General Dynamics Evaluates New Capabilities for Warrior Systems

Best in warfighter helmet and headset technology evaluated and selected

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Oct. 3, 2005 — U.S. Army soldiers played a pivotal role recently in selecting the best industry has to offer in warfighter helmet and headset technologies in an evaluation lead by General Dynamics C4 Systems. They gave high marks for equipment offering enhanced situational awareness, lethality and survivability features.

Conducted at Yakima Training Center outside of Yakima, Wash., with soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 14th Calvary regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), the field evaluation led to the selection of the best helmet mounted display (HMD) and headsets to be integrated into the Mounted Warrior Program which equips Army crew members assigned to Stryker vehicles. The six-day evaluation on Aug. 9-14, 2005, included criteria for ease of use, comfort, performance and durability for six different helmet mounted display and headset products.

As a result of the user feedback received, General Dynamics selected two products to be leveraged across its warrior programs. Rockwell Collins was selected for the winning HMD and Peltor Communications of Indianapolis, Ind., was selected for its headset.

“In our quest for warrior systems and capabilities, actual warfighter feedback is a critical part of system integration evaluation,” said Mark Showah, director of Intelligent Network Systems for General Dynamics C4 Systems. “We completed extensive technical evaluations to ensure that the choices soldiers were presented with represented the best of the best technologies available to meet mission requirements. General Dynamics is extremely focused on finding excellent technology to be integrated into warrior systems to enhance warfighter survivability and lethality.”

The winning Rockwell Collins Helmet Mounted Display, the ProView SO35 monocular was selected because of its true color display quality, ease-of-use and the stability of the HMD on the Stryker vehicle. The selected Peltor Com-Tac II headset provided the soldiers with the best comfort and fit when used with the army combat helmet (ACH). Both products will be integrated into the Mounted Warrior Program, an advanced combat helmet system for combat vehicle crewmen.

Along with Mounted Warrior, General Dynamics C4 Systems also is the prime system integrator for the Army’s Air Warrior system, which consists of state-of-the-art electronics and advanced, mission-specific protective clothing for helicopter aircrew members; and Land Warrior, an integrated, modular fighting system that uses technology to enhance individual soldiers’ close-combat tactical awareness, lethality and survivability. Land Warrior includes weapon-mounted sensors, an integrated helmet assembly, a communications-navigation computer system and software for friendly-force tracking and command/control programs. The total Land Warrior program value under contract is $258 million. Air Warrior is valued at $30 million while Mounted Warrior is valued at $6.1 million.

General Dynamics C4 Systems is a leading integrator of secure communication and information systems and technology. With more than 10,500 employees worldwide, the company specializes in command and control, communications networking, space systems, computing and information assurance for defense, government and select commercial customers in the United States and abroad.