Lockheed Martin introduces maritime test bed

Lockheed Martin has developed a new maritime test bed to assist the US Navy in validating sophisticated intelligence, communications and sensor systems before they are introduced in an operational environment.

The test bed was recently used in a demonstration to show how continually evolving technologies such as data fusion and predictive analytics can be used to share intelligence quickly and securely, even in limited bandwidth naval settings.

The software test platform is designed to mimic different naval environments at sea and ashore. It has been developed with open standards software infrastructure, which allows it to leverage multiple information sources and databases for testing.

The demonstration illustrated the fusion of simulated Aegis radar data with other integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) sensor data to provide a comprehensive picture of the battlespace. Throughout the scenario, the test bed collected, analysed and processed the data, then distributed to simulated platforms at sea and on shore. This collaborative atmosphere allowed users to operate more efficiently, since all units had access to integrated ISR-related activities, which in turn improved situational awareness and battle management planning.

Rob Smith, vice president of C4ISR, Lockheed Martin's Information Systems and Global Solutions, said: ‘The navy is confronted with unique challenges that require superior, faster intelligence sharing. The maritime test bed provides a cost effective, risk reduction platform that can be used for realistic testing to demonstrate what is possible - with the end goal of providing real-time, decision-quality intelligence for the navy.’

According to the company, the maritime test bed can be linked to the Secret Defense Research and Engineering Network and the Defense Research and Engineering Network for testing highly sensitive technologies.