Innovative concepts: $11.8m for army aviation tactical modem/router.

U.S. Army Aviation purchased 308 IDM V304 from Innovative Concepts, Inc., a provider of IDM Technology development, for deployment to both US and foreign aviation units. The IDM V304 is a lightweight, six-channel tactical modem/router in SEM-E-form providing digital connectivity between and among airborne and ground platforms using existing radios and crypto equipment. The IDM V304 will provide the critical data link required between ground and Army Aviation units. It also provides the vital air-to-air transmission of target data between IDM V304-equipped attack aircraft. This air-to-air data communications allows the flight leader to assign individual targets to members of the flight as well as to collect and assess battle damage reports.

In addition, the IDM V304 delivers Tactical Internet capabilities directly to the cockpit. The Tactical Internet, implemented via IDM Technology, permits rapid, accurate target engagement, efficient fire support synchronization, and a significant reduction in the potential for friendly fire incidents. By adopting digital data transfer, situational awareness is enhanced because friendly unit location information can be automatically updated and displayed to all units. This ensures commanders are confident and understand what is happening in the battle space in real-time.

The IDM V304 is not only fully compatible with the Tactical Internet; it can also transmit and receive the full spectrum of Joint Variable Message Format (JVMF) messages and interconnects the military's major networks in both maneuver and fire support. The IDM V304 also provides critical linkage to the military's legacy data communications systems of AFAPD, TACFIRE, MTS and IDL.

The U.S. Army was quick to recognize the advantages of eliminating the need of voice commands in tactical missions and has designated IDM Technology for installation on every helicopter in the Army inventory, including the Apache Longbow, Kiowa Warrior, Chinook, and Blackhawk. The new RAH-66 Comanche will receive a software-only version of IDM Technology for use in its Integrated Communications and Navigation system (ICNIA). IDM Technology, and particularly the immediate forerunner to this release, the Innovative Concepts IDM V303, has been successfully employed in Operation Enduring Freedom and in Operation Iraqi Freedom.