FAB-T software qualification testing, AEHF and Milstar C2 demonstration completed by Boeing
NewsJanuary 29, 2013
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA. Systems integration testing and software qualification testing of the U.S. Air Force Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminal (FAB-T) development program have been completed at the Boeing plant in Huntington Beach, CA. Along with a demonstration of FAB-T integration with the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) and Milstar mission control subsystem constellations, the recent tests prove the FAB-T system’s abilities controlling strategic satellite communications payloads on orbit.
Scheduled for further functional qualification testing early this year, the FAB-T program aims at provide protected wideband satellite communications between airborne and ground terminals for U.S. nuclear force Command and Control (C2). Once FAB-T is operational, the system’s communications will be relayed by the AEHF and Milstar satellite constellations, both of which FAB-T commands.
“Boeing has demonstrated via formal software qualification testing and informal system level integration testing that the Boeing design meets FAB-T's functional and performance requirements,” commented Boeing Vice President and FAB-T Program Manager Paul Geery. “We've also demonstrated AEHF spacecraft control, which is critical to FAB-T's mission ... FAB-T will enable the Air Force to perform all satellite control functions, including setting up networks, establishing user traffic priorities, and scheduling satellite beams.”
During the tests, FAB-T used Low-Data-Rate (LDR) and eXtended-Data-Rate (XDR) communications protocols to transmit data. The XDR capability of FAB-T provides improved speed compared to previous systems and an Internet-like functionality. An additional set of FAB-T capabilities that includes National and Presidential Voice Conferencing have also been implemented to the FAB-T system under Boeing’s firm fixed-price contract.
