Mil-Tech

The 1,000th Combat Service Support

The 1,000th Combat Service Support Very Small Aperture Terminal rolled off the assembly line at the plant of L-3 Global Communications Solutions, Inc. in Victor, N.Y. Jan. 9. The program to “Connect Army Logisticians” with their own managed by the Product Manager, Defense Wide Transmission Systems – part of the Army’s Program Executive Office, Enterprise Information Systems’ Project Manager, Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems – started in May 2004.

More than 90 Army leaders and their industry partners met at a PM DWTS facility here on Jan. 31, 2008 to mark the milestone. Among the Army leaders were Thomas Edwards, assistant deputy chief of staff, Army G-4; Gary Winkler, program executive officer, Enterprise Information Systems; Col. Gale Harrington, PM DCATS; Lt. Col. Clyde Richards, PM DWTS; and Carl Beem, CSS VSAT combat develop, Combined Arms Support Command. The industry partners included Frank York, GCS president; Michael Wheeler, Segovia president; John Ratigan, I-Direct president, and Ken Karhuse, Eyak Technologies program manager.

Borrowing an analogy he heard from former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker, Edwards compared the early process of trying to connect Army logisticians to “slogging through a swamp,” and said that for the G-4, the CSS VSAT solution was like “jumping out of a swamp and onto a rocket ship.”

Richards said that the original requirement from the G-4 was for 775 CSS VSATs, that there were 1,000 more “in the pipeline” and that the figure could ultimately grow to 3,000 CSS VSATs before they were done.

Edwards said it could be even more.

“I saw a chart the other day with the figure of 3,145 VSATs,” said Edwards. “And that figure could grow. Keep making it better and cheaper and the whole Army will come.”

Satellite service lets Taylor soldier participate in birth

Despite not making it back to the states for the birth of his first child, Taylor soldier Nicholas Jevahirian did everything but cut the cord during his wife’s labor and delivery Monday – just by satellite. The 20-year-old Marine stationed in Al Asad, Iraq, coached his wife, Chelsey, 19, for the birth of Brayden Allen at 5:20 p.m. Monday with the help of the Freedom Calls Foundation.

The New Jersey-based nonprofit provides phones, satellite service, computers, monitors and other equipment necessary for soldiers in the Middle East to participate in births, birthdays, weddings and other life events going on while they’re deployed.

Jevahirian appeared on a video monitor next to his wife’s bedside at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn starting at noon Monday. His father, Richard, also of Taylor, cut the baby’s umbilical cord, hospital spokeswoman Paula Rivera-Kerr said.

Those requesting the foundation’s help, which is free for those stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, or who want to donate to the group can call 973-290-7886.

Army’s WIN-T Satellite Terminals

General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies recently received a $119 million modification to an existing delivery order to provide satellite communications earth terminals and support services for Increment One of the U.S. Army’s Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) program. Under the contract, General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies will provide 293 satellite transportable terminals (STT), 6 unit hub SATCOM trucks (UHST) and 534 Ka-band upgrade kits and spares.

As the Army’s tactical portion of the USA’s Global Information Grid (GIG) network, WIN-T is designed to help deployed forces tap into that grid and its databases, collectors, and connections to national agencies. At present, this requires multiple private networks, or outright forward deployment of representatives from the agencies in question.

Win-T Increment One was formerly known as the Joint Network Node. It provides Internet capability to a small platoon on the ground, which can now communicate with the rest of the world. The node consists of vehicles and shipping containers (the Joint Network Node, the Battalion Command Post Node, the Ku SATCOM trailer and the Hub Node) equipped with systems that provide voice over IP, dynamic IP, videoconferencing and access to the military’s classified and unclassified networks.

Increment One of WIN-T will provide soldiers with these capabilities while stationary; Increment Two, which General Dynamics is also under contract to provide, will enable soldiers to communicate on the move.

70 Mbps of satellite broadband services for Troops in Afghanistan

SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES has announced that IoGlobal has signed a multiyear agreement to create a new DVB IP platform on the NSS-11 satellite to keep NATO troops in Afghanistan connected with friends and family back home. New Asia 9 platform on the China beam of SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES’ NSS-11 satellite provides more than 70 Mbps of satellite-delivered streaming voice, data and video services to soldiers stationed in and around Kabul, Afghanistan.

