Raytheon Provides First Hybrid Cellular Capability for Soldier Networks

MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) One Force communications solution successfully linked soldiers' smart phones and tablets during the recent U.S. Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE) at Fort Benning, Ga. It was the first time that data, voice and video over the hand-held commercial devices were simultaneously transmitted over both 3G and military tactical radios without any interruptions in service.

Soldiers were able to see everyone's position in the group, talk over the networks, exchange data messages and view live streaming video from an unmanned aircraft system (UAS). They were also able to collaborate on their devices using a feature called "white boarding," which is similar to the tool that diagrams replays on televised football games. Pictures drawn on one smart phone or tablet were immediately communicated to all other devices in the network, even in the dense foliage at Fort Benning.

"AEWE Spiral G was a showcase event for Raytheon's Tactical Communications capability," said Scott Whatmough, vice president for Raytheon Network Centric Systems' Integrated Communications Systems. "We provided an on-the-move, hybrid cellular-military network that allowed soldiers to accomplish their missions in a very tough environment."

"We're honored to be promoted as the network backbone for the Exercise Force, or EXFOR, based on our capability to provide streaming UAS video and a robust, reliable network," he added.

The key enabler for the network was Raytheon's high-speed Mobile Ad-Hoc Interoperable Network GATEway (MAINGATE). With more than eight years of development and testing in many tactical environments, including Afghanistan, MAINGATE served as the tactical bridge among groups, allowing soldiers to communicate, even when separated by trees and other obstacles. MAINGATE uses the Next Generation Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET) Waveform, which has proven to be highly effective and efficient in challenging radio frequency conditions.

OCEUS Networks provided the 3G mobile base stations that were integrated with MAINGATE.  

AEWE is the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command's live, soldier-focused, network-enabled venue for aggressive experimentation of emerging and existing technologies. It provides insights to evaluate the mission effectiveness of technologies and concepts for soldiers and small units. Raytheon's MAINGATE and OCEUS Networks' QuicLINK™ and Xiphos™ solutions are also under test at the Army's Network Integration Evaluation exercise at Fort Bliss, Texas.

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 89 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter at @raytheon.

About OCEUS Networks

OCEUS Networks provides broadband solutions to governments and industry that enable them to deliver high-speed voice, video and data communications. The company delivers open, standards-based mobile and fixed network infrastructure as well as an extensive portfolio of public sector-focused solutions to simplify and expedite the deployment of wired and wireless broadband communications solutions. Privately owned and operated, OCEUS Networks' headquarters are located in Reston, Va., USA. Visit www.oceusnetworks.com to learn more.

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SOURCE Raytheon Company

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