Soldier's Network Update: Initial Testing Demonstrates General Dynamics-built WIN-T Increment 2 is Easier to Use

TAUNTON, Mass., March 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics C4 Systems-built Warfighter Information Network – Tactical (WIN-T) Increment 2 completed a developmental test at the Aberdeen Test Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. The test, held in February, evaluated the effectiveness of recent system improvements to reduce complexity and improve the reliability of the U.S. Army's WIN-T Increment 2 system. These improvements were based on feedback from deployed soldiers using the system in Afghanistan and recommendations from recent Network Integration Evaluations. WIN-T Increment 2 enables soldiers operating in remote and challenging terrain to maintain voice, video, data communications and mission command while on the move. 

Chris Marzilli, president of General Dynamics C4 Systems, said, "We are working side-by-side with the Army to make significant strides in streamlining and simplifying network operations that translates directly to improved system reliability so that every soldier can focus on the mission at hand."

The 27-day developmental test used 16 WIN-T Increment 2 mobile network nodes including the Soldier Network Extension (SNE) and Point of Presence (PoP) vehicles. Soldiers had hands-on experience with improvements, including:

• A reduction in system start-up time: With little more than flipping a power switch to 'ON,' a soldier's log in credentials brings the system online in less than five minutes, where previously it required multiple steps, log-ins and about 12 minutes to complete.
• Connecting to the radio gateway in seconds: During the test, soldiers connected to a gateway by selecting an icon representing a pre-configured destination, connecting with the gateway in seconds, where previously it was a time-intensive process involving multiple configuration steps.
• Intuitive software tools with quick and easy troubleshooting: With new, intuitive software tools, soldiers followed a simple troubleshooting process to quickly and efficiently fix any system faults during the test. Previously, troubleshooting was an in-depth, multi-step process developed for trained Signal soldiers.

The next development test for WIN-T Increment 2 is scheduled for June 2014 and a follow-on operational test at Network Integration Evaluation 15.2 in October and November 2014.

Production of the WIN-T system and the Soldier's Network takes place primarily at General Dynamics C4 Systems' facility in Taunton, Mass., and supports hundreds of jobs at General Dynamics and supplier locations nationwide.

More information about WIN-T and the Soldier's Network is available at www.gdc4s.com/WIN-T.

General Dynamics C4 Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). More information about General Dynamics C4 Systems is available at www.gdc4s.com.

Information about General Dynamics is available at www.generaldynamics.com.

Note to editors:  For more information about the recent U.S. Army WIN-T Increment 2 development test, go to http://www.army.mil/article/121535/Army_network_boosts_speed__simplicity_during_test/.

SOURCE General Dynamics C4 Systems