Marine Corps Selects PacStar Networking Equipment for Command Post Applications

Portland, Oregon-based PacStar announced on May 21 that the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) selected aspects of the company's ​Secure Wireless Command Post solution to support the Marine Air Ground Task force (MAGTF). The equipment includes network infrastructure, encryption and cybersecurity for the Marine Common Handheld (MCH) program. The MCH, a digital information processing and display system, provides integrated command and control (C2) and situational awareness to commanders, leaders and other C2 nodes, during tactical combat and combat support.

Under the contract, PacStar will supply commercial, small-form factor, rugged networking modules. In addition, the company will provide encrypted access to classified networks on mobile devices at the tactical edge, following Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) requirements, the company stated. The infrastructure will support the Marines' "modular, man-portable equipment suite that allows the warfighter to quickly acquire targets in day, night, and near all-weather visibility conditions; and control close air support (CAS) as well as artillery and Naval surface fire support missions," a PacStar official noted.