In partnership with the U.S. Air Force, Boeing will develop a system design and demonstrate critical technologies for a secure, high-capacity global communications network serving the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA and the intelligence community.

Under the $472 million contract awarded by the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., the best-of-industry team led by Boeing will conduct risk reduction and system definition for the Transformational Communications MILSATCOM Space Segment. The contract, which extends through 2006, supports the government's network-centric operations vision. This effort provides critical technology maturation for the system, which is slated for launch beginning in 2011 after a selection of a single contractor in 2006.

"Future warfare will be dominated by the control of information. A successful communications, command-and-control and decision making environment will depend on the exploitation of knowledge, and speed of action based on that knowledge," said George Muellner, senior vice president and general manager, Boeing Air Force Systems. "Clearly, Boeing has positioned itself as a leader in the transformational communications arena and this award presents an opportunity for our industry team to partner with the Air Force to advance its transformational vision."

The Transformational Communications MILSATCOM Space Segment incorporates laser communications, next-generation processors and routers, internet protocol, information assurance, network management, and other advanced technologies into an architecture that is compatible with future and legacy space and ground network systems. The system provides survivable, strategic communications services as well as new capabilities such as communications on the move for tactical users, and enhanced airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance connectivity.

Boeing and its industry team members are contributing innovations on other transformational DoD systems such as Future Combat Systems, Joint Tactical Radio System, and Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals. The Boeing team is integrating the expertise gained from these programs directly into this program.

System design will be conducted at Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS), El Segundo, Calif. The Boeing team for the effort includes Raytheon, Ball Aerospace, General Dynamics, IBM, L-3 Communications, Cisco Systems, BBN Technologies, Hughes Network Systems, Lucent Technologies, Harris, EMS Technologies, and Alpha Informatics.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $25 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.