ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (June 29, 2015)--The Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) program was granted Full Materiel Release (FMR) for its mobile tactical communication network backbone, WIN-T Increment 2.
Receiving a FMR signifies that the Army has rigorously tested and evaluated the system and determined that the Increment 2 system is safe, operationally suitable and logistically supportable for use by Soldiers. A FMR is required by Army acquisition policy for the program to continue fielding.
"The WIN-T Increment 2 Full Materiel Release is a significant accomplishment and important for the Army's network modernization," said Col. Edward Swanson, project manager for WIN-T. "Providing an on-the-move network that can support full spectrum operations is critical to enabling mission command and expeditionary operations."
The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) granted the FMR to the WIN-T Increment 2 program in mid-June. The FMR approval was based on satisfying conditions set forth by CECOM in the Conditional Materiel Release November 2012. The conditional materiel release allowed for the program to procure and field Low Rate Initial Production lots of WIN-T Increment 2 equipment. Over the course of two years, the program, based on Soldier feedback, made improvements to WIN-T capability, which were incorporated into the Full Rate Production designs.
This month the Army also received approval to proceed to full rate production (FRP) and fielding of WIN-T Increment 2. The approval was the result of a Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) review of the program conducted in May. Obtaining the FRP decision means that the program has been deemed mature, has met all its threshold requirements and reduced its risk to the point where the program can proceed with fielding for the duration of the program lifecycle. The FRP decision enables the program office to procure and field the capability to all remaining Army units that are projected to receive WIN-T Increment 2 through fiscal year 2028.
Following the FRP decision, a $220 million delivery order was awarded for WIN-T Increment 2 Lots 4, 5 and 6. This ensures availability of WIN-T Increment 2 configuration items for fielding to Capabilities Sets starting in Fiscal Year 2017.
"WIN-T Increment 2 provides mobile network communications in challenging environments and extends the operational footprint so forces can obtain advanced situational awareness when and where they need it," said Lt. Col. Lamont Hall, product manager for WIN-T Increment 2. "We will continue to enhance and simplify the system so Soldiers are provided the best capability possible to enable support of missions in a complex world."
WIN-T Increment 2 is a critical part of the Army's tactical network modernization strategy and the backbone of its network capability sets. Combat and tactical vehicles integrated with WIN-T Increment 2 provide the on-the-move communications, mission command and situational awareness that commanders need to lead from anywhere on the battlefield. WIN-T Increment 2 enables deployed Soldiers down to the company level operating in remote and challenging terrain to maintain voice, video and data communications while on patrol, with connectivity rivaling that found in a stationary command post.
To date, the Army has fielded WIN-T Increment 2 capability to 13 brigade combat teams and four division (Div) headquarters from the 10th Mountain Div, 82nd Airborne Div, 101st Airborne Div, 2nd Infantry Div, and the 1st Armored Div. U.S. Soldiers have already deployed with and utilized the system in Afghanistan, where commanders referred to it as their "digital guardian angel." Additionally, WIN-T Increment 2 is currently supporting forces in Operation Inherent Resolve.
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