen-class
frigates.
This advanced Ka/Ku multiband solution minimizes the required
amount of deck space, which is at a premium, by combining the
functionality of two antennas into a single antenna that provides
maximum operational flexibility through remotely reconfigurable
frequency band control. Partnering with key vendors including Pacific
Radome and the Microwave Components Group of Cobham Sensor Systems,
Overwatch Tactical Operations antenna multiband solution will be
integrated into Thales’s sea-proven SURFSAT naval SATCOM family of
products to provide unmatched performance for the Royal Norwegian Navy.
“We began development of our patented, unique approach to
multiband antenna technology well over a decade ago. We saw an emerging
operational need for SATCOM terminals to match the multiband
capabilities of the satellites with which they communicate,” explains
Business Area Manager Terry Benson of Overwatch Tactical Operations.
“In the shipboard environment, our solutions address deck space
limitations while maximizing operational flexibility by providing
simultaneous multiband SATCOM capability in one antenna. As a result,
our customers never need to compromise between form and function for
their shipboard, teleport, transportable or flyaway applications.”
The antenna design is based upon Overwatch Tactical
Operations’ patented feed and lens technology. Utilizing a field-proven
coaxial cavity design for individual frequency bands produces a feed
which provides separate, electrically isolated outputs for each band in
the desired polarization orientation. In conjunction with the basic
feed design, a patented lens technology is used to focus the feed based
on the antenna aperture (shape and size) to meet the gain and
efficiency requirements.
Overwatch Tactical Operations is an industry leader in providing multiband SATCOM solutions. For more information, e-mail multiband@overwatch.com.
About Overwatch Tactical Operations
Overwatch Tactical Operations is an operating unit of Textron Systems,
a Textron Inc. company, providing a suite of integrated software tools
that is dedicated to the analysis, design, development, and support of
complex intelligence, information, and communications systems. As a
leader in software C4ISR systems, we use industry standards to provide
intelligence products that are light-weight, portable, scalable, and
interoperable for the warfighter, first responder and counterterrorism
analysts. Overwatch Tactical Operations has obtained Capability
Maturity Model Integration (CMMI®) Level 5 rating and AS9100,
ISO9001-2000 certifications. Overwatch Tactical Operations is committed
to the warfighter. For more information about the company and product
demonstrations, contact business development at 512-358-2600 or visit
the company Web site at http://tactical.overwatch.com.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems Corporation has been providing innovative solutions to
the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for over 50
years. Known for its precision smart weapons, intelligent battlefield
systems, surveillance systems, intelligence software solutions,
aircraft control components, piston engines, armored vehicles and
unmanned aircraft systems, Textron Systems includes AAI, HR Textron,
Lycoming Engines, Overwatch Geospatial Systems, Overwatch Tactical
Operations, Textron Defense Systems, and Textron Marine & Land
Systems. Textron Systems Corporation is an indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.textronsystems.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a $14.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 28
countries with approximately 42,000 employees. The company leverages
its global network of aircraft, defense and intelligence, industrial
and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions
and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands
such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex,
Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Systems and Textron Financial
Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.
SOURCE: The Textron Company
