US: A mobile military communications ‘network in a box’ developed by Lockheed Martin has been upgraded with processing power comparable to systems four times its size. Lockheed Martin’s Whetstone network suite now offers users in remote and disconnected areas the ability to quickly process, download and disseminate terabytes of mission command data while operating outside of the network.
“With Whetstone, we’ve developed a small system that offers troops extensive capabilities. This lightweight system is small but powerful and offers the processing capability of much larger systems at a fraction of the weight," said Dr. Rob Smith, vice president of C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, information, surveillance and reconnaissance) for Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Solutions. Lockheed Martin’s Whetstone system was developed to extend communications to soldiers out of range of conventional networks. It provides satellite communications connectivity and can support anything from small unit missions to a brigade combat team’s command post requirements.
The system’s network infrastructure has been upgraded to now push terabytes of broadband data — such as satellite imagery, mission command data, and full motion video feeds — down to company level units that lack wideband communications. It can also be easily integrated with and can equip or supplement vehicles that have communications links to other networks for data and voice, such as UHF/VHF Line of Sight, Enhanced Position Location Reporting System, Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System.
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