On the battlefield, a soldier’s communications equipment can be the difference between life and death. Good lines of communication help troops track, engage and defeat opposing forces. Our men and women in uniform need a tactical communications network they know, trust and can take with them anywhere. General Dynamics Mission Systems’ Fortress® eNodeB (RN2404-2) provides that assurance and is now ready to deploy.
Fortress eNodeB (2404-2), Now FCC Certified
The eNodeB (RN2404-2), recently certified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is the latest addition to General Dynamics' Fortress LTE product family, which provides “always on” high speed network access to vital information, including voice, video, data, text and chat.
The RN2404-2 eNodeB brings to reality a future where the ease and mobility of modern smartphone technology is available to forces on the battlefield. Soldiers connected to Fortress 4G LTE Networks via commercial phones have secure and trusted access to the same mobile and streaming capabilities offered on domestic 4G LTE networks.
Optimizing System SWaP and Spectrum Agility
Using commercial 4G LTE infrastructure from General Dynamics, provides a low-cost solution to a consistent problem: how to give soldiers technology that is both agile and resilient. With a smaller physical footprint and the flexibility to operate within various spectrum bands, the RN2404-2 provides wider capabilities and ease of access to soldiers, whether they are on the front lines of battle, positioned at a Forward Operating Base or stationed at a tactical command center.
The RN2404-2 boasts improved SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) capabilities that make the product more physically and logistically agile. The optimized SWaP capabilities allow for a rugged, mobile tactical communications network that can go anywhere with the soldier.
Weighing only 21 lbs., the new eNodeB (RN2404-2) is 30% lighter than it’s predecessor, the 2420, making it ideal for tactical, quick-deploy operations. The unit itself is a box 14 inches wide by 12 inches long, and 4.3 inches tall.
Each quad-band RN2404-2, is configured and shipped to enable users the ability to connect to four discrete bands. Currently, we offer RN2404 configurations supporting bands 4, 5, 7, 12/17, 14, 20, 28 and 40. The spectrum agility that the eNodeB (RN2404-2) offers, allows users to maintain communications in a vast array of operating environments. Soldiers moving between rural, isolated and congested city arenas can easily switch bands to keep their lines of communication open.
Current products on the market, by contrast, require soldiers in the field to physically change boxes every time they need to switch networks, taking up unnecessary time and energy. This also creates a logistical tail that hampers maneuverability.
Implementing the Future of Tactical Communications
Before the RN2404-2 could be fully commercialized, it had to be authorized by the FCC – a process that involved months of compliance testing to ensure the new product does not cause harmful interference and complies with all FCC technical requirements. The FCC’s testing is now finished and the RN2404-2 is certified to operate in multiple bands and is ready for rapid commercial off-the shelf deployments.
General Dynamics Mission Systems has the most robust, secure and mobile LTE device on the market. FCC certification of the eNodeB (RN2404-2) further solidifies General Dynamics Mission Systems’ place as the leader in tactical LTE technology. Extensively tested and validated for military use by government standards, this technology is made with today’s soldiers in mind — and it’s ready to be in their hands tomorrow.
