Juniper Networks Inc. has provided its Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) routing software for the processor/router for the Transformational Satellite Communications (TSAT) bid being developed by
Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, the companies announced July 23.

The TSAT system will provide warfighters with high-bandwidth, networked connectivity by extending the reach of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Global Information Grid (GIG). Juniper has licensed its Junos software product to Northrop Grumman, which is developing the satellite’s communications payload. Junos and Juniper’s router hardware also is used for the terrestrial portion of the GIG network.

Northrop Grumman and prime contractor Lockheed Martin are competing against a team led by Boeing under separate $514 million contracts for the TSAT program’s risk reduction and system definition phase. The Air Force expects to award a development contract valued at up to $15 billion by the end of 2007. The award will cover design, development, and fielding of up to five satellites plus a spare as well as ground-based space vehicle command and control and the high data-rate ground communications gateway.