Advancing Networking Capabilities

Jeff Mercer, director, Strategic Communications Joint Program Executive Office for the Joint Tactical Radio System (JPEO JTRS), served as the guest speaker at the chapter's October luncheon. Mercer briefed attendees on the current status of the JTRS program. He spoke on new networking capabilities enabling increased operational flexibility through multichannel, multiwaveform, cyber hardened, route/retransmit networked-capable radios that JTRS provides. Mercer stated that individual unit costs would be decreased through competitive acquisition strategies in production. He also spoke on the Small Business Innovative Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs utilized by the JTRS program to stimulate technological innovation. Since the initiation of both programs, more than 80 contracts have been awarded to a diverse selection of small companies and universities in 18 states. He concluded by stating, "Continuous innovation and insertion of new warfighter capabilities is critical to the long-term success of the JTRS program.”

Event Photographs: