InfraLynx Comes to Maine

The Tactical Technologies Development Lab (TTDL), part of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in the Office of Naval Research, brought one of its InfraLynx Hummers to Maine in mid-October, along with a specially equipped SUV, and a transport vehicle. The InfraLynx project at TTDL is headed by Chris Herndon, and several InfraLynx vehicles are now in production. Eventually, these vehicles will be placed in 10 sites across the country to allow for rapid response if necessary. Thus far, three cities have InfraLynx on hand.

InfraLynx is a combination infrastructure restoration vehicle and mobile

communications platform. It adds considerable depth to any form of incident management. Described as command and control on steroids, it consists of an interoperable communications module with the ability to tap satellite, wireless and cellular links. The InfraLynx payload can be retrofitted into existing mobile command posts.

During its visit to Maine, InfraLynx was demonstrated at the Portland Fire

Station, and Camp Keyes in Augusta before moving on to West Rockport where it stood by during a weapons of mass destruction (WMD) exercise on October 19, 2002,  conducted by the 11th CIvil Support Team (CST) for the Knox County Emergency Management Agency. InfraLynx departed Maine, and headed for Chicago where it participated in a three-day exercise at O'Hare Airport.