US Army Selects Persistent Systems to Deliver NGC2 Network

Persistent Systems, LLC (“Persistent”), the leader in mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) technology, announced today the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, and Network (PEO 3CN) has submitted an initial order of $34 million to outfit the 4th Infantry Division with Wave Relay devices, serving as the network for the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) prototype.

The Army selected Persistent following its successful demonstration at Project Convergence – Capstone 5 (PC-C5). During the exercise, the company’s Wave Relay® MANET demonstrated the scalability and network capacity to transport massive amounts of data from cameras, sensors, and software systems across an armored battalion on the move. The enhanced communications capability enabled M1A1 tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles to coordinate a combined arms breach, a complex tactical maneuver, with precision.

“We expect that the results from this prototype will help inform the rest of the Army’s networking strategy, as soldiers experience interoperability, data fusion, and constant connectivity, which only a network can provide,” said Jon Patrick, Vice President of Business Development at Persistent. “Commercial companies, like Persistent, can innovate faster and provide capabilities that will be key to winning the next war.”

Under this order, MPU5 networking devices, Personal Transport (PT5) devices, and other devices will be sent to the 4th Infantry Division, NGC2’s experimental division, for further testing at Project Convergence-Capstone 6 (PC-C6). Technologies at PC-C6 that successfully demonstrate effectiveness and survivability will drive Programs of Record for follow-on fielding to multiple divisions within the U.S. Army.

“NGC2 signifies the Army’s new approach to empower warfighters with the most advanced commercial communications technology, creating a truly networked battlefield,” said Dr. Herbert Rubens, Founder and CEO of Persistent. “We are confident that our organization can deliver advanced networking capabilities at the scale the Army requires.”

NGC2, which originated as a proof of concept at Project Convergence – Capstone 4 (PC-C4) and was subsequently tested at PC-C5, aims to transform command and control capabilities, enabling lethal decision-making to occur in seconds rather than minutes. With its technology now central to the Army’s modernization push, Persistent Systems stands at the forefront of the networked battlefield.