The U.S. Department of Defense last week picked Northrop Grumman to build its $51 million IP videoconference network, based on hardware and software from Cisco and Radvision, network services from AT&T and technology from other partners.

The network project was awarded by the Defense Department's Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). Northrop Grumman will install the DISA's Defense Video System Version II (DVS-II) network, which upgrades the current network from digital to IP video and audio conferencing. The DISA provides communications technology for the White House, the secretary of defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

DVS-II will be built on Cisco's IP Video Conferencing (IPVC) 3540 Multipoint Control Unit and MeetingPlace IP voice/video conferencing software. Radvision's iView multimedia conferencing middleware, which integrates applications such as Microsoft Office, is another large part of the infrastructure.

Radvision says the deal will be worth $6 million to $8 million in software and services, and Cisco would not say how much of its IP video hardware, software and services are involved.

DVS-II will provide "a key set of tools to enhance the Department of Defense's network-centric operations" and allow U.S military organizations to communicate better during combat, said Otto Guenther, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Tactical Systems Division.

In addition to the Cisco/Radvision components, Northrop Grumman will use AT&T network services, along with services and support from IT companies FC Business Systems, CritiCom and Netconn Solutions.

While Cisco is helping build the Defense Department's video network, it's also going after video technology in living rooms. The network giant recently announced plans to acquire Scientific-Atlanta in a deal valued at $6.9 billion.