General Dynamics and Cisco Systems Advance Battlefield Networking

General Dynamics C4 Systems and Cisco Systems have integrated Cisco's Unified Communications Manager software into the General Dynamics Itronix GoBook XR-1 computer. This will allow current and future users of the Army's Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) to access communication services such as telephony, email, voice and text messaging via a fully-ruggedised, small-footprint notebook computer. The computer may be stand-alone, mounted in vehicles or stored in transit cases.

WIN-T is a mobile broadband network that will enable commanders and command posts to carry out battle plans and to collaborate while on-the-move.

"The high-performance General Dynamics Itronix GoBook XR-1, combined with the Cisco Unified Communications Manager, represents the innovative integration required to meet the demanding needs of warfighters on-the-move," said Brian Lass, director of Strategy Planning and Business Development for Communication Networks at General Dynamics C4 Systems. "The XR-1 notebook has proven itself in harsh environments around the globe and represents the significant size, weight and power efficiencies needed for WIN-T communications."

The GoBook XR-1 is built for battlefield conditions, meeting MIL-STD 810F tests, yet weighs only 6.8 pounds. The XR-1 includes features such as an Intel Core Duo processor and up to 4GB of RAM. In addition, advanced features including RF shielding and integrated GPS with a quadra-helix antenna, to optimize satellite positioning access, are included.

"Battlefield networking is key to supporting current and future military missions, as it connects everything that walks, drives, sails or flies," said Pat Ryan, director of Defense for Cisco's Global Government Solutions Group. "The need for high performance and the utmost in reliability and scalability is very real for warfighters. We have worked hard to deliver a processing tool that leverages the best from commercial technology and applies it to the mobile battlefield."

As WIN-T prime contractor, General Dynamics has partnered with Lockheed Martin to lead a team of communications, network systems and platform integration experts that include BAE Systems, Harris Corporation and L-3 Communications.

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