The solution expands on the growing, long-term relationship between IoGlobal and SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES across three satellites and delivers a broad offering of mission-critical satellite-based services ranging from broadband to video streaming into the South Asian region.

“This latest agreement between IoGlobal and SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES reinforces our service commitment to the Middle East and regions around the world, as the two companies deliver multiple SCPC, VSAT and DVB service platforms over our NSS-703, NSS-6, and NSS-11 spacecraft,” said Deepak Mathur, Vice President of South Asia and the Middle East for SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES.

Army boosts satellite communications in Afghanistan and Iraq

The Army is providing mobile satellite communication systems featuring WANscaler accelerator technology from Citrix Systems to soldiers in the field to optimize communications between combat teams in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army project manager for the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical Commercial Satellite Terminal Program is funding the system through the Army’s $5 billion World-Wide Satellite Systems contract vehicle.

The order includes options for approximately 1,500 deployable satellite communication terminals and supporting equipment in various sizes and configurations over the next few years, along with as many as 30 field support personnel.

The terminals support Ku-, Ka- and X-band frequencies, with L-band service available. WANScaler accelerates performance by an average of five to 30 times and automatically optimizes traffic loads. It supports Space Communication Protocol Standards and improves delivery of LandWarNet to soldiers. The system reduces the need to build more satellites to improve frontline communications as well as provide faster communication for combat teams.

According to Tom Simmons, area vice president for government systems for Citrix, the addition of Citrix WANScaler helps the army better utilise its tactical terrestrial and wireless IP networks by automatically optimizing traffic loads.

”With the help of Citrix and TCS, the Army can make better use of existing infrastructure, eliminating the need to build more satellites to improve front line communications – and that saves billions of taxpayer dollars,” said Simmons.

”More importantly, these improvements will result in faster communication for combat teams, meaning our troops on the ground will have better access to the information they need for mission success.”

Michael Bristol, senior vice president of government solutions for TCS, added, ”Citrix WANScaler is an integral part of our SNAP system, as its performance is closely tied to the seamless network optimization that WANScaler provides. This synergistic association is also reflected in our overall relationship with Citrix, which has been customer-focused and responsive.”

Satellite Broadband Internet in Iraq and Afghanistan for U.S. Troops

WARSAW, Poland, Jan. 22 /Reuters/ — TS2 Satellite Technologies‘ network in Iraq and Afghanistan has over 15,000 military users of local broadband satellite connections.

“We were among the first telecommunications operators in the satellite technology in the territory of Iraq and Afghanistan, and as such we have enjoyed a successful cooperation with the U.S. Army for several years now,” says Marcin Frackiewicz, CEO of the TS2 Satellite Technologies.

TS2 Satellite Technologies offers two-way high-speed Internet access with no phone lines, no cable and no dial-up modem. It’s always on, available virtually anywhere, and affordable. The laptop or Wi-Fi network can receive Internet signal through a special satellite VSAT modem, which was usually set up in a building or tent when deployed.

The one VSAT access point provides the following services for soldiers:

– Broadband access to the Internet (WWW, E-mail, FTP etc.)
– Data transfer to many other users simultaneously
– Telephone connections including VoIP, IP phone
– Video-conference connections

Advantages of the system:

– Short set-up time
– Fast and easy upgrades
– Possibility of guaranteed CIR
– Transmission in almost all weather conditions

The communication among the bases is possible thanks to the simultaneous lease of bands on the Intelsat 10-02, Intelsat 901 and Eutelsat W6 satellites whose coverage enables configuration of connections between any place in Europe, Middle East and Southwest Asia.

TS2′s satellite military networks are located in Al Taqaddum Air Base, Bahgram AF, Balad Base, Baquba Airfield, Brassfield-Mora, Cob Adder, Cob Speicher, Camp Al Asad Airbase, Camp Bucca Basra City, Camp Buehring, Camp Charlie Basra, Camp Eggers, Camp Fallujah, Camp Grizzly, Camp Korean Village, Camp Liberty, Camp Mejid, Camp Ramadi, Camp Slayer, Camp Stryker, Camp Taji, Camp Victory, Fob Bagram, Fob Brassfield Mora, Fob Delta Al Kut, Fob Diamondback, Fob Falcon, Fob Garryowen, Fob Gardez, Fob Ghazni, Fob Kalagush, Fob Kandahar, Fob Lagman, Fob Mchenry, Fob Marez, Fob Normandy, Fob Rustamiyah, Fob Summerall, Fob Sykes, Fob Salerno, Fob Torkham, Fob Warhorse, Fob Warrior, Herat RTC, Jallahabad Air Base, Kabul Airport, Kabul Camp Eggers, Kandahar Air Base, Lsa Anaconda Balad, Q-West Base Complex and Tallil Ab Lsa Adder.

