U.S. Army combat vehicles equipped with new AN/VIC-5 (V) vehicular intercom system.

The U.S. Army has begun introduction of a new vehicular intercom system designed  to offer soldiers 21st century communications features inside a variety of vehicles.  A recent milestone decision by the Army’s program executive officer for enterprise  information systems (PEO EIS) gave the go-ahead for procurement of the  Army-Navy/Vehicle Inter Communications 5 system, or AN/VIC-5 (V) designed and  manufactured by joint venture Northrop Grumman and Cobham.

AN/VIC-5’s customizable, mix-and match, modular architecture scales to accommodate virtually any platform requirements. This intuitive, flexible approach allows users to combine system components to provide clear, noise-free communications between crewmembers inside the combat vehicle and externally to dismounted users and combat net radios. Selecting from a variety of standard modules enables system scalability to support vehicle command post operations and tactical operations centers with up to 58 users and 16 combat net radios.

Fast, safe secure and reliable communications are an essential element of mission success on today battlefield. In response to this need, the U.S. Army awarded Northrop Grumman Cobham Intercom LLC (NGCI), a joint venture formed between Northrop Grumman and Cobham, with a five-year, plus five-option-year contract to provide the U.S. Army's next generation vehicular inrtercom; Vehicular Intercommunication System Extended (VIS-X). Subsequently, the U.S. Army established AN/VIC-5(V) as the official nomenclature for VIS-X.

AN/VIC-5 modules are form, fit and function replacements for AN/VIC-3 modules, allowing for module to-module insertion or replacement without changing interconnecting cables. AN/VIC-5 also utilizes existing AN/VIC-3 and LV-2 headsets and mounting hardware to minimize installation and lifecycle support costs. Increased Functionality Through Module Insertion AN/VIC-5 modules offer customers increased functionality compared to the AN/VIC-3 and LV-2. This provides current customers with an easy upgrade path via module insertion for increased functionality and continued support over the system’s life cycle. 

AN/VIC-5 incorporates an Ethernet Interface on all control consoles and operator stations, enhanced micro-processors, increased system memory, multiple CODECs, Gbit Ethernet and software upgradeable modules to provide additional communication capabilities and enable tailored future technology insertion based on the evolving needs of users.