Army awards $36M deal for tactical communications support

A soldier sets up WIN-T Increment 1 equipment.

The Army has awarded General Dynamics C4 Systems a $36 million contract to produce and repair all products associated with the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) Increment 1.

The Army’s WIN-T communications system provides voice, data and video to troops in the field. Increment 1, formerly known as the “Joint Network Node Network,” supplies those communications to the battalion level and above. It is similar to a commercial or personal Internet connection providing voice and video communications and enabling soldiers to communicate with each other without having to establish a complicated infrastructure. Additionally, it consists of three types of transportable network nodes for secure voice, video and data exchange as well as a Satellite Transportable Terminal for mobile satellite system establishment.

General Dynamics was the prime contractor for Increment 1, which will continue to be used at the battalion level. WIN-T Increment 2, which General Dynamics also has worked on, began fielding in 2012 and takes mobile communications down to the company level. It allows for vehicle-mounted communications for “the ability to maneuver on the battlefield and maintain connectivity to the network to ensure situational awareness and maintain command and control of forces,” according to the Army.   

General Dynamics was one of three companies to bid for work on the Army’s Increment 1 repair contract.