OREANDA-NEWS. General Dynamics C4 Systems has received a contract from the U.S. Army to proceed with engineering and development work for the Warfighter Information Network–Tactical (WIN-T) Increment 3, the research and development increment for the WIN-T tactical networking program. The first task order, valued at USD 96 million, includes technology upgrades for WIN-T Increment 2 that will deliver a significant leap forward in network capacity, system reliability, robustness and ease of use. The full potential value of the contract is USD 475 million with all options exercised.

“WIN-T Increment 3 ensures that as communications and networking technology advance, the WIN-T systems stay current – directly benefiting soldiers operating in harm’s way – while making the Army’s investments in Increment 2 even more cost-effective,” said Chris Marzilli, president of General Dynamics C4 Systems. “Increment 3 will also deliver long-term cost savings by reducing the use of overburdened and expensive satellites, while improving the system’s ease-of-use.”

The foundation of the Soldier’s Network and a top priority of the Army’s modernization plan, WIN-T Increment 2 provides commanders with mission command on the move and is currently deployed with the 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan. A technology advancement planned under the new Increment 3 contract and planned for integration into Increment 2, will be an additional line-of-sight communications layer. The additional layer thickens the WIN-T network using an unmanned aerial vehicle or other airborne platform to increase communications flexibility and capacity that are vital to highly dispersed forces operating in isolated areas.

The backbone of the Soldiers’ Network, WIN-T Increment 2 and Increment 3 comprise the centerpiece of Army’s network modernization strategy, which includes the AN/PRC-154A Rifleman and AN/PRC-155 two-channel Manpack tactical radios, Nett Warrior and mission command on-the-move capabilities such as the Command Post of the Future (CPOF).

Production of the WIN-T system takes place primarily at General Dynamics C4 Systems’ facility in Taunton and supports thousands of related jobs at General Dynamics’ locations nationwide including 500 suppliers that also support the Soldier’s Network.