*Source: Raytheon Company
(NSI News Source Info) MCKINNEY, Texas - May 29, 2009: The U.S. Army recently selected Raytheon Company's Ground Soldier Ensemble (GSE) team solution to demonstrate networked tactical 
situational awareness and communications capabilities for the dismounted warfighter.
The U.S. Army's TACOM Contracting Center awarded Raytheon $11.8 million to provide a GSE technology demonstration. The contract calls for early prototype testing in 2009 and refined systems delivery and testing in 2010.
"Raytheon's GSE will provide decisive tactical awareness to the infantry brigade combat team soldier through real-time display of networked battlefield information. In essence, GSE can make a fully networked theater of operations possible by finally linking the most important element, the dismounted soldier," said Glynn Raymer, vice president, Raytheon Network Centric Systems Combat Systems.
"Raytheon brings forward to GSE a stalwart reputation for reliable systems performance in the heat of combat. We are incorporating low-risk, mature technologies to rapidly demonstrate an affordable solution that benefits the warfighter with greatly improved tactical situational awareness."
Raytheon GSE industry team members are Black Diamond Advanced Technology, providing hardened, wearable computing hardware, and CHI Systems, Inc., responsible for precise, GPS-denied navigation and other software components.
"There is no environment more challenging than a combat situation, and our troops simply must have equipment that works," said Justin Dyster, vice president, Engineering, Black Diamond Advanced Technology. "Raytheon leveraged our combat-proven, ultra-rugged SwitchBack computer in a comprehensive solution that will meet the ambitious project schedule set by the Army and ultimately deliver our warfighters a reliable tool."
"We are proud that the capabilities delivered by our Dismounted Close Combat, Command and Control System will contribute to giving our warfighters a battle-winning edge," said Wayne Zachary, president and CEO, CHI Systems Inc. "Our system offers unparalleled situational awareness and close combat capabilities to unit commanders, team leaders and individual warfighters."
Raymer noted, "Our GSE team solution reflects Raytheon's commitment to Army force modernization by 'digitizing' the dismounted soldier for today's networked battlefield."
Black Diamond Advanced Technology designs, engineers and manufactures fully rugged computers and accessories, including the SwitchBack™ ultra-rugged mobile PC. Engineered to withstand the harshest elements and environments, the SwitchBack features a modular, reconfigurable architecture that can be field-modified to meet the precise objectives of each mission. Black Diamond Advanced Technology is a product line of RMT Inc. and is based in Tempe, Ariz. For more information, visit http://www.bdatech.com/.
Headquartered in Fort Washington, Pa., CHI Systems Inc. is a U.S. small business with more than two decades of innovation in technology and solutions for government clients, principally the Department of Defense. CHI Systems is the supplier of DC4S, a range of dismounted close combat systems that gives commanders and warfighters one of the most advanced, wearable situational awareness capabilities available today.
Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.
situational awareness and communications capabilities for the dismounted warfighter.
The U.S. Army's TACOM Contracting Center awarded Raytheon $11.8 million to provide a GSE technology demonstration. The contract calls for early prototype testing in 2009 and refined systems delivery and testing in 2010.
"Raytheon's GSE will provide decisive tactical awareness to the infantry brigade combat team soldier through real-time display of networked battlefield information. In essence, GSE can make a fully networked theater of operations possible by finally linking the most important element, the dismounted soldier," said Glynn Raymer, vice president, Raytheon Network Centric Systems Combat Systems.
"Raytheon brings forward to GSE a stalwart reputation for reliable systems performance in the heat of combat. We are incorporating low-risk, mature technologies to rapidly demonstrate an affordable solution that benefits the warfighter with greatly improved tactical situational awareness."
Raytheon GSE industry team members are Black Diamond Advanced Technology, providing hardened, wearable computing hardware, and CHI Systems, Inc., responsible for precise, GPS-denied navigation and other software components.
"There is no environment more challenging than a combat situation, and our troops simply must have equipment that works," said Justin Dyster, vice president, Engineering, Black Diamond Advanced Technology. "Raytheon leveraged our combat-proven, ultra-rugged SwitchBack computer in a comprehensive solution that will meet the ambitious project schedule set by the Army and ultimately deliver our warfighters a reliable tool."
"We are proud that the capabilities delivered by our Dismounted Close Combat, Command and Control System will contribute to giving our warfighters a battle-winning edge," said Wayne Zachary, president and CEO, CHI Systems Inc. "Our system offers unparalleled situational awareness and close combat capabilities to unit commanders, team leaders and individual warfighters."
