U.S. Marine Corps releases SPEED software upgrade
NewsAugust 19, 2013
ORLANDO, FL. A new version -- 11.1.1 -- of the the Systems Planning, Engineering and Evaluation Device (SPEED) software for electromagnetic spectrum situational awareness and operations was released by the U.S. Marine Corps.
Northrop Grumman engineers developed SPEED, which enables communications operators to plan, model and then analyze radio and jammer effects in a defined electromagnetic spectrum environment so they can better understand where communications degradation or interoperability issues may occur. The new version brings 3D mapping and mission planning capabilities, including frequency-dependent rejection interference analysis, effectiveness prediction, and enhanced jammer modeling. Officials at the Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, VA, approved the new software for release last month.
While originally developed for the Marine Corps, SPEED is utilized by other services within the U.S. Department of Defense and joint operations as well as other U.S. federal agencies. SPEED has also been used by a select few foreign nations through the Foreign Military Sales program.
This release represents significant advancements in both front-end user experience and back-end modeling and simulation, says Mike Twyman, sector vice president and general manager of the Northrop Grumman Information Systems Defense Systems division. "This software provides critical integrated functionality that can support both Marine Corps and Army spectrum management and electronic warfare requirements.
Northrop Grumman deployed the first version of SPEED back in 1988. The software is a government off-the-shelf product available to U.S. government agencies. Northrop Grumman also has a commercial variant of these capabilities available for licensed sale.
