A€20 M contract has been awarded to EADS Defence Electronics (DE) by US-based ViaSat Inc. to supply core electronics that will enhance the US armed forces’ network-enabled capabilities. The contract covers the delivery of 400 power amplifiers, which are core components of the US Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS).
MIDS equipment is being integrated in many US fighter jets, vehicles and naval ships, and provides the capabilities for setting up a data communications network and thus allows networked operations to be carried out. The system that is also being introduced in Germany, France, Italy and Spain, enables the establishment of a comprehensive situation picture in near real time and improves the cooperation of multinational forces. EADS Defence Electronics was chosen as supplier in the face of strong competition from the US, based on the precision and reliability of equipment previously supplied.