Especially for U.S. Military Personnel, Contracting Officers and DoD Contractors, TS2 delivers satellite equipment to most of all military addresses in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East, within maximum of 7 days.

Supported military locations in Iraq -
http://www.ts2.pl/en/Internet-in-Iraq-for-US-Army-Soldiers

Supported military locations in Afghanistan -
http://www.ts2.pl/en/Internet-in-Afghanistan-for-US-Army-Soldiers

Contact:

Piotr Kubiak and Michal Skrok
TS2 Satellite Technologies
phone +48 22 630 70 70
fax +48 22 630 70 71
http://www.ts2.pl

Internet Service Provider for US Army in Afghanistan and Iraq

Since the military provides just 6 to 12 computers for every 1,000 or so troops, time limits of 10 to 15 minutes per day are often enforced at Morale Welfare Recreation Cafés (the complicated name for military internet cafés). Anyone who sorts through spam, reads forwarded articles and jokes, then tries to respond to “real” email knows 15 minutes isn’t enough. Josh Hines, a soldier from Conway who recently returned from Iraq , confirmed that the Army lacks internet services and lamented the scarcity of entertainment options.

It should come as no surprise, then, that some enterprising military personnel have engineered an alternative. TS2, the common term for troop-owned ISPs, have sprung to life on almost every base around Iraq. A typical TS2 network is built and maintained by one or two soldiers and can provide nearly 24-hour internet access (until the region is stabilized and electrical lines can be installed, generators must occasionally be powered down for maintenance). Most TS2 networks are small, serving between 20 and 30 troops, but ISPs serving as many as 300 are known to exist. In a country wracked by war, where even the capital city receives only intermittent electricity, where people’s lives are in constant peril, and where even basic necessities are scarce, this is no small victory.

A TS2′s key elements are satellite service from an international provider, a satellite dish to send and receive data, and a central location inside a base where network hardware is safe from attack. Like an internet-age Frankenstein, a TS2′s hardware must be purchased from an international source, shipped in, then cobbled together by military personnel, many of whom have little previous experience running a network.

Source: TS2 Satellite Technologies

Barrett REC7 – M468 – Future Assault Rifle

Apparently, the M4 Carbine or the M16 aren’t good enough for the grunts on the field.  This isn’t really a new revelation either.  Let’s face it, since day 1 of the adoption of the M16 during Vietnam, the M16 hasn’t exactly been everyone’s favorite assualt rifle.  In fact, it has been regarded by some as a killer of US troops, leaving them stuck in firefights without effective stopping power and jammed rounds.  Never fear though young GIs and military buffs, the civilian weapons manufacturing sector is listening.  Barrett Firearm’s answer?  Let’s give them what they want.

Greater range, 50% increased stopping power, ability to fit into the current modular makeup of existing M16 component parts.  Basically, Barrett knows how to get an invention considered by a buyer.  Hearing the voice of the GI, military procurement officers sit around and think, “What can I do about this problem,  and is it going to cost me an arm and a leg?”  These posed questions are answered in the design of the Barrett REC7 assault rifle.  This rifle hasn’t reached operational status yet, but Barrett firearms took into consideration some key aspects of rifle design and selling points with the development of this rifle (conveniently mentioned in the opening sentence of this paragraph).  All key aspects overlooked by other ambitious projects with the aim to replace the M16.  Rifles such as the OICW and the Heckler and Koch XM-8 are examples of attempts to completely redesign the rifle, which also come packaged with enormous costs and long-run expenses for spare parts.

