Cubic Defense Systems Enters the Common Data Link Business.

Business Editors

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 2001

Cubic Defense Systems, a subsidiary of San Diego-based Cubic Corp. (AMEX:CUB), has made a strong entrance into the Common Data Link (CDL) business after recently completing a major test of its CDL capabilities at the Naval Air Warfare Center China Lake near Ridgecrest, Calif.

Cubic successfully tested its new digital signal processor (DSP) based CDL at China Lake on May 8, 2001. In a series of tests, Cubic's CDL synchronized with legacy government CDL systems and communicated navigation data, digital audio, and pseudo-random test data.

The tests were conducted by the Department of Defense's Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC). Based at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., the JITC conducts independent compliance, interoperability, operational tests and evaluations or assessments, and verifies or certifies Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) systems that are used by U.S. military services and agencies or are being considered for potential U.S. military acquisition.

The military services use CDLs to bring radar images, video and other sensor information from surveillance aircraft to analysts stationed on Navy ships or other surface terminal locations. The China Lake tests demonstrated the Cubic CDL's compliance with the DoD's test standard CDL communication system -- the Modular Interoperable Surface Terminal (MIST). The Cubic-built terminals successfully communicated with the MIST across the full band of test frequencies. The Cubic system also completed error free Bit Error Rate (BER) testing on high data rate and low data rate channels.

"Our equipment performed all of the tests flawlessly," said Kirk Clemmensen, program manager of product development for Cubic Defense Systems' Tactical Electronics Products (TEP) group. "Successful JITC testing at China Lake is a very effective demonstration of the capability of Cubic's DSP-based CDL equipment."

Howard Peckham, business development manager for the TEP group, said the Cubic CDL system is smaller, lighter in weight and less expensive than currently used CDL systems.

"With this JITC evaluation behind us, Cubic Defense Systems is formally in the CDL business, and our future looks very good," Peckham said.

The JITC will issue a formal letter verifying that the test took place and that the results were positive. The Cubic CDL team will continue to expand their modern designs to include additional features requested by potential users.

"We greatly appreciate the Navy, Air Force, and JITC's support for these tests," Clemmensen remarked. "They have a good motive -- they want the benefits of modern, low-cost designs for their users."