The 22nd Space Operations Squadron mission commander, oversees the Air Force Satellite Control Network antennas from all over the world to ensure they are operating efficiently and providing support to the users at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. Photo is courtesy of the U.S. Air Force — Tech. Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS) has been awarded a $4.9 million contract to modernize the infrastructure and systems that interconnect the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) sites under the AFSCN Network Edge Transport System (ANETS) program — the ANETS system will enable the AFSCN to meet the growing needs of its user community.
Kratos will provide CACI, the prime contractor for this program, and the government a modular, low-risk, turnkey, integrated solution based on mature Commercial Off-the Shelf (COTS) technology. The solution will be comprised of two systems: Wide Area Network Interface Function (WANIF) and a Wide Area Network (WAN) Resource Manager (WRM) system.
Kratos will supply the WANIF units, based on a highly modular and scalable design, to interconnect AFSCN sites. The WANIF units utilize Kratos’ cutting edge technology that provides protection against data loss during IP network transport. Kratos will also supply the WRM, which is based on COTS software applications running on COTS hardware (dedicated servers or private cloud), to proactively manage and control the WANIF units that are deployed globally. The WRM encompasses Kratos’ suite of network management and control products for terrestrial and enterprise network operations, satellite networks and network devices.
The core COTS technologies for ANETS are currently in operation supporting some of the largest and most critical space-ground systems in the world for the Intelligence Community, U.S. Department of Defense and commercial sectors.
Mike Rice, VP of Kratos Space Federal SATCOM & Ground Systems, reported that the company is deeply experienced with the AFSCN, having provided services to support the AFSCN in the past. The new ANETS system will enable the AFSCN to more efficiently scale to meet the increasing demands from AFSCN users.
