Duluth, Ga. – June 6, 2006 – DataPath, Inc., a global solution provider for mission-critical communications, today announced that the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) in Fort Monmouth, N.J., has awarded the company a $72.9 million firm-fixed-price contract to provide specialized satellite earth terminals and support services for the Joint Network Node (JNN) program. The contract includes 92 DataPath ET 3000 Portables™, which the U.S. Army refers to as Satellite Communications Transportable Terminals (STT), and two DataPath DKET 4530Ku Mobiles™, which the U.S. Army refers to as Unit Hub SATCOM trucks.

The JNN program provides reliable and portable communications to the U.S. Joint Forces deployed to Iraq, including the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry, 101st Airborne, 4th Infantry and 10th Mountain Division, among others.  Since the initial implementation of the program in 2004 to support the U.S. Army’s transformation to a global, network-centric force, DataPath has delivered high-quality, ground-based satellite communications networks that provide U.S. forces with quick access to high-bandwidth communications capabilities, regardless of how remote or extreme the environment.  

“Our troops require reliable beyond-line-of-sight, mobile communications on the battlefield,” said John Lane, project leader, Commercial SATCOM Terminal Program, Army.  “Satellite communications networks offer flexibility and high bandwidth for more advanced applications, no matter where our forces are located.  The JNN program has been a tremendous success in moving the network out to the end-user of mission-critical information, transforming the speed of deployment and coordination capabilities of our forces.” 

DataPath will also extend its training and operations and maintenance support for the JNN program with an additional 29 personnel contracted for in the agreement. These support personnel will begin training with U.S. forces pre-deployment, and will then deploy with them to the theater of operations to help manage and optimize communications networks. DataPath’s Integrated Logistics Support team currently has more than 50 employees deployed in Iraq for the program.

“We are committed to partnering with U.S. forces to help them achieve their mission and protect their troops,” said Andy Mullins, chief executive officer, DataPath. “This partnership is reflected in both the quality of the networks we have designed for their specific needs, and in the dedication of our employees working side-by-side with U.S. forces in the field. This latest contract is a testament to our successful ongoing work on the JNN program, and we look forward to extending our support in order to meet evolving mission requirements.”

“DataPath has become a key player in enabling network-centric operations, delivering critical ground-based satellite communications infrastructure for the JNN,” said Andrea Maléter, technical director of the Space and Telecommunications Division at Futron Corporation, an aerospace and technology management consulting firm that tracks the satellite communications market. “As the U.S. military moves forward to WIN-T and communications on-the-move, we expect to see DataPath continue to make strong contributions to the innovation and execution that will be required for the success of these initiatives”

The DataPath 3000 is a compact trailer-based satellite earth terminal that enables secure, robust voice, video and data communications where no infrastructure exists. It delivers a tactical, rugged communications gateway to battalions for communications on-the-quick-halt (COTQH).  DataPath has deployed 140 DataPath 3000s to Iraq since 2004.

About DataPath, Inc.
DataPath is a global telecommunications systems integrator specializing in satellite earth terminals and network solutions. DataPath’s rapid deployment voice, video and Internet communications solutions deliver mission-critical connectivity in extreme environments. Founded in 1996, DataPath serves government and commercial customers throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Privately held, DataPath is headquartered in Duluth, Ga., and maintains offices in Fort Monmouth, N.J., Tampa, Fla., the Philippines and Europe. For more information, visit http://www.datapath.com .

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