Additional equipment is being produced for the U.S. Army’s on-the-move, high-capacity communications network that brings high-bandwidth, mobile, two-way satellite communications and ad hoc mesh radio connectivity to all Army echelons down to the company level.
General Dynamics C4 Systems, the prime contractor for the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T), awarded Lockheed Martin a $105 million order to produce additional communications equipment for WIN-T, Increment 2.
WIN-T Increment 2 delivers on-the-move broadband networking capability using satellite and radio links, focusing on mobile formations to allow nodes to operate on-the-move from Division and Brigade down to Company levels.
“This increment of WIN-T allows commanders to stay connected from company through division echelons, which is greatly needed in today’s dynamic battlefield environment, said Jim Quinn, vice president of C4ISR Systems with Lockheed Martin’s IS and GS-Defense.
Under this contract, Lockheed Martin will deliver transmission subsystem radios, modems, antennas and mast systems which will be integrated into a variety of combat vehicle platforms.
The transmission subsystem provides the foundation for the WIN-T network’s data transfer capability over a highly dispersed, non-contiguous area.
Integrating SATCOM, line-of-sight and terrestrial waveforms, this “self healing” network provides high-bandwidth, on-the-move connectivity which dynamically switches between terrestrial and satellite waveforms, depending on the terrain.
For example, if a commander is moving, and the terrestrial link quality begins to deteriorate, the system automatically connects to SATCOM. As a result, brigade combat teams maneuvering across wide geographic areas can be linked with commanders and the Global Information Grid through an on-the-move broadband networking capability.
The next iteration, WIN-T Increment 3, introduces an airborne network node to the WIN-T system as well as increased network reliability and capacity; smaller and more tightly integrated communications and networking gear for users. General Dynamics is teamed with Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Harris Corporation and L-3 Communications on the WIN-T team.
