NEW HORIZONS
advantage. In support of JADC2, the Army plans to deliver network transport and data management solutions to enable the flow of critical situational awareness and sensor data, and thus connect sensors (such as aircraft, radar and Soldier-wear- able devices) to shooter (the weapon systems that attack targets) all the way down to the dismounted Soldier. New LEO and MEO systems could deliver the needed improvements in network latency, capacity and resiliency to enable the convergence of mission command, fires, sustainment and intelligence data, and to push all of that aggregated data from the Army’s common operating environment to the JADC2 network.
PHASED DEPLOYMENT As part of its network modernization strategy, the Army is delivering phased capability enhancements on a two-year basis, beginning with Capability Set 21 in fiscal year 2021 to select infantry forma- tions, and then including Stryker and armored formations beginning with Capa- bility Set 23 and beyond. Te Army will build on lessons learned from the develop- ment and fielding of each capability set, including work being done with new and evolving satellite capabilities.
Te Army plans to leverage a mix of multi- ple military and commercial satellite constellations to support its overall satel- lite network communications architecture. Te service will continue to leverage GEO satellites currently in use, and add capa- bility to leverage emerging constellations. Tese include commercial LEO and MEO mega-constellations; commercial high- throughput satellites; and the extremely resilient Protected Tactical Satellite communications military GEO satellite system in development by the Air Force.
Tis kind of diversity through multiple signal paths provides desirable network redundancy; however, it also increases overall network complexity. Research and development investments, as well as engagements with industry, are under- way to address these and other challenges. Considerations could include the explo- ration of new processes and business methods, such as following a managed service model.
While the Army will leverage spacecraft developed by other government agen- cies and commercial providers—and not build its own satellite communications space network—challenges exist with the
integration of the satellite communications components into the terrestrial network, as well as providing the ground antennas that could support ruggedized on-the-move network capabilities. Just how to integrate some of these solutions with Soldiers and onto platforms is being explored.
Te Army’s multi-constellation strategy will require different ground terminals and eventually integrated multifunctional ground terminals. Today, each GEO, MEO and LEO solution requires its own dedicated antenna, which increases size, weight and power requirements. Te Army is exploring integrated terminals that support multi-orbits and frequency bands, while leveraging the significant compo- nent cost reduction that is anticipated as a result of the commercial deployments. Initially, for Capability Set 23, the Army envisions using a single frequency-band ground terminal supporting one specific constellation. Integrated terminals capable of supporting multiple bands and constel- lations will eventually be developed for future capability sets.
EXPERIMENTATION EFFORTS Te Army’s initial experimentation is focused on testing commercial services
ORBIT TYPES Low earth orbit
Medium earth orbit Geosynchronous earth orbit
ALTITUDE (miles) Up to approx. 1,200
Approx. 1,200 - 22,000 Approx. 22,000
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Army AL&T Magazine
Summer 2020
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