WIN-T passes first test

Army Logistician,  May-June, 2006  

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

A key component of the Army's efforts to develop a network-centric, knowledge-based warfare capability, the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T), recently completed its first test successfully at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

WIN-T is designed to allow commanders and Soldiers to communicate with each other from remote locations dispersed across the battlefield. In essence, it will create a mobile network environment that allows even small groups of Soldiers to send and receive information while on the move. It will correct communications problems experienced during Operation Iraqi Freedom in operating on the move and communicating over great distances (beyond the line of sight of the existing Mobile Subscriber Equipment). WIN-T, will provide seamless and secure voice, video, imagery, and data communications that will enable decisive combat actions. It will connect Future Combat Systems (FCS) vehicles beyond the line of sight and link those vehicles to distant units and command and control centers. WIN--T also will interface with the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS), which will operate in individual ground vehicles.

WIN-T is a component of LandWarNet, which is the Army's portion of the Department of Defense's Global Information Grid (GIG) and the Army's counterpart to the Air Force's ConstellationNet and the Navy's FORCENet. GIG is DOD's foundation initiative to create a seamless, secure, and interconnected information environment. LandWarNet will provide networks to the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve forces and the sustaining base.

While the first test of WIN-T took place on the ground at Fort Huachuca, it also included the use of beyond-line-of-sight network connections to Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.

The estimated cost of the completed and fielded WIN-T is $10 billion, with initial fielding planned for 2008.

COPYRIGHT 2006 ALMC
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning