Innovative Concepts to Provide Network Centric Capabilities to Taiwan’s Helicopter Programs
14 December 2004 09:58
Innovative Concepts will supply Improved Data Modems V304™ (IDM V304™) through foreign military sales.
The US Navy and US Army, respectively, have selected Innovative Concepts, the design authority for IDM Technology®, to provide its latest design IDM V304™ units both for Taiwan's AH-1W Super Cobras and for its OH-58D Kiowa Warrior program. Kiowa's have been IDM-equipped for several years now but this program represents the first fully-integrated use of IDM Technology® on the AH-1W Cobra and is a major breakthrough in incorporating Cobras into the digitized battle management network concept.
The Taiwan Army operates these two key air combat systems, and the installation of the IDM V304™ on these aircraft is part of a comprehensive upgrade to the platforms that combines updates to many other aircraft subsystems. The Taiwan Army will use the network centric aspects of the IDM V304™ to provide digital hand-off of targeting data between aircraft and ground-based weapons platforms and command and control systems using standardized tactical data communications protocols and message formats that are in use by U.S. military forces and most of its international allies. The addition of the IDM V304™ on these aircraft provides a migration path to expand the capabilities of these platforms in the future, either with additional hardware modules or software upgrades. The IDM V304™ that Taiwan selected is part of the family of IDM Technology®, making it interoperable with older generation IDM hardware as well as with the IDM V304™ version flown by US Army Aviation units.
The IDM V304™ delivers network centric operations (NCO) capabilities directly to the cockpit. NCO as implemented via IDM Technology®, permits rapid, accurate target engagement, efficient fire support synchronization, and a significant reduction in the potential for friendly fire incidents. By adopting digital data transfer, situational awareness is enhanced because friendly unit location information can be automatically updated and displayed to all units.
The IDM V304™ is a lightweight, six-channel tactical modem/router in SEM-E-form providing digital connectivity between and among airborne and ground platforms using existing radios and crypto equipment. The IDM V304™ provides the critical data-link required between airborne and ground units. It also provides the vital air-to-air transmission of target data between IDM V304™-equipped attack aircraft. This air-to-air data communications allows the flight leader to assign individual targets to members of the flight as well as to collect and assess battle damage reports.
For more information on this company:
Innovative Concepts - Military Tactical Wireless Data Communications
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