Lockheed Martin develops tactical handheld device for dismounted soldier situational awareness

Lockheed Martin has developed a ruggedized, tactical handheld device for dismounted Soldiers. The Tactical Digital Assistant (TDA) provides unprecedented situational awareness, command and control, and blue force tracking capabilities to brigade and below forces.

"The Lockheed Martin TDA leverages our systems integration experience to meet tactical-level Warfighters' critical needs in a joint operational environment," said Rich Russell, director of Sensors, Data Links and Advanced Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Our solution supports on-the-move communication and information sharing with vehicles and other platforms for improved intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and enhanced combat readiness."

Lockheed Martin's TDA allows dismounted Soldiers to maintain secure communications and exchange vital position and situational awareness data with mounted forces in an operational environment. Its intuitive user interface supports shared full motion video and sensor command and control. Unlike similar commercial technology, the TDA's ruggedized design can withstand harsh operational environments.

The TDA interfaces with both fielded US Army Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) and emerging Joint Battle Command-Platform systems. An open architecture provides flexibility for future growth, including new applications and increased memory requirements. Lockheed Martin is developing numerous applications for the TDA to support battlefield challenges. The TDA is compatible with current FBCB2 software and provides the flexibility to host the Google Android operating system.

The TDA builds on the company's experience with ground Soldier technologies, including the Common Controller Device, TacScene, and industry-leading production programs like the Apache M-TADS/PNVS.

Source: Lockheed Martin