Barrett said, “Hey, I can make a rifle that is built on existing parts already used in the M4 and M16, and deliver the results the military wants.”  Now, we can only wait and see if this bad boy will ultimately be chosen as the next generation rifle for the armed forces, but until then, we can watch Mack talk about the Barrett REC7 assault rifle and demonstrate it’s superb capabilities.  Enjoy.

3e Technologies International – Military Wi-Fi and Wireless Mesh Voice, Video and Data Communication Systems

3e Technologies International (3eTI) is a leading provider of wireless networking solutions that are customized to fit the security challenges and voice, video and data communication requirements of armies around the world. The company designs and manufactures secure Wi-Fi and broadband products – including mesh network, access point, bridge and client infrastructure products – as well as security software.

Many 3eTI products meet the stringent requirements of the US Department of Defense, featuring FIPS 140-2, FIPS 802.11 and Common Criteria Validation™. They are suitable for government, military and homeland security applications for any army requiring secure communications via a stationary or portable wireless network.

The company has over ten years’ experience developing secure, reliable wireless solutions for military and government organizations around the world.

WIRELESS LAN COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
Governments and militaries are continually seeking ways to better secure their physical assets and personnel and confidential information. To aid this pursuit, 3eTI specializes in government security-level wireless broadband solutions.

3eTI’s Wireless LAN (WLAN) products and solutions meet rigorous US government security standards, including FIPS 140-2 and FIPS 802.11.

3eTI has also achieved many firsts in wireless technology, including becoming the first validated FIPS 140-2 layer two access point, and the first wireless supplier to receive National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) evaluation assurance level two common criteria validation for its WLAN access point and client software.

APPLICATIONS FOR WIRELESS LAN COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
3eTI WLAN products are designed to provide force and critical infrastructure protection / management, as well as to improve the efficiency of base operations. Some examples of possible applications for government WLAN products are:

Securing perimeters and information technology at military installations
Wireless video surveillance to detect security risks domestically and abroad
Wireless CBRNE sensoring / monitoring and asset tracking using RFID
For example, 3eTI helped streamline maintenance operations of the US Army Black Hawk helicopter program by installing FIPS 140-2 secure wireless communication between the flight line and the hangar. The 3eTI WLAN solutions rapidly transmitted equipment data to maintenance crews, and saved valuable pilot time by cutting the time spent preparing debriefing reports.

8100.2 CERTIFIED SECURE MILITARY WIRELESS NETWORKS
The US Department of Defense (DoD) directive number 8100.2 was issued on the 14th of April 2004, and went into effect immediately. The directive covers the use of commercial wireless devices, services, and technologies in the DoD Global Information Grid (GIG).

The directive spells out policies for deploying secure military wireless networks, and requires monitoring of those wireless networks for compliance. Military users of 3eTI’s certified wireless networks can be assured that strong authentication, non-repudiation, and personal-identification security standards are inherent to their applications.

CUSTOM MILITARY WIRELESS NETWORKS
In addition to tailoring off-the-shelf solutions, 3eTI also develops custom secure military wireless network solutions to meet the specific wireless security needs of army technology customers.

If a troop requires mobile remote networking to enable soldiers and personnel to communicate while in vehicles or in the field, or an army company needs undercover surveillance equipment to monitor potentially hostile surroundings, 3eTI military wireless networks and custom solutions have the ability to overcome even the toughest military communication and / or security challenge.

3eTI’s military wireless networks are designed to protect and secure data, assets, vital infrastructure and personnel in the most cost-effective manner possible. 3eTI integrated military wireless networks pass essential information to officers, soldiers and other army personnel so they may securely and effectively utilize communications to fulfill their duties.

3eTI’s proven military wireless networks and solutions uphold even the highest security standards.

The Cornershot Rifle – A choice weapon for future urban combat

Innovative weapons designs are typically developed to serve problem areas highlighted during the heat of battle. The Israeli military, through their extensive experience with urban combat and counter terrorism operations, developed an idea to provide the war fighter with an exceptional first-strike capability. Which brings us to a recently revealed design from the Israeli firm whose corporation is the rifles namesake, The Cornershot. With a camera mounted on the nose of a swiveling barrel of an assault pistol, a soldier wielding this rifle can get a first look into a dangerous situation and strike first. Additional models can be outfitted with an automatic grenade launcher to shoot around corners and clear rooms. Check out the video that displays the training and capabilities of squads wielding the Cornershot.