Subject: [NEXTEL-1] Army tech adaptable for homeland

From: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 15:46:00 -0400

Army tech adaptable for homeland

 BY Dan Caterinicchia
 May 6, 2003

 The Army has identified numerous technologies that can be used to
 support the nation's first responders, according to one service
 leader.

 Gen. Paul Kern, commander of Army Materiel Command, outlined
 eight solutions that could be used by federal, state and local
 agencies responding to a natural disaster, terrorist attack or other
 contingency. He was speaking today at the Armed Forces
 Communications and Electronics Association's TechNet
 International conference in Washington, D.C.

 The solutions he cited include:

 * Adapting the Land Warrior technology, which features a
 12.5-pound wearable ensemble of equipment and software. The
 gear includes elements of wireless communications,
 weapon-mounted sensors, Global Positioning System-based navigation and computers that
 integrate soldiers into a networked fighting team.

 * A mobile command post command and control (C2) unit.

 * Secure, wireless local-area networks.

 * Position location, or blue force tracking, in buildings and wider areas.

 * Emergency notification with feedback.

 * National emergency support center "push packages" (emergency caches of medical
supplies).

 * Fixed and mobile communications gateways.

 * Re-supply and training.

 Kern described an innovative solution that officials in Iowa used to connect local,
state, federal
 and defense communities by adapting an existing network used by the state's schools.

 Furthermore, the Army is using the Defense Information System Network, the Army Guard
 Network and the Army Reserve Network to enable its worldwide units to communicate and
 share information, Kern said.

http://www.fcw.com/geb/articles/2003/0505/web-kern-05-06-03.asp