DataPath logs Army satellite network deal

DataPath Inc. won a $181 million prime contract from the Army to deliver specialized satellite communications networks for the Joint Network Node program. The contract is DataPath's largest award to date, company officials said.

The network connects soldiers to the Defense Department's Global Information Grid, and lets military commanders simultaneously prepare and execute multiple missions and tasks. DataPath supplies the network's entire satellite transmission portion.

Under the contract, DataPath of Duluth, Ga., will provide satellite communications Earth terminals, software and additional satellite broadband and baseband systems, and services to support various military units. The company will deliver more than 300 satellite transportable terminals for unit hub satellite communications trucks and several hundred spares kits.

The company's integrated logistics support team will continue expanding its field operations and maintenance, and training staff deployed with units using the satellite transportable terminals and other DataPath systems that support the JNN network.

The company expects to begin production this quarter and complete it in 2007. DataPath will deliver services from now into 2008.

DataPath is a privately owned systems integrator of satellite Earth terminals and wireless communications networks. Besides the Army, its other clients include the Marine Corps and emergency first responders.

The company, which expects annual revenue for 2006 to fall between $280 million to $295 million, ranks No. 37 on Washington Technology's 2006 Top 100 list of federal prime contractors.