Exhibit 10.31


     TO:  John Peeler, CEO & President             DEPARTMENT:  Human Resources
   FROM:  Bill McDaniel                                DATE:  December 12, 2002
SUBJECT:  Acterna Corporation, Inc. Senior Management
          Retention Agreement
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This memorandum describes a payment (the "Payment") to be made available to you.
The Payment is subject to the terms and conditions of the this memorandum, as
set forth below. You will be eligible to receive a total of $1,000,000, earned
and paid in three installments. The first installment will be paid on or about
December 20, 2002 covering the period of December 20, 2002 -March 31, 2003; the
remaining installments will be earned on April 1, 2003 and October 1, 2003,
respectively, and paid on the next following regular payroll date (each, a
"Payment Date") covering the period of April 1, 2003 - October 1, 2003. The
first and second installments will be equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the
total Payment, the final installment will be the remaining fifty percent (50%)
of the Payment. In order to receive each installment, you must sign this
memorandum, adhere to its terms, and you must be employed with the Company on
the applicable Payment Date. You earn each installment and the right to receive
the applicable portion of the Payment only by remaining employed through the
applicable Payment Date, and the continued employment period, as set forth
below.

By signing this memorandum and accepting each installment of the Payment you
agree to repay 100% of each installment of the Payment in the event you
voluntarily terminate your employment prior to the next following Payment Date.
Any repayment must be made within thirty (30) days following written demand by
the Company. By accepting the Payment, you also authorize the Company to deduct
from any other amounts owed to you by the Company, such amounts as may be
necessary to satisfy your obligation to make repayment hereunder and all
required withholdings.

The required period of employment, and any Company right to repayment of the
Payment hereunder, shall lapse in the event that the Company shall experience a
change of control resulting in the sale of all or substantially all of the
assets or stock of the Company; provided, however, if your employment with the
Company is subject to an agreement or letter setting forth a definition of
change of control, such definition shall apply for determining whether a change
of control has occurred for this purpose.

By signing this memorandum and accepting each installment of the Payment you
understand and agree that your receipt of the Payment is confidential. Any
disclosure of the terms or conditions of this memorandum will result in
corrective action, including the forfeiture of any installment of the Payment
previously received and any right to future installments; provided, however, you
are permitted to discuss the terms of this memorandum and the Payment with your
personal financial advisors, legal counsel and your spouse. Any forfeited
installment of the Payment must be repaid to the Company within thirty (30) days
of the Company's written demand for such payment.

This memorandum becomes effective eight (8) days after you sign it (the
"Effective Date"), unless you revoke your acceptance prior to such date, by
providing written notice to the Company.

In consideration of the Payment, you agree to release and forever discharge the
Company, its affiliates, and its officers, directors, investors, stockholders,
partners, employees, representatives and attorneys, successors, subsidiaries,
related corporations, and any person or entity acting for or on behalf of the

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Company (the "Releasees") from liability for any claims, damages, or causes of
action, both in law and in equity, which you or your personal representative,
heirs, or assigns now has or may have, whether known or unknown, suspected or
unsuspected, and whether asserted or not (hereinafter "Claims"), against the
Releasees that may exist under any laws prohibiting discrimination, including,
but not limited to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42
U.S.C. ss. 2000 et seq., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as
amended, 29 U.S.C. ss. 621 et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,
42 U.S.C. ss. 12101 et seq., or any other law relating to employment or
discrimination in employment, or otherwise; provided, however, no Claims are
released relating to the terms of this memorandum. This general release does not
include Claims which may arise based on acts or omissions occurring after the
Effective Date.

The Payment is not intended or to be construed as being an addition to base
salary or in calculations of benefits or salary increases. This memorandum does
not provide you with any rights to continued employment.

The parties acknowledge that this memorandum and the agreements of the parties
included herein shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of Maryland, without regard to conflict of law principals. Any
litigation that may be brought by either party involving the enforcement of this
memorandum or the rights, duties, or obligations contained herein, shall be
brought exclusively in the State or federal courts sitting in Maryland.

The parties acknowledge their agreement and acceptance of the terms of this
memorandum by signing below.

ACTERNA CORPORATION, INC.                         EMPLOYEE NAME


By: /s/ William M. McDaniel                        /s/ John Peeler
   --------------------------------               ------------------------------
   William M. McDaniel                            December 13, 2002
   Vice President, Human Resources
   December 12, 2002