News Report
As announced in a recent press release, Raytheon was awarded a $3.8 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to allow armed forces to conduct jamming operations with minimal communication and control interference to friendly forces.
The High-Power Efficient Rf Digital-to-Analog Converter (HiPERDAC) program seeks to enable tactical platforms, such as maritime craft, ground vehicles, tactical aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as individual soldiers, to conduct battlefield jamming operations while minimizing frequency interference with friendly forces.
Under the two-year contract, Raytheon aims to produce a technology demonstration showcasing the ability to efficiently generate high-power, rapidly tunable, linear microwave signals across a broad range of frequencies.
The Technology
By generating signals that are both linear (that is, the ability of a signal to remain within a certain frequency) and efficient, HiPERDAC allows jamming across the frequency spectrum while providing precise gaps for communication frequencies used by friendly forces. Achieving signal linearity and efficiency has traditionally been very difficult, particularly at high power levels.
Comments
"Being able to maintain combat effectiveness while simultaneously disrupting enemy sensors and communication systems represents one of the greatest challenges in asymmetric warfare," said Joe Biondi, vice president of Advanced Technology for Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business. "With extensive experience and expertise developing defense systems across the entire frequency spectrum, Raytheon is uniquely qualified to take on this challenge."
References: Raytheon (1)
Showing posts with label Area: Communications. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Area: Communications. Show all posts
March 6, 2012
February 29, 2012
Defeating enemy Electronic Warfare through Tactical Data Links and Network Integration
An interesting article on DefenseNews illustrates how Tactical Data Links and network integration are expected to play a key role in defeating enemy electronic warfare efforts during future conflicts. Data-link networks allow aircraft and other systems to cross-check their information and allow war fighters to filter out bad information being transmitted by hostile electronic warfare systems.
“One of the counters to some of the adversary electronic warfare capability is that network integration,” said recently Lt. Gen. Herbert Carlisle, the U.S. Air Force’s deputy chief for operations, plans and requirements. “Even active electronically scanned array radars can be attacked, but it takes a dedicated effort to jam those systems. A combination of sensor fusion and networking could overcome such attacks however”.
The Technology
Tactical Data Links (TDLs) involve transmissions of bit-oriented digital information which are exchanged via message formats used in support of joint and combined operations. They can provides real-time, jam-resistant secure transfer of combat data, voice and relative navigation information between widely dispersed battle elements. Participants gain situational awareness by exchanging digital data over a common communication link that is continuously and automatically updated in real time, reducing the chance of fratricide, duplicate assignments or missed targets. Each participant in the communication link is able to electronically see the battle space, including assigned targets or threats.
In the recent years, several programs have been established (particularly in the U.S.) to transform conventional Tactical Data Links (e.g. Link 16, Link 22, and Variable Message Format) to comply with a modern net-centric vision. Within these programs, TDLs are being expanded to assess and transform joint data link communications to the net centric standards, and to ensure interoperability and seamless integration with Joint communication systems. The implementation of these network capabilities into the data link environment is expected to enhance the decision cycle between sensor-to-shooter; providing information-superiority, shared environment that enhances combat power by increasing speed of command, higher tempo of operations, greater lethality, increased survivability, and self synchronization. This transformation must balance the needs of the warfighters with the requirements for net centric operations.
In the U.S., an Advanced Tactical Data Link (ATDL) study was started in 2008 to evaluate various data link alternatives for contested and anti access airspace scenarios. This activity, that culminated in a public solicitation from the U.S. Navy, responds to a critical requirement for increased connectivity and capacity between the tactical and airborne domain to exploit complementary C2, ISR and targeting for greater mission effectiveness. Current tactical communication capabilities have limited throughput and scalability, insufficient AJ (anti-jam) and LPE (low probability of exploitation) capability, and high latency and network join times. Link-16, the most widely used airborne tactical data link, provides C2, SA, weapons coordination, electronic warfare, and other capabilities, but does not meet emerging throughput, scalability, and latency requirements, especially in high electronic attack environments. In this context, the ATDL aims at complementing existing links to support integrated sensing and weapons coordination and control across air, maritime and ground domains for both manned and unmanned platforms.
U.S. Navy is particularly interested in advanced tactical data link capability for the E-2D Hawkeye carrier-based maritime surveillance aircraft, the F/A-18G Growler electronic warfare jet, the F-35 joint strike fighter, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
References: DefenseNews (1), C4I Technology News (2), FBO.GOV (3), