Fortress Technologies Successfully Demonstrates Portable RFID System During Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise
Solution Provides U.S., Coalition Forces With Secure Wireless and a Transportable Backbone for Mobile Active RFID Readers
TAMPA, FL--(Marketwire - September 18, 2007) - Fortress Technologies, a leading provider of
security and secure wireless solutions, today announced that it
successfully demonstrated a secure, wireless backbone as part of a
deployable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) "kit" during a III Marine
Expeditionary Force exercise in Gladstone Port, Australia. The exercise,
which included military units from both the United States and its Coalition
partners, provides simulated real-life scenarios in order to test in an
operational environment. The "kit" provides a secure transportable
backbone and wireless access for mobile RFID readers.
"The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) is consistently looking for innovative
technologies that help them to more efficiently conduct their
forward-deployed missions," said Dennis O'Leary, a Senior Systems Engineer
with Skylla Engineering Ltd. "The III Marine Expeditionary Force exercise
provided an outstanding opportunity to demonstrate an easy-to-operate and
secure deployable wireless capability. The ability to automate flow
tracking within a congested port area by tying new technologies into
current USMC logistics systems provides tremendous benefit in maintaining
the Commander's situational and operational awareness, as well as frees up
significant man-hours currently used in tracking and recording." O'Leary
is a contractor that is supporting the Marine Corps Systems Command in
Quantico, Virginia.
As tested, the "kits" contain ES520 Secure Wireless Access Bridges, Secure
Client Bridges, Client Software and antennas from Fortress, as well as
signpost RFID readers and portable tripods from Savi Technology, Inc. The
portability of the "kits" enables them to be stowed onboard ships and then
deployed at temporary ports and/or staging areas. Providing
easy-to-establish secure wireless active RFID checkpoints, these "kits"
offer the capability to scan and record vital location information on cargo
as it is moved between various staging lots and loaded/unloaded from
transport vehicles.
"Fortress set out with the goal of developing a high-end, portable, secure
RFID 'kit' that would enable the III Marine Expeditionary Force to deploy
anywhere at anytime," said Dana Kuntz, Vice President, Federal Sales,
Fortress. "As a result of the exercise, we were able to prove that this
configuration met our stated objectives. We appreciate the assistance of
the III Marine Expeditionary Force and look forward to working with them on
future implementations."
Based in Okinawa, Japan, the III Marine Expeditionary Force is a
forward-deployed Air-Ground-Logistics-Base team that maintains missions
ranging from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to amphibious
assault and high intensity combat. As part of its readiness preparation,
the III Marine Expeditionary Force conducts exercises throughout the year
to test and evaluate mission-critical technologies and solutions. This
particular exercise was conducted during June and July 2007 and involved
over 15,000 U.S. and Coalition troops.
About Fortress Technologies
Fortress Technologies designs, develops and manufactures market leading
security and secure wireless solutions for mission-critical communications.
Rigorously tested and proven, Fortress products provide government and
commercial customers a flexible, single security solution regardless of
network infrastructure as well as industry leading secure wireless
products. Fortress' FIPS validated solutions work across fixed, portable
and mobile environments -- from the tactical edge to municipal networks.
Fortress enables immediate "on demand" secure voice, video and data
communications virtually anywhere and across all wireless transports
including Wi-Fi (802.11), WiMAX (802.16), free space optics (FSO), Military
RF and satellite. Fortress products are currently deployed in some of the
world's most demanding environments, supporting vital operations that range
from maintaining a forward presence to border protection to emergency
response.
For more information, visit www.fortresstech.com or call 813-288-7388.
Contact Information: Contact:
Chris Whalen
Fortress Technologies
813-288-7388
A.J. Guenther
ConnellyWorks, Inc.
703-742-7184