AGILITY MATTERS
size of the exercise, it was far better for the PEOs to do this work now rather than asking our deployed troops to wrestle with it later.
The network architecture in use at White Sands was significantly more complex than during any previous test the Army has conducted. It comprised roughly 25 terrestrial satellite systems, more than 100 vehicle-mounted networking radios that pass data as well as voice commu- nications, an aerial tier of JTRS radios attached to Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and a commercial 3G network to evaluate smartphones.
The Aerostat blimps used in the NIE carried a four-channel, software- programmable JTRS GMR, as well as two-channel JTRS HMS radios. The Shadow UAS were engineered to carry single-channel JTRS Rifleman Radios. The aerial tier increased the range of the Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW) and Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) waveforms and expanded the over- all network. The software-programmable JTRS radios, which can use encryption to safeguard information, are built to send Internet Protocol packets of data, voice, video, and images via multiple waveforms between static command centers, vehicles on the move, and dismounted individual Soldiers on patrol.
WNW and SRW software performed very well during the NIE, providing reliable,
near-continuous tactical networking dur- ing the six-week event. Feedback from Soldiers indicated that they significantly increased mission effectiveness, particu- larly in maintaining situational awareness at all levels of the chain of command while increasing the range and speed of networking connectivity for all missions. Soldiers were also able to plan and manage JTRS networking waveforms success- fully for the first time in an operationally focused large-scale evaluation using JTRS network manager software. This indicates we are on the right track for delivery of networking capabilities that can be effec- tively employed by deployed Soldiers.
The NIE also illustrated the operational benefits of JCR, the next-generation FBCB2 software that features a faster sat- ellite network, secure data encryption, and advanced mapping kits. Soldiers in combat rely on FBCB2 for situational awareness, viewing blue icons on a computer screen inside their vehicle to locate their team- mates. They can plot improvised explosive devices and enemy locations with red icons on the same computerized topographical map, alerting other friendly units nearby.
Both the speed and accuracy of FBCB2’s satellite network have improved with JCR due to BFT 2, a new satellite infrastruc- ture that can handle significantly more data. This capacity increase allows for more frequent and larger message traffic, and in many cases cuts the system’s refresh rate from minutes to seconds—a welcome
change for users from the 2/1 AD. Soldiers also praised changes to the user interface, saying that JCR is easier to learn and operate than the first FBCB2. JCR is the predecessor to Project Manager FBCB2’s Joint Battle Command-Platform.
THE ULTIMATE TEST After the formal tests in Weeks 1 through 4 of the exercise were complete, the final two weeks featured a capstone event focusing on technical integration and ensuring that different systems could function together seamlessly.
That required PEO Command, Control, and Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T), as the network lead, and PEO Integration, as the overall event lead, to combine network aspects ranging from the voice and mission command architectures to the data products and configurations that “glue” it all together, routing infor- mation to the right individuals at the right time to execute the mission.
The network we built at White Sands pro- vided unprecedented connectivity to our commanders and Soldiers across all eche- lons of the Brigade. Seeing it come together was rewarding and a good reminder of what is at stake in getting this right.
THE NEXT NIE Leveraging the momentum and les- sons learned from the first event, we are immersed in preparations for the second NIE, termed the Network Integrated
RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS MEANS WE CANNOT AFFORD TO VIEW NETWORKED
SYSTEMS AS INDIVIDUAL DEVICES WITH THEIR OWN DISTINCT REQUIREMENTS AND ACQUISITION TIMELINES.
10 Army AL&T Magazine
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