TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. -- Army civilians here are engaged in a worldwide, multi-year, multi-million dollar mission to modernize a satellite communications system used by the entire Defense Department.
Electronics technicians, engineers, electricians and air conditioning technicians are installing AN/GSC-52B Satellite Communications Terminals called Modernization Enterprise Terminals (MET). They are also de-installing the legacy terminals.
The MET project will result in increased satellite capabilities while reducing acquisition life cycle logistics costs.
"The upgrade will ensure we have sustainable satellite terrestrial systems for years to come," said Jeffrey Roberson, chief of the Satellite Systems Branch. The branch is part of the Production Management Directorate's Communications Division.
Tobyhanna partnered with the U.S. Army Information Systems Engineering Command (USAISEC), Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and the Product Manager Wideband Enterprise Satellite Systems (PM WESS) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, to carry out the installation and testing. The initiative promotes teaming to eliminate redundancies across CECOM subordinate commands, said Bradley Snyder, Enterprise SATCOM Group Leader, Transmission Systems Directorate, ISEC.
"As Tobyhanna and ISEC worked with the project managers, it became apparent that we would have to really focus on teaming to meet the budget and quality objectives of the program," he said.
"We assemble and install the antenna and support equipment onsite," said Richard Quinn, logistics management specialist, Satellite Systems Branch. "After we're done, USAISEC tests and certifies the terrestrial station, which includes the Electrical Equipment Building racks that hold equipment, system control electronics and modems."
Partnering allows Tobyhanna and ISEC to focus their collective energy on core competencies. In this budget-constrained environment, it is important for each agency to perform the work it does best, Snyder said. This creates efficiencies for CECOM and the customer. A side effect is increased cooperation while CECOM teams from ISEC and Tobyhanna work together on site.
"The MET program was a very big challenge for both ISEC and Tobyhanna," Snyder said. "The partnership has produced a level of cooperation that has allowed both agencies to quickly resolve issues and move forward. Tobyhanna has performed well and being their ISEC partner has been a rewarding experience."
Depot teams are comprised of six to 11 people, depending on the antenna version. Snyder noted that the team effort led to advantages for the customer, PM WESS.
"We were able to simplify cost estimates to the customer," he said. "In addition ISEC has reached out to Tobyhanna for installation labor support when we were faced with manpower shortages."
One objective of the partnership is to establish open communications and eliminate competition between CECOM elements.
"I am pleased to report that this has happened," Snyder said. "Information is shared openly. We discuss problems candidly and then resolve them together. This is something I believe is building with time."
Steve McClintock, formerly of the PM WESS office, said the partnership has had several advantages, such as lower cost versus hiring a contractor.
"Also, we've saved time due to not having to award contracts or trying to get quick modifications to systems or components," he said. "And expertise was available close to CECOM. The partnering arrangement has benefited the PM, Tobyhanna, the SATCOM stakeholder and the taxpayer."
McClintock noted the successful 30-year relationship with Tobyhanna that includes manufactuing cables and racks for modems and signal processing systems to up/down converters to several legacy SATCOM antennas and terminals.
"Four MET installations have been completed, led by Engineering Tobyhanna MET Implementation Leads, Bruce Graham, John Flaherty, Norm Dorward and Tim Kennedy. One site was completed in the U.S. while the other three were overseas," Roberson said. "This program is planned through fiscal 2022 in support of the PM's installation schedule."
"The most important issue is the continued trust and quality product Tobyhanna provides to the PM," McClintock said. "If this wasn't in place, we would not have had the long working relationship that has developed and continues to this day. The professionalism and pride Tobyhanna maintains on providing to the PM and the user is outstanding. They strive to maintain an excellent relationship and rapport with all."
Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna's Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C4ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners.
Tobyhanna's unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, technology insertion, modification, and global field support to warfighters.
About 3,200 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., the command's mission is to research, develop, acquire, field and sustain communications, command, control computer, intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors capabilities for the Armed Forces.
Social Sharing