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18 Jan 18. PacStar, a leading developer and supplier of advanced communications solutions for commercial, industrial and defense markets, today announced its 400-Series small form factor (SFF) tactical and deployable communications modules will move to full rate production for the U.S. Army Transportable Tactical Command Communications (T2C2) program. PacStar modules – which provide baseband networking for the T2C2 program’s Lite and Heavy systems – satisfactorily completed operational testing with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
PacStar equipment, when paired with T2C2 satellite terminals, will enable early entry forces to access the Army’s tactical communications network. The program will field two variants: a soldier-portable T2C2 Lite for early entry forces and a T2C2 Heavy for company-level command post/forward operating base communications.
PacStar’s baseband system consists of routing, switching and servers based on the patented and field-proven PacStar 400-Series solutions, incorporating Cisco networking and switching technologies and Intel advanced processors in rugged, small form factor modules. A patented snap together design allows multiple modules to share power from a common set of rechargeable batteries. All components and modules are fully interchangeable across Lite and Heavy variants. This interchangeability reduces training time, improves logistics, maximizes flexibility and supports ongoing program growth and development while protecting investment.
“PacStar has a long and successful track record of delivering innovative, state-of-the-art tactical networking gear to military and civilian organizations,” said Peggy Miller, chief executive officer, PacStar. “The U.S. Army’s selection of PacStar for the T2C2 program validates the savings in SWaP and modularity of our designs. It also underscores our commitment to quality, responsive technical support and significant investment in ongoing product advancement.”
In 2018 the Army plans to field T2C2 to 15 operational elements including seven brigade combat teams, four division headquarters, one corps headquarters, one military intelligence brigade and one expeditionary signal battalion. The Army plans to procure T2C2 until early 2025. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
17 Jan 18. Defense Innovation Board Approves Recommendations at Quarterly Meeting. The Defense Innovation Board – a federal advisory committee encompassing experts in academia, technology and business – approved two recommendations today aimed at improving innovation in the Defense Department.
The board, chaired by Eric Schmidt, the executive chairman of Alphabet Inc., met in a closed session at the Pentagon, and then in a public session in a separate location in Arlington, Virginia.
In the open meeting, the board approved recommendations for DoD to create a new innovation, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or I-STEM, career field and to establish a technology and innovation training program for the department’s senior leaders.
Future Warfighting Requires Innovation, STEM
Creating a pathway in the innovation and STEM fields is crucial if DoD wants to retain individuals with those in-demand skills, Marne Levine, the chief operating officer of Instagram, explained.
“We all know that the character of warfare is changing rapidly and the wars of the future will require a workforce equipped with innovation and STEM skill sets,” she said, noting that includes traditional STEM fields as well as areas such as data science and rapid capability development and acquisition.
Board members decided not to vote on two recommendations today, saying further discussions were needed on those topics. Those items were for the department to design a DoD fast-track for major technology initiatives and to incubate a