Tactical SUVs Gain ‘Always-On’ Connectivity

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A new collaboration has created ‘always-connected’ tactical SUVs for the likes of first responders and law enforcement. Microsoft has partnered with satellite connectivity firm Kymeta to develop the new communications solution.

The two companies modified two Chevrolet SUVs for their demonstration: a Chevrolet Suburban Tactical Vehicle, and a Chevrolet Tahoe Advanced Patrol Vehicle. They demonstrated that Microsoft’s Azure cloud-based services can be locally replicated in a deployed environment such as a patrol vehicle, firehouse or command post, and can significantly enhance the capabilities of first responders and defense users, especially when using drones, robots, and IoT devices, reports iottechnews.com.

Scott Montgomery, Senior Industry Solution Manager at Microsoft, said: “This is a huge leap forward provided by the combined Microsoft-Kymeta solution, using Kymeta’s advanced flat-panel satellite antenna technology to enable reliable mobile communications, in a way that has never been done before.”

Both of the vehicles feature Kymeta’s KyWay satellite terminal and integrate tightly with Microsoft’s software, hardware, and services. KyWay mobile satellite terminals are designed for land, sea, and air applications – from connected vehicles and trains to ships and construction vehicles. The terminals offer easy-to-use mobile connectivity with broadband-level performance, according to the company website. Kymeta said their ability to move communications, video, audio, and other sensor data to the Azure cloud, via their satellite terminals, provides an always-connected experience, regardless of how remote the location, or how congested or unavailable a terrestrial cellular network may become. “This represents a significant advancement in operational tactics, situational awareness and command and control, enabled by Kymeta’s revolutionary KyWay satellite terminal and Microsoft Azure at the edge.”