Rapid-deploy comms platform combines Persistent Systems mobile ad hoc network and industry partner technologies to enable voice, video, internet and chat in storm-affected areas.

NEW YORK, New York- Persistent Systems, LLC (“Persistent”) a leader in mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) solutions, announced today that it demonstrated in November how the rapidly deployable All-Domain Network could enable U.S. National Guard humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations—even if a hurricane had knocked out local communications infrastructure, such as cell phone towers and internet service.

The field demonstration, which was conducted with industry partners Klas Government, NexTech Solutions, and Tampa Microwave for undisclosed state Army and Air Force National Guard units, serves as a follow-up to a tabletop exercise conducted in May.

“We are starting to see—especially those of us living in coastal areas—increasingly powerful storms coming with increasing frequency,” said Adrien Robenhymer, Persistent Systems VP for Business Development, “These storms not only threaten human life; they also take out communications, making it difficult for state governments to coordinate relief efforts.”

That is why backup, field-deployable communications systems are so critical. In the wake of a devastating storm, the All-Domain Network (previously called the Emergency Response Integrated Edge Network) provides a unified communications network to allow National Guard units to establish, or reestablish, internet, radio, video, and messaging capabilities.

The field demonstration, which aimed to prove this out, had the state’s National Guard units set up the All-Domain Network (contained within a Tactical Radio Integration Kit, or TRIK, from Klas Government and supported with the NexTech Solutions MANTLE automated deployment software) at a local base acting as the central Emergency Management Division.

Meanwhile, users in the field, acting as rescue teams, employed Persistent Systems MPU5 MANET radios and Tampa Microwave satellite terminals.

“The All-Domain Network connected ground vehicles, dismounted rescuers, helicopters and U.S. Civil Air Patrol Cessna aircraft,” said Chris Wallower, a Sales Engineer for Persistent Systems. “There was seamless communication between all the parties and total situational awareness at the Emergency Management Division.”

Persistent Systems has powered similar lean, over-the-horizon communications networks with the U.S. Air Force and its Civil Air Patrol (namely, the Airborne Extensible Relay Over-Horizon Network (AERONet)). Likewise, during a Michigan demonstration, it helped land four Air National Guard A-10 Thunderbolt II and two Air Force Special Operations Command C-146 Wolfhound aircraft on a U.S. highway.

“It was the first time anyone has ever done so in U.S. history,” said Robenhymer, “and it demonstrates the ability of Persistent to deliver an agile and reliable communications capability to operators in austere or emergency conditions.”

About Persistent Systems, LLC
Headquartered in New York City since 2007, Persistent Systems, LLC is a global communications technology company that develops and manufactures a patented and secure Mobile Ad hoc Networking (MANET) system: Wave Relay®. Wave Relay® transmits and receives data, video, voice and other applications under the most difficult conditions. Their suite of products is utilized in Commercial, Military, Government, Industrial, Agriculture, Robotics, and Unmanned Systems markets. Please visit https://www.persistentsystems.com to learn more. Follow Persistent Systems on Twitter to get updates on the latest developments @pswaverelay.