Tobyhanna Army Depot ensures Warfighter communications stable and secure

Servicemembers worldwide now have more consistent access to secure communication equipment – all thanks to a collaborative team at Tobyhanna Army Depot.

Personnel recently stood up an overhaul program for the KGV-310B crypto card, a crucial sub-component of the Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical-Terminal (SMART-T). When fully equipped, the SMART-T system permits warfighters to send secure data, text and voice communications - without fear of interception or detection by enemy forces. In today’s modern battlefield, systems like SMART-T play a key role in America’s national defense strategy and are used across the joint services by Soldiers, Airmen and Marines.

“SMART-T is a ‘go to war’ system,” said Anthony Portanova. “Our Armed Forces customers need the system running perfectly so they can respond to conflict at a moment’s notice.” Portanova is the chief of the Secure Communications Project Management Branch in the Production Management Directorate.

Because there are a limited number of KGV-310B cards available, servicemembers faced a tough decision when their asset needed repair – put off the repair or go without the system while the asset was being fixed. The depot’s new overhaul program is creating a stockpile of repaired crypto cards, so when a unit needs one, they can simply request a new card and send their broken card in for repair later.

Getting the new program up and running wasn’t without its challenges, according to Logistics Management Specialist Paul Hudack.

“The scope of this project is more complex than the typical communications security effort,” he said. “In order to ensure we provide the warfighter with the very best product, we needed to obtain specialized equipment and obtain developmental training for our electronics personnel. In addition, we had to develop the logistics process to create the sustainment stock of cards.”

Hudack says the program wouldn’t have been possible without teamwork across the depot.

“We had great support when standing up this program – everyone from our engineers to the prime shop and beyond. This effort is a great example of how a little collaboration can go a long way.”

Portanova noted that customers are already reaping the benefits of Tobyhanna’s new capability.

“One customer reported a readiness increase of 13%. I’m proud of the work my team does to keep the warfighter connected,” he said.

Tobyhanna is slated to support the SMART-T system through 2035.

The KGV-310B overhaul program is directly aligned with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035. The plan, which focuses on posturing the depot to be competitive in the future, has lines of effort dedicated to ensuring C5ISR readiness across the joint services and shaping the future of warfighter communication.

Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners.

Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters.

About 3,100 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.