Fortress Wins Contract to Provide Secure Wireless to Navy Supply Ships




Company Supports Shipboard Warehouse Maintenance System under T-AKE Program

TAMPA, Fla. -/November 28, 2006 - Wi-Fi Technology News/- Fortress Technologies, a leading provider of secure wireless networking, announced that it has been awarded a contract by General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), to implement secure wireless communications on the next generation replenishment ships under the U.S Navy?s Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ship (T-AKE) program. This contract serves as one of the first major wireless awards since the Navy lifted its ban on wireless networking.

General Dynamics NASSCO currently is under contract to the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to build eight T-AKE class ships. Each T-AKE ship is 689 feet long and has a capacity for about 6,700 metric tons of dry cargo weight and approximately 2,400 metric tons of fuel. These ships are designed to provide ammunition, food, fuel, repair parts and other necessities to ships at sea. The ships will contribute to the Navy?s ability to maintain a forward presence. The lead ship, USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) was delivered to the U.S. Navy?s Military Sealift Command last June.

The T-AKE ships will be equipped with a first-of-its-kind, commercially-based warehouse management system, known as the Shipboard Warehouse Management System (SWMS), provided by HK Systems of New Berlin, Wis.

?The ability to track and manage cargo efficiently is a major concentration for the T-AKE program ? SWMS is a key part of the overall solution.? said John Dow, VP of Marketing and Business Development for Fortress. ?NAVSEA needed to modify SWMS to meet new wireless security requirements. They required a solution that would not only allow the tracking of information securely, but also permit the transmission of data wirelessly while at sea or in port. Fortress provided NAVSEA the most comprehensive solution and has begun the implementation process.?

Fortress is providing its Security Gateways and Secure Clients to enable a secure wireless link between SWMS and its end users. These solutions maintain Defense Information Systems Agency?s (DISA) Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) and National Institute of Standards and Technology?s (NIST) FIPS 140-2 certifications.

?Fortress is committed to supporting the U.S. Navy in its efforts to maintain a forward presence and protect our nation,? said Dana Kuntz, Vice President of Federal Sales. ?The T-AKE program is just one example of how Fortress is working with the Navy. We are pleased that the Navy has entrusted us on a number of its secure wireless initiatives and look forward to continuing our work with T-AKE.?

The T-AKE program is one of numerous Navy projects in which Fortress is involved, including flight line maintenance and ship-to-shore implementations.



About Fortress Technologies

Fortress Technologies provides market leading solutions that help government and commercial customers worldwide implement wireless technologies confidently, securely and simply. Rigorously tested and proven for high security assurance, Fortress? interoperable solutions protect all wireless transports including Wi-Fi (802.11), WiMAX (802.16), free space optics (FSO), Military RF and satellite. Securing over 12,000 wireless government networks, Fortress specializes in deployable networking, mobile edge applications, fixed wireless and office wireless LANs. Fortress has won numerous awards including Federal Computer Week?s ?10 Hot Companies to Watch,? Venture Reporter?s ?20 Venture-backed Wireless Firms Most Likely to Succeed? and SC Magazine?s ?Reader?s Trust Award? two years in a row.



For more information, visit http://www.fortresstech.com or call 813-288-7388.