Raytheon unveils first responder system

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MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. public safety officials are being introduced to a new mobile communications application for laptops, smartphones and tablets.

Raytheon said the application, being demonstrated at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials annual conference, is part of its Interoperability Communications suite, in which laptops, smartphones and tablets function as "virtual radios."

"This versatile mobile application allows first responders to communicate over the data network when they are out of LMR (land mobile radio) coverage range or when a redundant form of voice communication is needed," said TJ Kennedy, director of Public Safety and Security for Raytheon's Network Centric Systems business.

"Responding officers can now establish direct voice communications with officials and experts who aren't on the public safety radio system, thereby providing valuable, real-time collaboration."

Raytheon's said the application allows media control server operators to control and dispatch to the system via a touch-screen-capable, Web-based user interface. Users can directly initiate conversations between one another or utilize operator assistance to tie into radio links.