Raymer noted, "Our GSE team solution reflects Raytheon's commitment to Army force modernization by 'digitizing' the dismounted soldier for today's networked battlefield."
Black Diamond Advanced Technology designs, engineers and manufactures fully rugged computers and accessories, including the SwitchBack™ ultra-rugged mobile PC. Engineered to withstand the harshest elements and environments, the SwitchBack features a modular, reconfigurable architecture that can be field-modified to meet the precise objectives of each mission. Black Diamond Advanced Technology is a product line of RMT Inc. and is based in Tempe, Ariz. For more information, visit http://www.bdatech.com/.
Headquartered in Fort Washington, Pa., CHI Systems Inc. is a U.S. small business with more than two decades of innovation in technology and solutions for government clients, principally the Department of Defense. CHI Systems is the supplier of DC4S, a range of dismounted close combat systems that gives commanders and warfighters one of the most advanced, wearable situational awareness capabilities available today.
Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.
Royal Marines of 40 Commando and Bangladeshi forces patrol the waterways of the Ganges Delta using offshore raiding craft from 539 Assault Squadron to provide protection for land troops [Picture: LA(Phot) Shaun Barlow]
Exercise Shomudro Torongo, part of the TAURUS 09 deployment, was aimed at integrating the Bangladeshi and British forces in order to share expertise to combat terrorism and enhance UK environmental training and preparedness for natural disasters in the region.
It is the first such interaction between the two nations' naval forces in more than a decade.
The five day exercise saw amphibious assault ship HMS Bulwark insert Royal Marines ashore into the Ganges Delta supporting them from sea in a combined training package with their Bangladeshi counterparts.
Fast boats and landing craft from 4 and 539 Assault Squadrons Royal Marines pushed the troops ashore and stalked through the riverine environment, supporting a multi-agency search for a 'Contact of Interest'.
The environment enabled the marines from Charlie Company, 40 Commando, to practise anti-ambush drills, patrolling and the insertion and extraction of observation posts, culminating in a successful interception and boarding.
The exercise was designed to test and train a multitude of cross-governmental agencies, including Bangladeshi security forces, intelligence agencies, police, coastguard and both nations' military forces. Bangladeshi Navy ships, helicopters, Air Force assets and Army Commandos all took part.
Support tanker RFA Wave Ruler sat off the coast with a Merlin maritime patrol helicopter from 820 Naval Air Squadron embarked to offer essential CASEVAC (casualty evacuation) support in this complex environment as well as assist in the gathering of intelligence.
Royal Navy and Bangladeshi Navy personnel embedded in each others ships for the exercise, providing a truly integrated battle staff.
Speaking as the exercise came to an end, Task Group Commander, Commodore Peter Hudson, Commander UK Amphibious Task Group, said:
"This has been an ambitious and demanding exercise with some complex hurdles in a challenging coastal and riverine environment.
"There has been much to learn on both sides; the Bangladeshi forces have witnessed and learnt from some of the Royal Navy's best practices and in turn the Royal Navy has learnt a huge amount from our hosts, who are far more used to working in such complex waterways. This sort of activity is vital for us - after all, you don't find many waterways such as these in Devon.
"All the training objectives were achieved, including the establishment and function of a joint, combined inter-agency command centre, where information and intelligence was shared and analysed between a range of law enforcement agencies. This key objective will assist both countries in their joint efforts to combat terrorism and be prepared for natural disasters in the region."
His thoughts were echoed by the Bangladeshi Director, Naval Captain Akhtar Habib, who said:
"Shomudro Torongo is the first major joint exercise conducted between the Royal Navy and the Bangladeshi Navy including sister services, paramilitary forces and maritime agencies.
"Events like these boarding operations, coastal maritime security operations, joint and combined inter-agency command exercises add significant stride to Bangladeshi Navy capability in maritime security. It has been a resounding success at all levels of exercise."
Royal Navy personnel also demonstrated a good example of civil-military co-operation as a team of twenty personnel from HMS Bulwark ventured ashore to assist with building work on a community house in the south of Kutubdia island at Ali Akbardeil village. It gave them a great opportunity to experience at first hand the hardships and living environment of the coastal communities in the area as well as providing a helping hand.
The Task Group is now preparing for the next stage of TAURUS 09 which includes an exercise under the Five Powers Defence Agreement in Malaysia and culminates with a major multi-national exercise in Brunei where the participating maritime assets will inject the landing forces (40 Commando Royal Marines) ashore for a training package in the primary jungles of Brunei.
