Battlefield Airmen Communications Solution for Challenging Environments

The Battlefield Airmen require an integrated audio communication interface solution that excels in extremely high noise, wind, moisture and other challenging environmental conditions in which legacy communication systems fail to perform. This interface must provide seamless communications when transitioning between operational environments (land, sea, air) and donning/doffing required protective gear (masks/helmets/cold weather kit). The solution must offer low head-borne weight, eliminate wired connectivity to the head, and have no visual indication of a head-worn communication system, while at the same time be able to maintain high-quality two-way audio continuously in all environments and during transitions. The proposed solution must be compatible with existing man-portable radios and dismounted multi-port hub data distribution systems and be adaptable to the Battlefield Airmen computational infrastructure including the ATAK platform and aircraft and land-vehicle ICS. The communication system must be physically rugged, waterproof to 3 meters, and usable with O2 masks. The system shall exhibit low-detection, utilize secure/encrypted audio for wireless connectivity, and perform independently from any chosen hearing protection options. The proposed solution must consider network and information security compliance with Air Force and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) policies for wireless networks (Reference DoDI and NIST security controls.)

. Awarded Vendors: SKC Powertech. Contract Award Dollar Amount: 2486439.00. Contract Award Date: 2019-08-29.