MELBOURNE, Fla., April 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
Highlights
- Provides warfighters with 3G cellular service capabilities in
remote and rugged locations
- Super-fast connectivity enables warfighters to become
on-the-move sensors
- Small size, weight and power (SWaP) for mobile or fixed
deployments
Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS), an international communications
and information technology company, has introduced KnightHawk™ 3G —
a ruggedized, highly mobile tactical base station that enables
warfighters on the move to maintain 3G cellular services in
locations with limited or no cellular connectivity.
Jointly developed by Harris and Battleground Telecommunications
Systems (BTS™), KnightHawk 3G is a customizable cellular Network In
a Box (NIB) compatible with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)
equipment, including smartphones and tablets. Each KnightHawk
3G is installed with BTS Praefectus™ Mission Management Software,
which automates configuration and management of the cellular
network, and enables each KnightHawk to operate autonomously or as
a scalable network with hundreds of nodes for increased range.
This compatibility allows users in the battlefield to
leverage existing applications, thereby enabling them to track a
team's location, automatically translate foreign languages, and
conduct remote training using existing advanced programs.
KnightHawk 3G features UMTS High Speed Packet Access, providing
extremely fast connectivity of 14.4 mbps for downloads and up to
5.76 mbps for uploads. It also offers the benefits of small
size, weight and power (SWaP), making it ideal for mobile,
multi-mission requirements in challenging environments.
"KnightHawk 3G is a landmark system that gives the U.S. military
immediate access to millions of low-cost commercial devices already
on the market while maintaining compatibility with future
standards," said Dan Pearson,
executive vice president and chief operating officer for Harris.
"Our unique solution blends the principle of interoperability
with capabilities that use the current cellular tower model and
enables the military to deploy it on a variety of platforms while
on the move."
"KnightHawk 3G allows the warfighter to train, fight and
communicate more effectively by bringing cutting-edge 3G/4G
commercial technology, such as the Droid, iPhone®, iPad®, and other
advanced devices to the battlefield," said Sean Lane, BTS chief executive officer.
"From an intelligence perspective, KnightHawk 3G enables
every warfighter to become a sensor with the ability to report
audio, video, and other data to commanders in real time."
About BTS
Battlefield Telecommunications Systems, LLC is a Columbia, Maryland-based, company that
provides advanced, mobile telecommunications technology, software
development and integration for the U.S. government and the private
sector. Since the company's formation in 2008, the BTS
mission is to pioneer, refine and distribute unique technical
solutions to state, federal, and commercial markets to achieve
communications and information dominance. Through a
combination of innovative technical products and integration,
high-quality professionals, and first-rate delivery execution, BTS
focuses on addressing customer's immediate and critical operational
needs. Additional information about BTS is available at
www.UnleashBTS.com.
About Harris Corporation
Harris is an international communications and information
technology company serving government and commercial markets in
more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has
approximately $6 billion of annual
revenue and more than 16,000 employees — including nearly 7,000
engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing
best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and
services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is
available at www.harris.com.
SOURCE Harris Corporation