ASTi was selected to provide communications systems for the Joint Distributed Engineering Plant (JDEP) interoperability program. A number of DACS and Telestra systems have been fielded to support this program.

The Joint Distributed Engineering Plant is a DOD-supported program to research and address joint service interoperability issues. It is "... a DOD-wide effort to link existing service and joint combat system engineering test sites... JDEP is designed to improve the interoperability of weapon systems and platforms through rigorous testing and evaluation in a replicated battlefield environment."*
* from the JDEP web site

ASTi systems were chosen to provide communications capabilities for multiple operators at each site, with half and full duplex communications over network radios and intercoms, using a large number of "nets" or frequencies. There are between 4 and 12 operators at each site, and each operator uses an ASTi Hand-Held Terminal (HHT) unit to select a transmit net and multiple monitor nets.

The network topology includes Marconi ATM switch devices, which implement multiple VLANs over ATM between the geographically disparate sites.

Communications equipment at all the sites is centrally managed and monitored using an ASTi Remote Management System (RMS), located at the Joint Program Office in Arlington, VA. The RMS system allows users to view the entire suite of ASTi communications assets on the network, using a web browser interface. Through this interface, administrators can perform communications software configuration management, including comms model upgrades, and backup and restore. RMS also supports equipment status reporting, troubleshooting and administration.

This ability to be able to centrally and remotely manage the ASTi equipment across multiple sites is key to the success of this program.

The list of JDEP sites "on-line" with ASTi equipment is constantly growing. The list currently consists of the following sites:

• Virtual Warfare Center (VWC), Boeing, St. Louis, MO
• AWACS Avionics Integration Lab (AIL), Boeing, Seattle, WA
• Command and Control (C2) Enterprise Integration Facility (CIEF), Hanscom AFB, MA
• Theater Aerospace Command and Control Simulation Facility (TACCSF), Kirtland AFB, NM
• Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC), Ft. Huachuca, AZ
• Joint National Integration Center (JNIC), Schriever AFB, CO
• Aegis Training & Readiness Center (ATRC), NSWC Dahlgren Div., VA
• E-2C Systems Test and Evaluation Laboratory (ESTEL), NAS Patuxent River, MD
• DISA Joint Program Office (JPO), Arlington, VA
• Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA), Camp Pendelton, CA