Mutualink has announced the availability of a new mobile operations fusion kit (OFK) for use by military personnel, coalition partners and first responders in the field. The kit, known as OFK 2.0, enables users to connect anywhere and anytime with the most flexible, agile, and secure communications and interoperability "go kit" available on the market today. It enables secure voice, full-motion video and information sharing on a global, real-time basis.

The OFK 2.0 is a complete multimedia communications system bundled into a compact, lightweight, waterproof, ruggedized carrying case. The kit is equipped with a military-standard 810G multimedia portable laptop (with microphone and speaker headset), an on-board rechargeable power supply, and connectivity for up to four different radios and communications assets in the field.

Equipped with a MIMO mesh radio, OFK kits can be automatically linked together and provide robust broadband data connectivity with speeds as much as 40 Mbps over distances up to 5KM, enabling secure in field broadband device access.

With multiband broadband access capabilities and advanced simultaneous access bonding, the OFK can utilize any available broadband wireless data connectivity for backhaul, including on board 4G LTE and 3G cellular mobile, MIMO ISM band and WiFi connectivity, as well as portable satellite and terrestrial connectivity access.

OFK can be used to support either a fully-meshed collaboration or an autonomous fielded operation by way of an independent and covert enclave. Easily deployed in minutes, the OFK is an instant Operations Center providing full situational awareness with multiple radio net connectivity, in and out video and ISR sharing, and information sharing.

The OFK utilizes a flexible power system capable of both AC and DC power inputs with an advanced rechargeable battery. It has been successfully tested and used with portable solar panel kits providing additional resiliency and usability under austere power conditions.

Mutualink's mobile operations fusion kit will be incorporated into the 2014 Joint Users Interoperability Communications Exercise (JUICE), taking place June 16-27 at the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland. Throughout the exercises, OFK 2.0 will continue to undergo intensive testing and development of operational procedures in support of the warfighter and first responder.

Over the past year a prototype of the mobile operations fusion kit was evaluated, tested and used by field operators and commanders in the US, Canada, Italy, Poland, and Colombia. Feedback from these real-world experiences directly impacted the development of the OFK 2.0. Key features and benefits include:

+ Highly-secure collaboration - all communications are protected by triple redundant AES-256 encryption.

+ Easy to use - no in-field integration is needed; the kit is plug-and play and has an intuitive drag-and-drop user interface.

+ Network agnostic - easily and quickly establish a connection to other users regardless of the available connectivity (3G/4G, WiFi, Ethernet, satellite, IP radio, microwave, Troposcatter, etc.).

+ Affordable - the customer is able to leverage and integrate legacy and newly-acquired systems at an extremely competitive price.

"Mutualink is delivering unmatched interoperability and full spectrum situational awareness in and from the field for the military, coalition partners, and first responders for about the same cost as a pair of high-end military radios," said Joe Mazzarella, Senior Vice President at Mutualink.

"We listened to our customers and built a product that completely satisfies their mission requirements. With this technology, dismounted soldiers and field operators connect and collaborate - as and when needed - in a sovereign, secure manner. With this capability, field sensors and surveillance platforms can be integrated and shared with C2 points, and other partner and remote surveillance and information support views can be delivered to the field. With seamless on-demand radio net, telephone and mobile phone interoperability, its uses are virtually unlimited. "

"During a stressful situation like combat or civil emergency, the soldier and first responder need to quickly and effectively interpret and share information. Mutualink designed the OFK 2.0 with that in mind," said retired Air Force Colonel Sonny Blinkinsop, Director of Mutualink Defense Services.

"This is the most complete and capable interoperability kit available on the market - bar none. It is mobile, chalk-full of capability, easy to use, and truly plug-and-play ready."