Wireless for Warfighter (W4W)

A new process designed to rapidly establish computer networks when joint warfighters move in to areas where there is no established communications network was developed by the U.S. Joint Forces Command. Known as Wireless for the Warfighter (W4W), the service provides an advanced wireless capability for faster setup, communication and dissemination of critical data. It is designed to cover an area of 5-10 miles with secure unclassified wireless and secure classified local wireless access. An important advantage of the new wireless service is the mobility it provides the users, an aspect which proved to reduce logistical clutter in recent exercises. The initial system will consist of local wireless connectivity but an enhanced system, expected by May-June 2007 will improve coverage, by employing a metropolitan area network (MAN) wireless capability.