By Raytheon on Monday, June 17th, 2013
Raytheon Demos Radio-based Network in Afghanistan
Raytheon Company’s jam-resistant, battlefield radio recently transmitted data securely over the air to greater than 30 Stryker combat vehicles, proving that it may well meet the U.S. Army’s need for a tactical wireless Internet via a vehicle-mounted mobile radio system.
The EXF1915, an upgraded version of Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS) radios, completed several months of continual, sustained secure data transmissions for the combat vehicles of the 4th Brigade 2nd Infantry Division Stryker Brigade Combat Team, or 4/2 SBCT. Soldiers were ready to send and receive e-mail and chat messages and access the brigade’s intranet-like Web portal, marking the 1st time 4/2 SBCT was ready to tap right into a secure wireless network.
EPLRS joined combat operations in Afghanistan following tests at Fort Irwin, Calif.
“The EPLRS Enhanced Services extended secure voice, data, and e-mail services to the Stryker vehicles of platoon through brigade-level leaders during combat operations forward of tactical bases,” said Col. Michael Getchell, commander of four/2 SBCT. “Prior to the installation of the EPLRS ES network, this level of higher TI (Tactical Internet) communications were limited to fixed tactical operations centers using the pre-existing infrastructure on FOBs (Forward Operating Bases) and COPs (Combat Outposts) within the Panjwa’I District of Kandahar, Afghanistan.”
Over 28,000 EPLRS radios was purchased to offer “on the move” networking capabilities. These radios, already deployed in significant numbers aboard U.S. Army vehicles, might be upgraded at a fragment of the price of a brand new radio system to support the lower-tier network requirements.
When connected to the Army’s middle- and upper-tier networks, the EXF1915, often known as the RT-1915, provides high-speed IP network services for a whole brigade of Stryker and other combat vehicles. These capabilities provide more choices and bigger purchasing flexibility because the service seeks a lower-tier networking radio system.
“EPLRS has served the military well over time, and now it may be converted to the brand new EXF1915 to assist the service quickly and inexpensively network a fleet of combat vehicles,” said Scott Whatmough, vp of Integrated Communication Systems for Raytheon’s Space and Airborne Systems business. “We’ve continually improved our radio technology and matured it to the purpose where we will offer a cheaper price alternative for the thousands of already-equipped Army vehicles.”
Building upon the EXF1915 serving the lower tier, the MR-150, using the upper-bandwidth Next Generation Mobile Ad Hoc Network Waveform (NMW), may provide the military with additional flexibility for its mid-tier networking requirements. The NMW network has undergone stringent testing at two Network Integration Evaluation exercises, was deployed in theater, and has proven to be the top-performing mid-tier technology.
The combination of the EXF-1915 and the MR-150 fills the information networking void with a low-cost, ready today, proven solution.
Raytheon Company, with 2012 sales of $24 billion and 68,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader that specialize in defense, security and civil markets inside the world. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass.
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