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.
Elbit Systems Introduces a New Tactical UAS: the Hermes 650 Spark
Elbit Systems has rolled out the Hermes 650 Spark, the latest addition to its Hermes family of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). Spark is designed to be the contemporary successor to the long-serving Hermes 450, aiming to modernize UAS fleets that currently consist of mixed 450/900 models or are exclusively equipped with the 450 variants.