CARLSBAD, Calif. - Viasat Inc. in Carlsbad, Calif. announced the launch of the Secure Wireless Hub (SWH), a wearable tactical gateway designed for dismounted soldiers. Developed in collaboration with U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), the SWH aims to enhance tactical communications for mobile ground forces.
The SWH is Viasat’s first wearable tactical gateway, offering a flexible, all-in-one design for rapid setup and improved situational awareness. Weighing less than one kilogram, the SWH, Viasat says, integrates with body armor and reduces the physical load on soldiers. It also offers an 85 percent reduction in cabling compared to other systems, simplifying use for ground operators.
The SWH provides the capabilities of larger systems in a compact form, meeting expanding tactical edge compute and networking requirements for dismounted users. The system includes Viasat’s mobile software-defined networking platform, NetAgility, enabling it to utilize various tactical transports and advanced networking capabilities. It also offers a secure VPN for resilient connectivity and safe data sharing across multiple devices.
“Tactical edge operators are seeking lightweight compute and resilient connectivity solutions to advance Battle Management Command, Control, and Communications (BMC3) capabilities. The Secure Wireless Hub is our latest tactical solution created to support this by addressing interoperability, automation, and security challenges for the dismounted user,” said David Schmolke, Vice President of Mission Connections and Cybersecurity, Viasat Government. “The SWH was designed with a focus on a user experience that enables the warfighter to focus on the mission and not the equipment.”
The SWH's modular design allows integration and configuration for various mission needs, including LTE and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth. The Secure Wireless Hub App provides seamless integration with military devices, serving as a single-source configuration manager. Viasat collaborated with SOCOM to test and assess the SWH system during the Strategic Level Joint SOF Fires Exercise last fall.
