FORT WAYNE, Ind., 24 July 2012. ITT Exelis (NYSE: XLS) has been awarded a rapid equipping force contract to provide mission command on the move (MCOTM) systems for the U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea.

The system that was ordered is called the Global Network on the Move-Active Distribution (GNOMAD). The system provides broadband, on-the-move satellite connectivity through the integration of several commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products. It delivers a modular, reliable communications system to extend network connectivity to the lowest echelon on the battlefield.  

The contract award is in support of the unit's operational needs statement that required a MCOTM system to support contingency missions in South Korea. Exelis has also provided GNOMAD systems for the 4th Infantry Division while it was deployed to Iraq in 2011. The systems being delivered will have the same configuration as those used in Network Integration Exercise 12.1 at Fort Bliss, Texas, and White Sands Missile Range, N.M., that hosted mission command applications such as Command Post of the Future.

GNOMAD provides a bridge or alternative to current program of record systems and is available now for integration into the host communications platform. The system provides global Ku-band satellite communications on-the-move by supplying a mobile network that is compatible with an array of military vehicles.

GNOMAD's size, weight and power make it a viable solution for integration into several different U.S. Army ground vehicles, such as mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) all-terrain vehicles (M-ATV), M1(V) Abrams tanks, M2 Bradleys, and Strykers.

The new systems will first be used in an upcoming exercise in South Korea and then, pending Army and unit approval, remain in country with the 2nd Infantry Division. Under the contract, Exelis will provide the GNOMAD systems, a field service representative and integration support.