SIGNAL Connections

Fused data provides a clearer picture of potential seaborne threats.

The cure cannot kill the patient.

Technological innovation creation may be unlimited, but the spectrum it needs is not. Open discussions identified some of the frustrations spectrum managers feel when in the field.

General Dynamics C4 System
Sectéra® Edge™ (SME PED)
The Sectéra® Edge™ converges secure wireless voice and data by combining the functionality of a wireless phone and PDA — all in one easy-to-use, ruggedized handheld device. Developed for the National Security Agency’s Secure Mobile Environment Portable Electronic Device (SME-PED) program, the Edge is certified to protect wireless voice communications classified Top Secret and below as well as access e-mail and websites classified Secret and below.

General Dynamics C4 Systems
8220 E. Roosevelt St, Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Phone 781-455-2800; 888-897-3148
infosec@gdc4s.com
www.gdc4s.com/secteraedge 


Harris Corporation

Harris Corporation Receives National Security Agency Certification for Falcon III Multiband Manpack Radio

 First Wideband Networking Radio to Receive NSA-Type 1 Certification

Homefront Help is SIGNAL Connections’ effort to support U.S. service members, veterans and their families. The column highlights programs that offer resources and assistance to the military community ranging from care packages to benefits and everything in between.

In that same spirit, Homefront Help presents opportunities for readers to donate time, offer resources and send words of thanks to those who sacrifice for freedom. Programs that provide services to the troops are listed in red. Opportunities for the public to reach out to service members are listed in blue. Each program description includes a link to the organization's Web site, when available.

Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline
The U.S. Army instituted the Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline (WSFH) in March 2007 to give wounded, injured or ill soldiers and their families a means to share concerns about quality of care. The service does not circumvent the chain of command, but gives troops an additional method to resolve medical-related issues. The Army began the program in response to soldiers wounded in the Global War on Terrorism and their families who were having difficulty navigating through the medical care system.

The hotline receives three types of calls: inquiries, requests for information and issues of concern. Some calls can be answered immediately, while others require research and take longer to answer. Issue-related calls may demand even more time to resolve.

Robots for the Army
The U.S. Army can order up to 3,000 military robots, spare parts, training and repair services over the next five years under a new agreement. In the past, the Army has deployed robots in combat in limited numbers and only to explosive ordnance device specialists. Now the service is broadening the deployment of robots to general infantry forces for a variety of critical missions. The first 101 robots are being delivered for urgent deployment. The robots, PackBot 510 with FasTac Kit, are smaller and lighter than the original PackBot 510, with a robust gripper and an observation mast equipped with a low-light-capable zoom camera. iRobot Corporation received the $286 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract from the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation on behalf of the Robotic Systems Joint Project Office at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

International Contracts

Army Deploys Cyber Warriors
The U.S. Army’s European Command has launched its first cyber-intelligence units to counter growing online threats. The Army’s 5th Signal Command in Mannheim, Germany, is operating a component-level cyber cell consisting of three experienced intelligence and computer experts. The specialists will observe potentially harmful data passing from the Internet into friendly networks, identify attack patterns, analyze data and advise network operators so they can take preventative action to ensure the security of the command’s systems. Another cell responsibility is to prevent military users from engaging in “digital fratricide”—accidentally blocking or deleting vital communications.

From Facebook to wikis and mashups to folksonomies, this is not your father’s Internet anymore and the implications pose some interesting questions.