Insitu's Integrator flies L-3's Bandit digital data link

BINGEN, Wash., Dec. 18, 2009 – Insitu Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], has successfully flight tested L-3 Communication Systems-West Bandit digital data link onboard the Integrator unmanned aircraft system (UAS). This flight test demonstrated communications well in excess of range requirements. Insitu is integrating the Bandit digital data link into ScanEagle, NightEagle and Integrator UAS.

Bandit is Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) capable, which improves operations security and is ROVER 4 and ROVER 5 compatible, enabling ground forces to see real-time data streams from Insitu UAS using small laptop devices. The information provided by the new, encrypted digital data link can enhance situational awareness and surveillance for convoys and other missions where improvised explosive devices and other threat detection is required. Insitu’s entire family of UAS are ROVER 4 and ROVER 5 compatible to streamline mission operations and minimize footprint.

Earlier this year, Insitu conducted test flights on the ScanEagle with a similar encrypted digital data link from L-3. The core technologies from that data link were used to create the Bandit with a design suitable for integration into small unmanned aircraft.

“Integrator was specifically designed to integrate new payloads quickly. The modular design of the aircraft, supported by our open system architecture, allowed our team to successfully integrate the L-3 Bandit radio in just a few days. The system performed extremely well and exceeded all flight test requirements,” said Insitu Vice President of Emerging Programs Bill Clark.

Integrator can respond quickly to new customer requirements that may arise in rapidly changing maritime and ground operations. Integrator supports multiple communications and sensor systems – all available in a single mission sortie – so warfighters have the benefit of receiving a broad array of intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance data simultaneously.

Insitu will offer the Bandit encrypted digital data link as an option on ScanEagle and NightEagle platforms. The modular design of the aircraft enables the the digital data link to be retrofitted onto systems in theatre.

“L-3 is pleased to work with Insitu to bring secure, digital communications to the Integrator, ScanEagle and NightEagle” said Susan Opp, president of the Communications Group of L-3 Communications. “I am proud that the new L-3 Bandit data link also meets and adheres to the AES encryption standard recently mandated by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. We understand what these new security mandates mean to the warfighter and our team has worked very hard to meet these requirements.”

Insitu Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, located in Bingen, Wash., designs, develops and manufactures UAS and provides associated services for commercial and military applications. With a small footprint and expeditionary focus for both land and sea operations, the company’s family of UAS solutions is serving the needs of the global defense community, achieving more than 250,000 operational flight hours and 31,000 sorties to date. Visit www.insitu.com for more information.

L-3 Communication Systems-West is a leader in communications systems for high-performance intelligence collection, imagery processing and satellite communications for Department of Defense (DoD) and other government agencies. The company provides high-data rate, wideband, secure, real-time communications systems for surveillance, reconnaissance and other airborne intelligence collection systems. To learn more about L-3 Communications, visit www.L-3com.com/CSW.