The Pentagon, headquarters for the U.S. Department of Defense. Photo: DOD.

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Persistent Systems, LLC a $25 million contract for its Wave Relay Tactical Assault Kit (WaRTAK) program. The WaRTAK program, which began in 2016, provides Air Force convoys driving in austere environments with reliable multi-domain communications and situational awareness, tying in radio, GPS, cellular, and satellite internet connections. 

This four-year contract will upgrade the Air Force’s WaRTAK with Persistent’s next generation of hardware. Persistent will also provide the program with smart networking devices and a Push-to-Talk (PTT) system designed to allow users to talk on two radio talk groups simultaneously and as an intercom system.

“The scheduled upgrade … will bring a substantial increase in capability and reliability while reducing the size, weight and power on vehicles and dismount users,” said Adrien Robenhymer, vice president of Business Development for Persistent.