SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Juniper Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:JNPR - News) today announced that its IP routing platforms have contributed to the Defense Information Systems Agency's (DISA) completion of the Initial Operational Capacity (IOC) milestone at the first six GIG-BE program sites. Working through prime contractor Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Juniper Networks holds the multi-year contract for all IP routers for the GIG-BE Program. Currently being deployed, the M- and T-series routing platforms are achieving the stringent performance, reliability and security requirements expected, which has contributed to the successful IOC milestone.

"As a worldwide defense initiative, the GIG-BE network is the foundation for the future of the high-speed, high-capacity network capability for the DoD," said Lieutenant General Harry D. Raduege, DISA director. "Reaching the IOC milestone on budget and on schedule demonstrates that our vendors are successfully supporting the DoD's goal of leveraging information technology to more efficiently network our troops with operations."

"We're very pleased with the progress achieved thus far and look forward to supporting the milestones identified by the DoD as the GIG-BE network is fully deployed in the years to come," said Scott Kriens, chairman and CEO of Juniper Networks. "As the sole router vendor for the GIG-BE Service Delivery Nodes, we're proud to participate in the deployment and execution of this project and view it as a commitment to the war fighters and people of this country."

The GIG-BE is a worldwide, ground-based optical network with up to 10-Gbps connections serving Defense Department users at 90 sites around the globe. The GIG-BE program seamlessly integrates the capabilities of high performance routers with the advanced optical core to provide a feature-rich IP service for the DoD. This secure and reliable enterprise IP infrastructure will enable the DoD to transform the modern battlefield into a huge information grid, enabling instantaneous communication for rapid response to changing combat conditions.

"Since GIG-BE is a DISA program, obviously cyber security is an integral part of the network design," said Paul Kurtz, executive director of the Cyber Security Industry Alliance. "This is an excellent illustration of government leadership by example, constructing a secure, high-capacity, next-generation network. In fact, the GIG-BE program could be seen as an instructive example of some of the network security enhancements private corporations should be implementing today."

Juniper Networks Inc.