[Satellite TODAY 09-15-11] TeleCommunication Systems (TCS) has received an additional $20.7 million in funding from the U.S. Army for equipment and field services support for Secret Internet Protocol Router and Non-secure Internet Protocol Router Access Point (SNAP) Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite systems, TCS announced Sept. 14.

   The rugged TCS SNAP VSAT systems used to fulfill SNAP program requirements aim to provide multimedia communications capabilities which convey encrypted voice, video and data.

   The additional SNAP funding will provide equipment and support for TCS’s SNAP deployable communications products. The U.S. Army Project Manager for the Warfighter Information Network – Tactical (PM WIN-T) Commercial Satellite Terminal Program is funding these procurements through the Army’s $5 billion World-Wide Satellite Systems (WWSS) contract vehicle, which has been extended to July 2012. All deliveries under the contract vehicle are required to be completed by Aug. 28, 2012.

   “Being able to communicate securely and effectively in virtually any environment is very often crucial for mission success,” TCS Senior Vice President and Government Solutions General Manager Michael Bristol said in a statement.