[Satellite Today 07-10-09] TeleCommunication Systems (TCS) has received an additional $6.8 million of funding from the U.S. Army to provide additional Secret Internet Protocol Router (SIPR) and Non-secure Internet Protocol Router (NIPR) X-band VSAT Satellite Systems, TCS announced July 9.
    The order, under the Army’s SNAP program, includes options for about 1,500 terminals and supporting equipment to be deployed in various sizes and configurations over the next few years, along with up to 30 field support personnel.
    “This is a dual first for TCS. It is the first time we will be fielding the X-band versions of our SNAP terminals and the first time we will be deploying them in Africa," Michael Bristol, senior vice president of government solutions for TCS, said in a statement.
    The combined award is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Life Cycle Management Command order, announced in August , with a potential value of $232 million, and brings TCS’ total funding for this project up to $55.9 million.