Updated: 2022
DESCRIPTION
Tactical Network Transport (TNT) delivers a robust network for assured mission command, advanced communications and a comprehensive common operating picture in support of Army, joint, coalition, and civil missions worldwide – both At the Halt (ATH) and On the Move (OTM). As part of the Army’s unified tactical network, TNT establishes a network backbone for robust data, voice, and video exchange, using both high-capacity line-of-sight (radio) and beyond-line-of-sight (satellite/tropospheric) communications nodes to enable operational flexibility, multipath diversity, and resiliency in contested and congested environments. Under a unified network transport design and network management, both TNT-ATH and TNT-OTM keep highly mobile and dispersed forces connected to one another and to the Army’s global information network. Additionally, integrated on a variety of tactical vehicles to best suite unit requirements, TNT-OTM enables Soldiers operating in remote and challenging terrain to maintain network communications on patrol, with connectivity like that of a stationary command post. These configurations deliver a global, mobile, resilient, and redundant tactical communications network.
The Army continues to improve its tactical network, enhancing the way the network is operated, managed, and defended across all echelons and domains. Ongoing rapid acquisition efforts that leverage experimentation, system pilots, prototyping, and Soldier feedback; coupled with new system fieldings and legacy upgrades, are making the Army’s network more unified, capable, secure, and resilient, while making it easier to operate, train Soldiers to use, and maintain. The program office continues to deliver network modernization improvements now, while positioning and seeking out innovative network enhancements to support future capability sets. Pilot efforts include:
- The TNT-ATH Network Integration Technology Enhancement (NITE), which will refresh the Army’s widely fielded TNT-ATH baseband that is nearing end of life. This modular solution provides a more than 200% increase in computing power, while reducing size, weight, and power (SWaP), as well as equipment setup time for increased mobility.
- As part of the Army’s Capability Set 21 network modernization efforts, the Expeditionary Signal Battalion-Enhanced (ESB-E) Pilot provided valuable feedback to shape equipment solutions and force structure to enhance the service’s ESBs. The ESB-E effort is a floor-to-ceiling rethinking of the equipment set and capabilities the Army provides to ESB formations. This innovative mix of smaller, lighter more mobile and expeditionary network tool suite eliminated the need for traditional TNT-ATH equipment.
- Supporting the Army’s Capability Set 23 efforts to provide OTM network connectivity to armored brigade combat teams (ABCTs), PEO C3T will pilot ABCT OTM prototypes to enable ABCTs in more effective and less predictable offensive and defensive operations.
BENEFIT TO THE SOLDIER
TNT-ATH and TNT-OTM high-capacity network communications systems deliver a real-time common operating picture to commanders – enabling them to make rapid, informed decisions. TNT-OTM configurations enable mobile mission command; robust, secure reliable voice, video, and data communications; and a real-time common operating picture from anywhere on the battlefield. Combat vehicles integrated with TNT-OTM enable commanders to lead from anywhere on the battlefield. Soldiers operating in remote and challenging terrain can maintain voice, video, and data communications, with connectivity rivaling that found in a stationary command post.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Different types of robust TNT-ATH network nodes provide high-speed wide area network capability for secure voice, video, and data exchange at the quick halt
- Tactical Hub Node (THN) supports division-size elements
- Joint Network Node typically supports brigade-level elements
- Command Post Node typically supports battalion-and below level elements
- ESB-E Scalable Network Node supports small command posts and can scale up to joint task force and corps-sized elements
- Different types of robust TNT-OTM network nodes provide high-speed wide area network capability for secure voice, video, and data exchange on the move.
- Tactical Communications Node (TCN) and TCN-Lite provide satellite and line-of-sight network connectivity, both OTM in a convoy, at the quick halt, and to the stationary command post, enabling mission command and advanced communications.
- Network Operations and Security Center (NOSC) and NOSC-Lite provide network management and enhanced tactical network planning, administration, monitoring, and response capabilities.
- Point of Prescence (PoP) and NextGen PoP are installed on select combat platforms at corps, division, brigade, and battalion echelons, enabling mobile mission command by providing OTM network connectivity, both line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight.
- Soldier Network Extension (SNE) and NextGen SNE are installed on select vehicles to provide OTM network communications to extend the network from the battalion down to the company level. Using its OTM satellite communication systems, the SNE can also be used to heal and extend lower echelon tactical radio networks for geographically separated elements blocked by terrain features.
- The Regional Hub Node (RHN) is a fixed installation equivalent to three THNs and is used to support global network transport for theater-level operations.
- Global Agile Integrated Transport network design interconnects the RHNs — and can also interconnect Department of Defense Teleport Sites—to create a global network mesh that enables high-capacity data exchange from anywhere on the planet.
- Satellite Transportable Terminal (STT), a highly mobile satellite system, operates in conjunction with some of the TNT network nodes.
PROGRAM STATUS
- FY20: TNT-ATH NITE pilot as part of the Army’s TNT Modernization in Service efforts
- FY20–FY21: Modernized TNT-ATH THN and STT Modified Work Order (MWO) prototype pilots
- FY20–21: Complete TNT-OTM Fieldings to Infantry Brigade Combat Teams and Stryker Brigade Combat Teams
- FY20–FY22: ABCT OTM Pilot
PROJECTED ACTIVITIES
- FY21–FY25:
- Fielding ESB-E
- Fielding NITE
- Fielding modernized THN and STT MWO