Integrated Tactical Technologies (iT2), of San Mateo, California, has been awarded a multi-phase contract from the USA’s Department of Defense (DoD) worth up to $19.4 million, to develop a wearable two-way communication solution to enable the ‘Wireless Soldier.’

The ‘Wireless Soldier’ prototype Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) contract is funding the development of a unique communication system that enables users to communicate discreetly and in tactical operating environments, minimising external components such as antennas and wiring.

Formed in late 2021 when it acquired Sonitus Technologies, iT2 is now a global wearable technologies company marrying advanced fabric and apparel design with miniaturised personal communications technologies to produce a new category of wearable solutions.

These are based on the trademarked Fabric Chassis which features an entirely new human-machine sensory interface. The chassis is compatible with most commercially available wireless devices such as smart phones, tactical communication systems, and software applications. It also features the Molar Mic, a miniature module that snaps comfortably onto a user’s back teeth and enables them to communicate clearly, securely, wirelessly and hands-free with any device in even the harshest conditions and operating environments.

Springboard

“Winning the wireless soldier contract validates our strategy of developing on-body wireless communication and sensing solutions that fill gaps not addressed by conventional wearables,” said Peter Hadrovic, CEO of iT2. “This marks a significant milestone in our mission to extend the utility of apparel beyond mere clothing and will provide a springboard to future government and commercial sales.”

This is the second DIU contract awarded to the team that has developed the product platform over the past four years. iT2 will manufacture Wireless Soldier solutions through its partnership with Bluewater Defense, a provider of apparel and functional fabric solutions specifically designed to enhance human capacity in the most demanding military, industrial and commercial environments.

Bluewater has proven expertise in advanced apparel manufacturing utilising increasingly dynamic fabrics and wearable technologies. Separate from the Wireless Soldier contract, Bluewater is currently providing various DoD projects with production scale quantities of uniforms and other related fabric-based solutions. It is a premier partner in alternative materials research, manufacturing best practices, and sustainability projects with Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) at MIT, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Georgia, Lincoln Labs, and other industry leaders.

www.itact2.com

www.bluewaterdefense.com