WASHINGTON, Oct 25, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- AAI and Overwatch, operating units of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, along with ViaSat Inc., will introduce and demonstrate the new Forward Airborne Secure Transmissions and Communications (FASTCOM) system today at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) 2010 Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, D.C. Visitors to booth #1405 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center can view a live demonstration of the secure, expeditionary cellular network, which supports Secret and below communications. ViaSat, located at booth #4239, also will support the demonstration at AUSA.
Powered by an unmanned aircraft, aerostat or ground vehicle equipped with third-generation (3G) cellular pods with fourth-generation expansion capability, FASTCOM creates a secure and private, mobile cellular network, or "bubble." Users within the bubble can receive intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data; achieve direct access to intelligence sources such as the AAI/Overwatch Tactical Remote Exploitation (T-REx(TM)) Terminal; and utilize voice and data backhaul through ViaSat satellite communication sources. In addition, users have access to all of the 3G features of their smartphones, such as Overwatch's SoldierEyes(TM) suite of command, control, intelligence and situational awareness applets. SoldierEyes enables interoperability with intelligence databases and uses an open architecture that supports third-party software applications.
"Secure mobile communications are vital for situational awareness and safety in the battlefield, and warfighters need these resources available to them 24/7, regardless of the surrounding area's austerity or lack of infrastructure. The FASTCOM system provides our troops the right capabilities, right now," says Senior Vice President and General Manager Ellen Lord of AAI. "AAI, Overwatch and ViaSat have combined their core areas of expertise and incorporated proven technologies and commercial, off-the-shelf equipment to create a new and timely solution for our customers."
"Commercial technologies have matured to the point that both the infrastructure and the smartphone can be packaged and secured to allow warfighters to deploy the communications devices they are already familiar with and use at home," says ViaSat Vice President and General Manager, Information Assurance Chris Wren. "There is amazing potential to use the FASTCOM system to provide applications that increase the connectivity and visibility of our troops."
"Technology is only as good as it is useful," says Overwatch Senior Vice President and General Manager Randall Averitte. "Our realistic demonstration scenarios will showcase one of the most important benefits of FASTCOM -- the system's ability to deploy rapidly and successfully to enhance the capabilities of the force and the utility of its assets."
About AAI
AAI Corporation and its indirect wholly owned subsidiaries Aerosonde Pty Ltd and ESL Defence Limited design, produce and support industry-leading aerospace and defense products and services, including unmanned aircraft and ground control technologies; high-fidelity training and simulation systems; automated aerospace test and maintenance equipment; armament systems; and logistical, engineering, supply chain and operational support services. AAI Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at http://www.aaicorp.com.
About Overwatch
Overwatch, an operating unit of Textron Systems, is the leading provider of integrated intelligence software solutions and services as well as robust satellite communications systems for today's U.S. and international defense and intelligence communities. For the past 20 years, Overwatch's intelligence solutions have supported decision makers, counter-terrorism analysts, warfighters and first responders by providing proven tools that simplify the integration, analysis and exploitation of intelligence in order to present a complete operational picture and accelerate the time-to-decision. More information is available at http://www.overwatch.com.
About ViaSat Inc.
ViaSat produces innovative satellite and other digital communication products that enable fast, secure, and efficient communications to virtually any location. The company provides networking products and managed network services for enterprise IP applications; network-centric military communications and encryption technologies and products to the U.S. government; gateway and customer-premises equipment for consumer and mobile satellite broadband services; and owns WildBlue, the premier Ka-band satellite broadband service provider. More information is available at http://www.viasat.com.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems Corporation has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years. Known for its unmanned aircraft systems, advanced marine craft, armored vehicles, intelligent battlefield and surveillance systems, intelligence software solutions, precision smart weapons, piston engines, test and training systems, and total life cycle sustainment services, Textron Systems includes AAI Corporation, Lycoming Engines, Overwatch, Textron Defense Systems and Textron Marine & Land Systems. Textron Systems Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at http://www.textronsystems.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at http://www.textron.com.
AAI and design is a registered trademark of AAI Corporation.
FASTCOM and T-REx are trademarks of AAI Corporation.
SoldierEyes is a trademark of Overwatch.
SOURCE: Textron
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