WASHINGTON-General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin have been awarded a U.S. Army contract worth up to $10 billion to develop a secure, high-speed wireless integrated communications network that delivers real-time voice, data and video to soldiers.
In a joint press release today, the two defense contractors said the acquisition strategy for the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical was revised to allow them to team and offer a “best of breed” approach. The companies said this tack will enable the Army to better synchronize WIN-T with current and future transformation programs.
General Dynamics will act as the prime contractor, with Lockheed Martin providing complementary technical expertise and capabilities as a major subcontractor responsible for approximately 50 percent of the effort.
“We’re extremely pleased to be supporting the Army on this important program to deliver on-the-move communications capabilities to the warfighter. Together, the General Dynamics-Lockheed Martin team applies the very best of military and commercial communications expertise to the WIN-T system,” said Dave Kelley, Lockheed Martin’s WIN-T program executive. “The combined team will deliver the best available technology directly to the warfighter quickly and cost effectively, helping to ensure that the WIN-T solution meets the Army’s needs for decades to come.”
The transformation from a Cold War defense to one emphasizing mobility, intelligence and information superiority is not unique to the United States. Defense News reported this week that Sweden’s defense officials plan shortly to ask lawmakers to write into the budget proposed expenditures reflecting the move to mobile, net-centric armed forces.
The military trend offers lucrative business opportunities for U.S. and foreign wireless firms.
