Military range exercises supported by Fortress Technologies’ wireless bridge
Fortress Technologies announced that it is supporting a wireless reach-back project for the U.S. Marine Corps‘ tactical training ranges in Orlando, Fla., enabling the Corps to pass critical information in a mobile environment, said Janet Kumpu, Fortress’ president.
Fortress teamed with Luxul Wireless to enable wireless signals to transmit over the 4.4 GHz band, which is specifically authorized for federal government users, Kumpu said. She said the company’s FIPS-validated ES520 wireless bridges were combined with Luxul Shock-WAV frequency translating amplifiers to provide the secure wireless capability over the alternative spectrum. The ES520 is a network access device that combines the features of a wireless access point, bridge, Ethernet switch and FIPS 140-2 validated AES encryption in a rugged, weatherized form factor. It converts commercial-off-the-shelf 5 GHz wireless LAN technologies to the 4.4 GHz government protected band by using a bi-directional frequency translator and amplifier, Kumpu said.
“It provides the communication and security framework for the wireless mesh system,” Kumpu said about the bridge.
The system supported the transmission of telemetry data as well as different data transmitted from vehicles, personnel and others involved in the reach-back project, Kumpu said.
“A variety of different applications are run over that infrastructure and it allows them to capture that intelligence and use it for further advancement and the way they operate,” she said.
The bridge costs under $5000, Kumpu said.