DRS Defense Solutions announced that its Intelligence, Communications and Avionics Solutions (ICAS) business unit has successfully tested the man-portable backpack version of its MAGIC (mobile mapping of air and ground intelligence collection) enhanced situational awareness airborne mission networking suite.

BackPack MAGIC uses commercial hand-held display devices to process and display vital situational awareness information at the user’s fingertips via a wireless link to the backpack. By using a proprietary government software suite, it is capable of receiving and transmitting in line-of-sight and beyond-lineof-sight modes of operation. Capabilities include providing RF e-mail, full motion video, IP data, voice networking and secure voice. Packs may be networked in hard-wired or wireless configurations, allowing maximum flexibility.

Weighing 10 kg and enclosed within a commercial softsided canvas backpack, this compact package gives the warfighter enhanced data, voice, intelligence, threat and blue force tracking capability while using popular display devices. All of the display options include night vision imaging system (NVIS) screen filters.

The pack is able to be shouldered and secured within one minute. The system can run for more than eight hours on its self-contained power source as well as draw power from other sources such as aircraft and ground vehicles.

BackPack MAGIC bridges the situational awareness gap of mounted and dismounted troops to collect and share critical voice, intelligence and data-link information during missions such as foreign internal defence (FID), personnel recovery, search and rescue, special operations, as well as operations requiring a low profile. MAGIC, which is expandable, is also available in ground station, vehicle and aircraft configurations.