INDUSTRY

Global Crossing and Northrop Grumman are expanding for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) their Distributed Mission Operations Network (DMON) internationally, having recently connected air bases in Spangdalhelm, Germany and Kadena in Okinawa, Japan. There are also plans to turn up the air base in Misawa, Japan later this month and more sites by the end of the year. Since 2001, the companies have been running secure, private high-speed IP applications that use Global Crossing's ATM capabilities and ride on its converged, multi-protocol backbone to deliver high-performance and real-time connectivity for the USAF's Distributed Mission Operations and flight simulation training. The Spangdalhelm and Kadena sites are now operational, bringing the total number of DMON training sites served by Global Crossing's network to 25. Northrop Grumman selected Global Crossing in 2001 as a sub-contractor to provide the fiber optic backbone and broadband connections for the DMON, which it oversees under an operations and integration contract. The DMON is a fiber optic network that currently delivers at least six megabits per second to each training site. It powers highly secure, real-time connectivity for a group of advanced simulators that allow, for example, F-15C fighter pilots and Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) at different locations to join forces and train composite air missions. "We're continuing the groundswell on this important U.S. Air Force initiative with our long-time partner Northrop Grumman," said John Legere, Global Crossing's chief executive officer. "Our highly available and reliable network enabled this high performance solution, which positions the United States Air Force on the path to fully converged communications for the DMON and other IP applications that require global reach, real-time connectivity and outstanding performance." Each fighter site has two to four high fidelity cockpits that can be linked across local-area networks or long-haul networks by Global Crossing's ATM service with other sites. Global Crossing brings the flexibility to do inverse multiplexing by bonding multiple T-1s over Global Crossing's ATM service, which results in higher bandwidth and lower latency for IP applications, as well as a more reliable and cost-effective solution than T-3 installations. Northrop's flight simulation application supports broadcasts of video-based mission briefings as well as real-world terrain. Networking capabilities enable the warfighters to experience the entire mission virtually, including preflight briefings and after mission debriefings on their performance. "Global Crossing's capabilities support the rapid deployment and easy expansion of just this sort of IP-centric application," explained Global Crossing's Paul O'Brien, executive vice president for global enterprise and collaboration services. "The DMON is a perfect example of an IP application that runs over ATM; and how we can employ ATM and other access modes to enable secure and reliable applications around the world." Because Global Crossing's ATM service is highly flexible and scalable, Northrop Grumman can add or reconfigure locations as the Air Force's communications needs change. Flexible access speeds from DS0 to T1 and E1 enable Global Crossing to satisfy a variety of bandwidth needs and offer different speeds for different media. Global Crossing's network is also backed by an unprecedented Network Security Agreement that requires Global Crossing to implement logical and physical network solutions that are subject to the most stringent internal governance and third-party audits in the telecommunications industry. "A key strength of Northrop Grumman is our ability to recognize the potential of emerging technologies and to apply them to the benefit of our customers," noted Northrop Grumman's Bruce McGregor, program manager for Northrop Grumman's Distributed Mission Training Operations and Integration Project. "Global Crossing's service transports time sensitive voice, video and data communications with end-to-end, global quality of service." The DMON plays an important role for the U.S. Air Force in helping Air Expeditionary Force units prepare for deployment by allowing them to train at their home bases prior to moving to their assignments.