ARMY AL&T
Airborne Division. Te system, which features a tethered drone fitted with a 2-Channel Leader radio, extends line-of-sight communications. We built a simulation using high-end computa- tional modeling software, where we simulated the VHA into the unit’s representative operational environments. Te simulations allowed us to adjust the number of VHAs and assess whether Soldiers were able to maintain connectivity among the radios. Te analysis provided senior leaders with a high confidence level in providing the capability required even with decreasing the number of VHAs fielded to the unit, resulting in significant cost savings to the Army. Te unit operated the VHA over more than two years and agreed that our assessment was consistent with their observed real-world operational experience.
We currently use digital engineering on a daily basis to conduct integration testing. Prior to fielding new software, we perform integration testing that includes the impacts of tactical commu- nications and networking. We integrate with Project Manager Tactical Network Emulation Testbed, which provides a digi- tal representation of the network. Implementing these digital engineering capabilities significantly reduces the physical size and complexity of our integration environments, which not only allows us to utilize the expertise that resides in the individual project manager organizations and not have to duplicate that expertise in other organizations, but also reduces the length and focus of field testing.
Examples like these demonstrate how the acquisition community works with the operational community using digital engineer- ing to come up with a scenario for informed decision-making.
Bailey: Is the information derived from the PEO C3T digi- tal engineering approach available outside of the organization?
Young: Yes. Since we’re fielding technologies that many systems have to connect to, this gives us tools in order to share infor- mation outside of our community, such as with the Army’s cross-functional teams and the joint community to aid in joint all-domain command-and-control decision-making. One exam- ple of this was to release a model of a barrage relay radio to the greater DOD community. It is being used by the aviation community in testing out Future Vertical Lift concepts.
Bailey:Will you adapt your digital engineering models to meet the current effort to unify the enterprise and tactical networks?
Young: Yes, digital engineering will be even more valuable as we move towards the Army’s unified network plan. Currently, we
https://asc.ar my.mil 61
have many discrete individual component models that, like the networks, must come together to support one network design. We are already working across PEO C3T and PEO [Enterprise Information Systems] teams, where there are ongoing commu- nications among the project manager organizations in the areas of software-defined networking and cloud concepts.
Bailey: What are the next steps for your organization’s digital engineering efforts?
Young: As we refine our collection of tools, we will be able to tackle even more complex decisions, such as the current decision facing the Army to relegate all systems at battalion and below at the Sensitive But Unclassified ‒ Encrypted, or SBU-E, classifi- cation level. Te digital engineering tools could provide a visual to compare a unit’s capabilities operating under SECRET versus SBU-E. We are currently piloting this integrated solution, but for now, we are applying digital engineering across a variety of disparate tools and information sources to help with this deci- sion. However, in the not-too-distant future, we see a digital engineering solution that will take days, versus weeks, to aid with operational environment-wide decisions such as these.
Bailey: In summary, what do you feel are the top benefits to incorporating digital engineering into the system development process?
Young: Digital engineering is a very effective method to make more informed decisions, whether technical or programmatic. Working across all disciplines provides us with the overall confi- dence in the accuracy and quality of the data, improved analysis of capabilities and systems, and the tools to rapidly trace the deci- sion-making path to fielding. Ultimately, our goal is to rapidly and accurately field the most modern systems to our Soldiers as we prepare for the Army 2030 and beyond.
For more information, email
pao-peoc3t@army.mil or go to
www.peoc3t.army.mil.
KATHRYN BAILEY is a public communications specialist for Bowhead Business and Technologies Solutions, assigned to PEO C3T, where she covers network modernization initiatives across the entire portfolio. She holds a B.A. in communication studies from the University of Maryland University College.
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