Army awards contract for next phase of WIN-T
Award represents next step for the WIN-T program, an important step for the Army transformation to an advanced, mobile, modular force.
The Army has awarded a $164 million contract to General Dynamics Corp.’s C4 Systems division for continuing development of the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T), the Defense Department announced April 5.
The second increment contract, which was awarded March 24, provides for work on “low-rate production, urgent first order, for the procurement of equipment for three brigade combat teams, one division headquarters, four regional hub nodes, and one base equipment complement to support the initial operational test and evaluation,” DOD officials said.
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WIN-T ushers in new dawn for battlefield communications
The WIN-T program represents an important step for the Army’s move toward a modular force equipped with advanced battlefield communications. A key element in network-centric warfare, WIN-T is designed to bring high-bandwidth, mobile, two-way satellite communications and ad hoc mesh radio connectivity to soldiers and commanders on the ground.
The second increment provided for in the contract introduces mobility to technology initially developed on stationary platforms. The program calls for another two increments, which are planned to have satellite connection capabilities and will link together portions of WIN-T that were previously separate.
Work on the second increment, to be performed in Taunton, Mass., is expected to be completed by June 30, 2010.
In the fiscal 2011 defense budget, the Army requested $191 million for WIN-T development.