Collins develops battlefield data communications

Engineers at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are developing a geo-location system to enable soldiers in the field to communicate, exchange files, and conduct videoconferences. The project is to provide position and navigational information for Phase 3 of the Small Unit Operations Situational Awareness System, which is to comply with the emerging Joint Tactical Radio System Architecture. Collins is part of an ITT Industries Aerospace/Communications team working with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to integrate equipment for field evaluations. ITT integrators will install the Collins geo-location equipment into an ITT mobile communications terminal. This equipment is to improve wireless communications in restrictive terrain such as cities and mountains, and in the midst of jamming and direction finders. — J.K.