[11-12-07 – Satellite Today] Globecomm Systems Inc. has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army to develop a standard network IP modem for use on military and commercial satellites, Globecomm announced Nov. 12.

Globecomm Systems will lead the effort to develop the Joint IP Modem, which will serve as the U.S. Department of Defense’s standard network IP modem for satellites. ViaSat Inc. will serve as a subcontractor responsible for JIPM development and production. The goal of the effort is to leverage commercial technology while providing an open standard based approach, which can form the basis of interoperability for military users.

The contract is valued at $9.9 million and could be worth up to $87 million if all options are exercised throughout the next three years.

Separately, Globecomm announced that posted revenues of $42.3 million in its 2008 fiscal first quarter, compared to $25.7 million in the same period a year ago. Globecomm credited government business for the growth, as revenues from infrastructure solutions increased by 53.5 percent to $26.8 million and revenues from services increased 88.2 percent to a record $15.5 million. The service increase includes $6.4 million related to the acquisition of the GlobalSat business.

Globecomm posted a profit of $3 million in the 2008 first quarter, which closed Sept. 30. In the 2007 first quarter, Globecomm earned $900,000.