SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY


since implemented a new system-of- systems training curriculum for Soldiers in BCTs receiving the follow-on CS 14, who have more time to train because they don’t face imminent deployment.


More importantly, however, users strug- gled with aspects of CS 13 because the network was not intuitive to use. Sys- tems required too many commands entered through too many menus. Con- figuration changes could not be made automatically, requiring significant field support.


We saw the greatest success with systems like Nett Warrior, based on an Android smartphone, and Joint Capabilities Release (JCR), with its chat room func- tionality. Tose systems provide the same seamless, naturally collaborative experi- ence as the devices Soldiers use in their everyday lives. As users picked them up with minimal training—and constantly brainstormed new tactical uses as they took them to the field—the direction we needed to take became very clear. Soldier feedback from the semiannual NIEs and insights from the NCR, led by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), have reinforced the same theme: Te network must be easier to use, train, maintain and sustain, so that it functions as a holistic weapon system that is tailorable and scalable to meet the needs of our innovative force.


MISSION COMMAND ANYTIME, ANYWHERE Te network modernization road map is divided into several focus areas: mission command; advantaged services trans- port (the “upper” tactical network and satellite communications used at higher echelons); basic services transport (the radios and smartphones used at lower echelons); cyber and network opera- tions (NetOps); and physical (power


54 Army AL&T Magazine April–June 2014


MAJOR ADVANCE


Soldiers with the 2nd BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) train at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Fort Polk, LA, in November 2013 using vehicles, left and right, equipped with Warfighter Information Network - Tactical (WIN-T) Increment 2. Some WIN-T Network Operations tools enable communication officers to identify how well systems such as these are actually working on the battlefield, so as units move out in any direction, they can more easily manage the network and keep links connected. (Photo courtesy of JRTC Operations Group Public Affairs)


and platform requirements, and tactical operations center (TOC) footprint).


With respect to mission command, our short-term goal is to complete the Army’s transition from stand-alone mission command systems to an integrated, Web- based environment that delivers powerful warfighting systems as user-friendly “wid- gets,” or apps, merged with the common operating picture of the battlefield. STARNet and NaN then will build on that foundation to deliver a single comput- ing environment (CE) across the tactical formation, from handheld devices to plat- forms to the command post.


Using standardized maps, messaging and icons, the single tactical CE will provide a unified,


Center, PEO C3T is implementing the standards and protocols to make this possible and enable multiple industry partners to participate.


familiar experience—similar


to what a user would have with multiple personal devices that all run an Apple or Windows operating system. Working with the Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering


Tanks to Apple’s Siri, most Americans are familiar with voice-based digital assis- tants that “live” in their smartphones and tablets to answer questions, take notes and memorize tasks. For the Army, infus- ing our tactical systems with voice and gesture recognition capabilities is another critical aspect of modernizing mission command. Imagine a commander who can request information and direct sim- ple tasks by talking to his apps, rather than having staff scroll through multiple systems with separate menus, icons and buttons. Te unit would save significant time during operations and in training.


Tis technology exists today—along with other simplified human-machine inter- faces such as touch screens and gesture recognition capabilities—and we are


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