Cubic receives contract extension for delivery of Tactical Common Data Links to support Watchkeeper program

Cubic Mission Solutions (CMS), a newly formed business division of San Diego, CA-based Cubic Corporation, announced on July 11 a three-year extension award of $1.4 million from UAV Tactical Systems Ltd. (U-TacS) to provide additional Tactical Common Data Links (TCDL) for U.K. Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Watchkeeper Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) program. The Watchkeeper program, which is recognized as Europe’s largest and most extensive UAS program, provides U.K. armed forces with essential Intelligence, Surveillance, Target acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTR).

Cubic’s high-speed and secure TCDL serves as the wireless connection for transferring data and images from UAS to ground control stations. The TCDL leverages digital signal processing to accept and process high-volume sensor data generated on the air vehicle for transmission to its ground stations. A simultaneous uplink transmits control commands to the air vehicles and its payload.

“Cubic’s TCDL is an integral component to the Watchkeeper system as it delivers reliable, real-time data feeds to key decision makers for greater situational awareness and operational flexibility,” said Mike Twyman, president of Cubic Mission Solutions. “We look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with U-TacS in providing extensive networked capabilities in support of U.K. MOD’s Watchkeeper program.”

The Watchkeeper system provides continuous surveillance in all weather conditions and eliminates the need to deploy aircrews into sensitive or harmful environments. U-TacS is responsible for development, integration, test flights and manufacture of the UAS’ subsystems, including unmanned aircraft, ground control station and other systems.

Source: Cubic Corporation