GROUND WAVELENGTHS AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
(Left) The JTRS GMR. (U.S. Army photo.) (Right) Soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division participated in a mock key leader engagement (KLE) during the Network Integration Evaluation at White Sands Missile Range, NM. Opposing forces, or “Red,” Soldiers played the role of local villagers, while “Blue” forces Soldiers sought to develop a friendship with locals. KLEs have helped commanders and diplomats alike in furthering their objectives. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Latoya Wiggins.)
inside the TOC, was sent using Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Ground Mobile Radio (GMR), a four-channel, multi-waveform, software-programmable radio that can transmit voice, data, images, and video across the force in real time.
Using a high-bandwidth waveform called Wideband Networking Waveform, which draws from a larger part of the available spectrum than legacy waveforms to move information farther, faster, and more efficiently, the GMR transmitted and received the data through a mobile com- mand post set up inside a Caiman Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle.
In the case of GMR and some of the other systems that were tested and evalu- ated, the Army is assessing the technology in its current configuration, as well as exploring additional hardware and soft- ware solutions that might perform the same or similar functions more efficiently or effectively.
The display screen in the TOC used Force Battle Command Brigade and Below force-tracking technology, augmented
by new software that also was evaluated, called Joint Capabilities Release.
INSIDE ‘AFGHANISTAN’ Mock enemies, or “Red” forces, were dis- persed through the countryside, placed in caves, “villages,” and other strategic locations with the mission to challenge, attack, and disrupt the U.S., or “Blue,” forces set up at various locations across White Sands.
The mock villages included Afghan-style tribal leaders who participated in “key leader engagements” with U.S. forces to replicate realistic counterinsurgency scenar- ios. The village even had a mock Taliban shadow government similar to those in the- ater, said LTC Matthew Fath, Commander, 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment.
Blue forces stationed at the “mountain village” outpost performed the typical variety of combat missions during the NIE, including route clearance, recon- naissance, scout missions, interdiction, time-sensitive raids on the enemy, and efforts to neutralize improvised explosive devices, Fath said.
MOVING FORWARD To begin evaluating which systems to include in subsequent exercises, the Army has sent three “Sources Sought” requests to industry, asking for proposed techno- logical solutions to numerous identified networking capability gaps. So far, Pro- gram Executive Office Integration is assessing more than 70 white papers submitted by industry in response, said spokesman Paul Mehney.
“We are beginning an assessment of the white papers to match them up to known requirements and assess whether the capa- bility is technically mature. We are also taking a look at the integration require- ments. Can this capability integrate into the hardware and software infrastructures we are working with?” Mehney said.
KRIS OSBORN is a Highly Qualified Expert for the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology Office of Strategic Communications. He holds a B.A. in English and political science from Kenyon College and an M.A. in com- parative literature from Columbia University.
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ACQUISITION
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