MCKINNEY, Texas, 29 May 2009. The U.S. Army has selected Raytheon Company's Ground Soldier Ensemble (GSE) team solution to demonstrate networked tactical situational awareness and communications capabilities for the dismounted warfighter.

Raytheon won from the U.S. Army's TACOM Contracting Center $11.8 million to provide a GSE technology demonstration. The contract calls for early prototype testing in 2009, and refined systems delivery and testing in 2010.

"Raytheon's GSE will provide decisive tactical awareness to the infantry brigade combat team soldier through real-time display of networked battlefield information. In essence, GSE can make a fully networked theater of operations possible by finally linking the most important element, the dismounted soldier," says Glynn Raymer, vice president, Raytheon Network Centric Systems Combat Systems.

Raytheon GSE industry team members are Black Diamond Advanced Technology, providing hardened, wearable computing hardware, and CHI Systems Inc., responsible for precise, GPS-denied navigation and other software components.

"There is no environment more challenging than a combat situation, and our troops simply must have equipment that works," says Justin Dyster, vice president, engineering, Black Diamond Advanced Technology. "Raytheon leveraged our combat-proven, ultra-rugged SwitchBack computer in a comprehensive solution that will meet the ambitious project schedule set by the Army and ultimately deliver our warfighters a reliable tool."

Raymer notes: "Our GSE team solution reflects Raytheon's commitment to Army force modernization by 'digitizing' the dismounted soldier for today's networked battlefield."