Fortress Teams With Telos Corp. on U.S. Army Front Line Mobile Communications Solution

Release date: 4/8/2008
Secure, Tactical Wireless Local Area Network Modules Will Support Deployed Troops Worldwide
Fortress Technologies, a leading provider of security and secure wireless solutions, today announced that it has been selected as part of the Telos Corporation team to support the U.S. Army's Combat Service Support Automated Information System Interface (CAISI) program. Under the terms of the agreement, Fortress will provide its ES520 Secure Wireless Access Bridges as part of the overall implementation. Telos will deploy the Fortress component as the anchor of the solution, creating the CAISI Bridge Module that the Army will use to provide connectivity from soldiers on the battlefield to their logistics networks.

"Our next-generation solution provides critical 'last-mile' connectivity between combat service support computers and their logistics base networks in their deployed location," said Winston Payne, Telos' CAISI program manager. "We are pleased to have Fortress as our partner as we enhance wireless connectivity in support of deployed troops as they perform critical missions worldwide."

CAISI is a tactical Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) deployment that provides commercial and tactical network connections for supply chain logistic coordination. CAISI enables secure communications between soldiers on the front lines to warehouses and command facilities located around the world. The goal of the program is to significantly decrease the time required to get soldiers the supplies they need to stay equipped on the battlefield. The indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract, with a potential quantity of more than 13,000 modules, will run for three base year plus two option years.

"Fortress has extensive experience working in the military wireless networking environment and is well-equipped to meet the requirements associated with this challenging market," said Janet Kumpu, President, Fortress. "We appreciate both the confidence that Telos has in our ability to support the CAISI program as well as the opportunity to serve our nation's troops, and look forward to initiating work."

The Fortress ES520 is an all-in-one network access device with built-in Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 validated security. The ES520 is ideally suited to work as a self-contained network combining the functions of a wireless access point, Ethernet switch, and security gateway in a form factor engineered specifically for harsh outdoor environments.

About General Dynamics C4 Systems Fortress Technologies
Fortress Technologies, part of General Dynamics C4 Systems, delivers a high performance portfolio of COTS wireless and secure communications capabilities, based on industry-proven technology. Fortress products and technologies are enhanced with the highest levels of industry-standard encryption that conform to commercial and government security standards and meet stringent environmental standards to support tactical wireless communications in austere environments for global defense, critical infrastructure and enterprise users.
Leveraging a self-forming, self-healing, path-optimizing mesh architecture, the Fortress advanced wireless network solution is optimized for rugged-outdoor, mobile, military, first responder and critical infrastructure environments, where reliable communications are a must.
Fortress secure wireless networking products and embedded solutions are designed for ease of use, simple integration and technical insertion, enabling partners and customers to meet their most challenging wireless communications needs. For more information, visit www.gdfortress.com