TCS gets the wireless point with Marine contract

TeleCommunication Systems Inc. will provide wireless communications technology to the Marine Corps under a new $1.1 million contract. The system will serve deployed Marines who need to communicate securely using microwave radio links.

TCS of Annapolis, Md., will teach five-day classes to train Marine communication operators on the technology, called Wireless Point-to-Point Link. The courses will include classroom lessons and field exercises. The contract is separate from the company's 2007 World-Wide Satellite Systems contract with the military.

The new network package provides Marines deployed in remote areas of the world with point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight transmission of voice, video and data communications.

The technology allows warfighters to extend their local-area networks to deployed locations and use the Non-secure IP Router Network, the Secret IP Router Network, voice over IP and the Defense Switched Network to transmit information as far as 35 miles for point-to-point or 15 miles for point-to-multipoint communications.