The Air Force authorized Northrop Grumman to begin producing the wireless distribution module for the theater deployable communications system, the service’s ground-to-ground communications infrastructure for providing network capability to deployed troops. WDM is a new component of the TDC, which is capable of transmitting voice, data, and video communications securely. WDM consists of a single radio that can operate on both commercial and NATO frequencies. “WDM extends expeditionary communications and information to remote users over greater distances, with more bandwidth, and in a smaller and lighter package, enabling the Air Force to be more effective in achieving its mission,” said Claude Hashem, general manager of Northrop’s network communications systems. The approval to start production follows environmental and operational testing. Northrop said 140 WDM suites are now entering production. (Northrop release)
The Air Force has begun flying its CV-22 Ospreys again. But that is just the start of a multi-step process to return the fleet to normal operations following a deadly crash last year, the service says.