Army extends AT&T work on battlefield training systems

Two Army contracts that AT&T Government Solutions first won in 2004 are moving into new phases and the Army has awarded the company about $15 million for follow-up work. Both contracts pertain to developing live battlefield training systems.

One of the projects, called the One Tactical Engagement Simulation System, is moving into its third phase. AT&T and a team of information technology firms will develop realistic war-game technologies to simulate weaponry that is not dependent on line-of-sight for targeting. The new system will eventually replace the Army’s “laser tag” technology.

Under the other contract, the Combat Training Center Objective Instrumentation System, AT&T and the subcontractor team will develop a communications network to handle mobile voice, data and video traffic at the Army National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif. AT&T is a subcontractor on the contract, which it received from Lockheed Martin’s Simulation, Training and Support division, the prime contractor.

AT&T will design and implement a network to handle the high-speed communications needed to simulate a realistic battlefield, including rapid feedback to soldiers in training and their commanders.

The Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation manages both contracts.