Defense Innovation Unit; U.S. Coast Guard partner to leverage commercial technology to provide seamless, wireless operational communications
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA (December 2, 2024) - From operating in the air to maneuvering on the ground and on the water, communicating is a critical part of mission success and personnel safety for crews around the globe. The Defense Innovation Unit’s Wireless Crew project is driving effective commercial industry and end-user collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard – through, prototyping and testing – to deliver practical, integrated wireless communication capabilities in diverse operational environments.
Previously constrained by hard-wired configurations and limited radio connection points, a new hands-free capability developed by Denmark-based advanced communication and hearing protection company INVISIO provides users with an untethered and easily configurable communication solution. Following a solicitation posted in June 2022, as part of DIU’s Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process, INVISIO received a prototype OT to develop a wireless communication solution for maritime operations.
Through the DIU Wireless Crew project, the communications hardware was developed alongside users, consistently receiving iterative and incremental feedback from multiple operational uses and challenges, ultimately assisting with prototype maturation and use cases across a variety of U.S. Government needs. The agility and iterative nature of DIU’s collaborative prototyping process ensures mission partners have the right product, at an affordable cost, in a timely manner while being acquired via a flexible acquisition method that greatly simplifies the production and scaling of the final capability.
"The boat crew’s communication system will ensure clear and reliable communication under extreme conditions, enhancing situational awareness, operational efficiency, and crew safety during challenging missions," said U.S. Coast Guard Operations Specialist Chief Petty Officer Eric Wells.
The final operational test and evaluation of the wireless crew solution was completed in Portsmouth, Virginia the first week of November. During this operational test, the wireless crew solution was evaluated in a wide variety of real-world and training scenarios including maritime law enforcement, port and waterways security, and search and rescue missions proving its multi-mission functionality.
"With its easy to use interface, lack of bulky cords, and excellent battery life, the equipment will provide sustained communication excellence to crews for the foreseeable future," said U.S. Coast Guard Boatswain’s Mate Chief Petty Officer William Campbell.
Throughout the Wireless Crew project, DIU validated its 'customer collaboration' concept, which is central to an effective prototyping process. DIU is also demonstrating that involving government stakeholders in the scoping phase of a prototype effort results in both a clearly defined demand and the better ability to deliver a product ready to ramp-up and achieve full scale production.