1. Special Operations “ASSAULT COMMUNICATIONS”
75th
Ranger Regiment Light Weight All-Terrain
Vehicle (LT-ATV)
By David E. Theriault, CW2 (ret), (3d Ranger
Battalion, 75th
Ranger Regiment OIF/OEF
veteran), President 4K Solutions, LLC
The 75th Ranger Regiment is a lethal, agile and
flexible force, capable of executing a myriad of
complex, joint special operations missions in
support of U.S. policy and objectives. Today’s
Ranger Regiment is the Army’s premier raiding
force.

2. With complexity came the need for smaller, robust command and control, and communications
capabilities that could be quickly inserted and exfilled onto and off of the Ranger objectives.
Early-on, Ranger Commanders quickly realized that they needed a more robust command and control
communications capability. Early single-channel and tactical satellite (TacSat) systems that came in by
air-drop, helicopter air assault, airland operations or over-land were deemed not sufficient. Signal
leaders and Ranger NCOs worked tirelessly to develop small mobile platforms that could be used for
lighting quick raid operations. These platforms needed to be rugged, easy to operate, dependable,
capable of carrying all of their communications equipment and, most importantly, able to fit onto US Air
Force fixed wing aircraft; C-130’s, C-141’s, C-5’s, (and later, the C-17), as well as US Air Force Special
Operations MH-53 Pavelow Special Operations helicopters and US Army and USMC CH46 and CH47
variant helicopters.
Throughout the 1980’s - 1990’s, and the start of the Global War
on Terror, the Rangers’ primary Assault Communications platform was based on the British Land Rover.
These platforms were customized and fielded to the Regimental Signal Detachment and each of the 3
Ranger Battalions to support secure single-channel FM, UHF and VHF as, well as secure TacSat radios.
Secure Communications could be accomplished on-the-move and halt as well as remoted into buildings
and structures via radio remote systems. The Rangers were instrumental in fielding technologies that
allowed their radio systems to be remoted into the “assault cp circle” or into a building on an objective.
A 3d Ranger BN Signal Ranger Operates radios
through a remote system during a night joint exercise.
Based on initial early deployments into Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, the Rangers
realized they needed an improved communications platform for long-term operations. The Land Rover

3. communications vehicle lacked a robust communications capability and had a tendency to get stuck
when off-road.
In the early 2000’s, Rangers working with BAE Systems developed a custom High Mobility Multipurpose
Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) communications variant that had greater power capacity, additional radio
nets and increased reliability then the Land Rover. The Rangers added secure SINCGARS radios and
multi-band TacSat radios were integrated in communications racks in the cargo area behind the driver
and passenger seats. This vehicle also had High Packet Waveform (HPW) capability which enabled them
to send data files, imagery and text messages throughout the AOR. The HMMWV, though not as
“tactical” for raids, did allow the Rangers to carry more equipment and supplies into combat.
By 2003, Rangers began working on a smaller, more “helicopter
tactical” communications capability. Lessons learned in Afghanistan in regards to the weight restrictions
of the MH-47 in the higher elevations pushed the Rangers to look for a smaller and lighter
communications vehicle. Based on the John Deere Mule, had scaled-down quantities of SINCGARS
Radios, Multi-Band radios with low data capability. The premise behind the Guppy was for a simple
helicopter drive-off communications platform.

4. In 2009, after exhaustive testing, the United States Special
Operations Command (USSOCOM) Selected the Kawasaki Teryx as their new light-weight, rugged and
agile vehicle platform and awarded a $28.3m contract for over 1,623 Teryx® vehicles for fielding across
USSOCOM forces.
USSOCOM had recently retired the MH-53 fleet and the replacement MV-22 Tilt-Rotor helicopters were
coming online across the Air Force Special Operations Command. This aircraft platform has a smaller
cargo area and steep ramp which precludes the use of Ranger HMMVW’s.
In 2011, the Ranger Regiment’s RS8 Force Modernization C4I NCOIC, was tasked to develop an in-house
plan to modernize the Regiment’s Teryx’s vehicles. The Teryx, known as the LT-ATV, was originally
intended for medical casualty evacuation, with each cargo bed area configured with stretcher

5. stanchions. The RS8 Force Modernization NCOIC had to work “around” the stretcher stanchions without
impacting the Commander’s ability to evacuate casualties, while at the same time installing a robust
Command, Control, Communications ISR capability.
We (4K Solutions, LLC), had an existing contract for tactical communications power solutions already in-
place that was to be placed in the LT-ATV. As the LT-ATV morphed in scope and capabilities, we met with
the customer and Ferno Military Systems, located in Alpharetta, GA. Ferno Military Systems has had a
long relationship with USSOCOM forces, DOD, and other US government agencies requiring rapid
transitions from “concept” to “reality”, involving, design, prototyping, testing, and production. Ferno
Military Systems was contracted to design the mounting solution using components from their Standard
Series (IMS) Integrated Mounting System. The key to the design solution is that it allows the Rangers to
rapidly install and deploy, or remove and relocate the antenna systems and other communications
equipment on the vehicle platform. Ferno Military Systems designed and manufactured the front
bumper mounting tray for the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), removable telescoping poles for X-
wing antennas’, removable LOS antenna mounts, monitor mounts, and a custom mounting plate located
on the roof of the LT-ATV.

6. The LT-ATV required a robust dc battery power solution to run the VSAT terminal, baseband equipment
and single-channel TacSat radios. Working with the various team members, we chose deep cell marine
batteries that Ferno mounted in the cargo bed using custom battery mounting plates. Based on success
in the US Army we selected a robust power supply solution. Ferno Military Systems fabricated and
installed a quick change floor mount located between the driver and the passenger locations. The team
at Ferno Military Systems had to react quickly and creatively in order to get all the “pieces of the puzzle
to fit” in a short period of time.
While all of this was happening in Georgia, the DC power distribution system was being rapidly
designed, tested and shipped down to Georgia. The robust power distribution system, when combined
with the robust power supply system handles the high amperage requirements of the VSAT terminal and
all the onboard communications systems. The Rangers are seeing 3-5 hours of battery run time before
they must recharge the batteries. The small alternator of the Teryx prevented them from utilizing it to
recharge the large marine deep cell batteries.

7. Additional capabilities were added to support ISR Full Motion Video feeds. A weatherproofed 21” LCD
was custom mounted on the rear of the LT-ATV to allow key staff to view live ISR feeds being fed over
the Rover 6 ISR receiver.
Custom mounted ISR Video LCD mounted on the
LT-ATV to view Rover6 video feeds.
A custom front mount tray capable of supporting a fully deployed VSAT terminal was designed and
fielded across all of the vehicles.
The MV-22 Osprey’s small cargo area and steep ramp prevented the LT-ATV from maintaining its organic
roof. Ferno designed a quick release solution to allow the LT-ATV to be quickly removed and installed
with break-down pins. The Rangers are able to leverage the added “real-estate” of the roof using
custom mounting plates for LOS and TacSat antennas.

8. The Ranger Regiment continues to adapt their fighting
methodologies, tactics and techniques to face challenges around the globe. The Regimental
Communications leadership’s adaptive approach allows them to be flexible to emerging requirements
and is leaning forward in developing their next generation tactical mobile communications capabilities.
Our two companies have been privileged to work on this project and look forward to supporting our
customers in the future.
Ranger Battalion Signal Officer sending secure message traffic, on the Ranger
LT-ATV, over a TacSat radio.
About the author
David E. Theriault, Chief Warrant Officer 2 U.S. Army Retired, President and Founder of 4K Solutions,
LLC, is the former Automated Information Systems Officer, 3d Ranger BN who has deployed on 6 Ranger
combat rotations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served in
Special Operations units for almost 19 years.

9. About 4K Solutions, LLC
4K Solutions, LLC (www.4ksolutions.com), headquartered in Midland, Georgia brings over 20 years of
Special Operations Communications leadership experience delivering direct critical communications
support and consul on some of the most demanding "no-fail combat missions in the world. 4K Solutions
specializes in providing Solutions Architecting, Value-Added Reseller, Business Development, IT Training
and Professional Services, delivering key solutions, technologies and consulting that help you get your
job done. Strength areas include Information Assurance and Tactical/Crisis Communications.
Headquartered in Midland, Georgia, 4K is a certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
(SDVOSB), and combat veteran of OEF and OIF.
About Ferno Military Systems
Ferno Military Systems, Inc (www.fernomilitarysystems.com), headquartered in Alpharetta, GA Ferno is
recognized as the global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of emergency patient-handling
equipment, custom military and special operations and mortuary products and exports to more than 75
countries. For more information about Ferno please visit www.fernomilitarysystems.com.
4K Solutions, LLC
11255 Rambling Trail
Midland, GA 31820
Sales @4ksolutions.com
(706) 593-9070
Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
All photographers and copy is the property of David E. Theriault and 4K Solutions, LLC
All Rights Reserved
Copyright David E. Theriault & 4K Solutions, LLC, 2013