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| Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Mobile Tower System. Photo: Sierra Nevada Corporation Google Plus |
[Avionics Today 1-05-2015] Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has been awarded a $17 million follow-on Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract by the United States Army to manufacture Mobile Tower Systems (MOTS). The contract includes production of five AN/TSQ-135 MOTS, as well as engineering and sustainment services for the mobile air traffic service system. An early development MOTS was deployed with the third Infantry Division in Afghanistan in November 2012 and LRIP MOTS were delivered in 2013.
SNC’s AN/TSQ-135 MOTS is a mobile tactical system designed to rapidly set up and quickly establish air traffic services during the initial phases of deployment. It sustains air traffic services throughout operation and redeployment and includes all necessary secure and non-secure communications radios and support equipment. The equipment is housed in a rugged Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower with organic 36kW power generators and meteorological sensors.
According to SNC, MOTS is capable of being airlifted by C-17 aircraft or CH47 helicopter and supports military ATC operations by networking with other air traffic service and battle command systems. The MOTS complies with FAA and ICAO regulations, and can also support civilian applications, such as disaster relief efforts, forest fire mobile operations and temporary tower operations. This system replaces the army’s aging AN/TSW-7A ATC tower.