Army to begin Increment 3 of WIN-T program

Harris Corp will continue developing wireless networking technology for the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) program via a contract update through Lockheed Martin.

Development will be for Increment 3 of the WIN-T program, which significantly extends the capabilities of the current Increment 2 Line-Of-Sight (LOS) wireless networking technology. Harris is responsible for the LOS radio system components for Increment 3. The follow-on production program is expected to include hundreds of systems per year between 2012 and 2021.

Under the continuing Increment 3 contract, Harris will complete development, test and qualification of the Highband Digital Transceiver modem hardware and multiple variants of the Highband RF Unit antenna. The new system delivers twice the throughput and provides greater range performance compared to Increment 2 due to more advanced processing capabilities and enhanced antenna technology, said Wes Covell, president of Defense Programs for Harris Government Communications Systems.

Increment 3 of the Highband Networking Waveform (HNW) will take greater advantage of the product, which provides high bandwidth, long range line-of-site connectivity between users of widely dispersed Local Area Networks (LAN).

The self-forming, self-healing network uses an IP-based wideband wireless network protocol via Directive Network Technology (DNT). DNT uses directive beam antennas to extend range and improve throughput. Directive antennas also provide inherent low probability of intercept and low probability of detection capability. The technology does not require a fixed-network infrastructure, operator intervention or a central node to control it.

Highband Networking Radio (HNR) has been implemented on a variety of terrestrial mobile and fixed-wing, rotary-wing and airship platforms, including piloted aircraft and Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Applications of the HNW and the HNR extend to a variety of scenarios, including terrestrial tactical communications augmented by air-to-ground and air-to-air nodes, as well as air-and-missile defense missions. These technologies also can be used to extend the battlespace network into the maritime force contingent, connecting expeditionary forces, near-shore support and blue-water platforms. WIN-T Increment 3 will deliver significantly more powerful networking to the warfighter when it begins deployment, currently planned for 2013.

Extension of the contract is due to Harris successfully completing testing and evaluation milestones for the program, the Development Test (DT) and Engineering Field Test (EFT) at Fort Huachuca. These tests were in preparation for an Increment 2 Limited User Test event which was recently executed at Fort Stewart and Fort Lewis.

Harris is a member of the WIN-T team led by General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin. An order for Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) using the HNR is projected to be placed by WIN-T later this year. Co-developed by Harris and BAE Systems, the HNR hosts the Harris-developed HNR. An advanced version of HNW will run on Increment 3 hardware platforms.

Harris’ total award value for the project will be more than $130 million from 2007 to 2012. The company has been on the team since 2002.