Pennsylvania hands wireless contract to Aether Systems

Aether Systems Inc. has won a contract worth more than $7 million from the Pennsylvania State Police for wireless public safety software and systems, the company announced Aug. 13.

Under the contract, Aether Systems of Owings Mills, Md., will provide its PacketCluster Patrol and PacketWriter wireless products for installation in 1,600 patrol vehicles throughout the state.

Aether's products will provide state troopers with wireless access to criminal records, dispatch, report writing and messaging applications designed to improve productivity and enhance safety.

PacketCluster give officers in the field direct access to motor vehicle and warrant information within seconds, reducing risk in potentially dangerous situations. PacketWriter is a mobile field reporting device that gives public safety agencies the benefits of real-time data collection and access to mission critical information.

The rollout of Aether's public safety products is a component of Pennsylvania's Incident Information Management System, an effort by the state to modernize and improve its ability to fight crime with the latest technology. Lockheed Martin Management and Data Systems, a unit of Lockheed Martin of Bethesda, Md., is the systems integrator for the $123 million IIMS contract, and is responsible for overseeing the efforts of Aether and other subcontractors and vendors.

Aether Systems, a provider of wireless and mobile data solutions, has more than 850 employees and annual sales of $112 million, according to Hoover's Online of Austin, Texas.