US Army to Purchase Network Integration Kits

Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter has given approval to purchase one more brigade set of network integration kits (NIK) and two more sets of the small unmanned ground vehicle.

The US Army could purchase 83 NIKs as per the original plan for each brigade and 38 per brigade for the small unmanned ground vehicle.

The NIK is an integrated suite of communications equipment that includes the integrated computer system and the ground mobile radio as part of the joint tactical radio system.

The gear provides increased situational awareness and communications to the warfighter through a multifunctional, mobile ad-hoc networking and secure tactical computing capability.

The brigade set of NIKs may serve as a bridge till a replacement is decided that better suits the US Army's needs, according to ArmyTimes.