Published on Saturday, November 10, 2007

A staff report

Fayetteville’s Partnership for Defense Innovation’s WiFi Test Lab will receive $2.7 million in federal funding, Rep. Robin Hayes announced Friday.

The new funding is provided through the 2008 Defense Appropriations bill, which is on its way to the president’s desk for signature.

Hayes said in a statement that the funding will help the lab with defense-related research in wireless battlefield networks.

“Supporting defense research creates improved equipment for our military but it also creates jobs and opportunities for Fayetteville, area businesses, and the surrounding communities,” said Hayes, a Republican from Concord. “Most importantly, this research has immense implications for our soldiers communicating in the battlefield.”

Scott Perry, president of the Partnership for Defense Innovation, said: “This federal funding secured by Congressman Hayes will foster collaboration between PDI and the military in the development of Command and Control systems.”

WiFi networks provide a direct link for video, still imagery and sensor information from unmanned or manned platforms through lightweight transceiver units.

The systems enable sharing of information among soldiers within the WiFi network. The system enables the ground force to immediately share critical imagery or information developed during tactical operations.