July 20, 2001 – The US Navy recently integrated a large network of ASTi Digital Audio Communication Systems (DACS) into their "Network of the Future" [Network Centric Warfare (NCW) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) network]. This complex ASTi system provides critical voice communications for the network, called "a first for the Navy laboratory community"*.

The systems link up to 70 operators and 16 live-radio circuits at twelve Naval Air Systems Command laboratories and ranges located at nine different sites. Each site is connected to the nationwide Secret Defense Research and Engineering Network (SDREN). Sites include:

• NAS Patuxent River, MD:
  • P-3 Program Hardware Integration Center
  • E2-C Test and Evaluation Lab
  • Atlantic Test Range
  • Air Combat Environmental Test and Evaluation Lab (ACETEF)
• NAS China Lake, CA:
  • Land Range
  • F/A-18 Advanced Weapons Lab
  • Integrated Battlespace Arena (IBAR)
• NAS Point Mugu, CA:
  • F-14 Weapons Systems Integration
    
  • Sea Range

ASTi's complete solution consists of commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) products and systems featuring Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) and High Level Architecture (HLA) interfaces, preconfigured radio and intercom software matching customer's specification, and a complete set of headsets, user control interfaces and cabling.

This turnkey approach, using all COTS products, facilitated a rapid installation schedule. ASTi systems were installed and successfully tested at a rate of two sites per day. ASTi also provided a complete customer support package, including on-site installation and testing, training courses, and engineering consultation.

To read more about the Navy's NCW RDT&E "Network of the Future", see:
http://www.nawcwd.navy.mil/%7Epacrange/2000/NetCent2.htm

* - Quote from NAWCWD Public Affairs Office's "The Weaponeer", December 7, 2000.