General Dynamics C4 Systems Demos 4G LTE Broadband Connectivity With U.S. Army Networks

General Dynamics C4 Systems recently demonstrated how the company's fourth-generation (4G) long-term evolution (LTE) wireless broadband network could expand the capability of U.S. Army tactical networks like the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T).

Soldiers used the secure 4G LTE network to take pictures and gather information using their smartphones, and then transmitting the information back to their leaders who were also tracking the position and location of team members on vehicle-mounted displays.

General Dynamics' broadband network also sent and received intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information from multiple sensors around the demonstration area to network-equipped vehicles, simulated operations and command centers.

"Among other advantages, the General Dynamics' secure wireless broadband network can give soldiers greater access to mission intelligence using their smartphone or tablet computer, which is a significant capability leap for soldiers," said Chris Marzilli, president of General Dynamics C4 Systems. "Our 4G LTE technology is mature and already used successfully in public safety networks in Coloradoand New Mexico and will, if needed, provide the vital connectivity among U.S. Army personnel and public safety professionals responding to a disaster or other event where interoperability among organizations is critical."

The demonstration took place in August and was coordinated by the U.S. Army's Communications-electronics Center of the Research, Development and Engineering Command (CERDEC) at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

General Dynamics' secure 4G LTE broadband network includes the eNodeBlue that performs like an LTE base station and the Evolved Packet Core, which forms the network's architecture and network radio nodes that are placed in vehicles, on structures and any location where the network needs to be, delivering secure, high-speed broadband connectivity.

A part of General Dynamics' Soldier's Network, WIN-T, the AN/PRC-155 Manpack and AN/PRC-154A Rifleman tactical networking radios work together with the company's cyber-defense solutions and mission command software to connect soldiers at all echelons to the Army's secure backbone communications network.