[Satellite TODAY 01-11-11] Integral Systems and iDirect Government Technologies will partner as prime contractors under a $10 million U.S. Coast Guard award to equip its large cutter fleet with high-speed satellite communications technology, the companies announced Jan. 10.
    The new system aims to upgrade the Coast Guard’s legacy commercial satellite infrastructure to a Ku-band system. E8350 satellite routers and modems for the system will be supplied by iDirect, while Integral Systems’ satcom solutions subsidiary Avtec Systems will serve as lead integrator, providing Integral’s 117 MT maritime stabilized satellite terminal.
    The five-year, indefinite delivery/indefinite quality contract will include integration of the new system for as many as 76 Coast Guard vessels. The partners will begin implementing the new voice, video and data communications service on three cutters early this year.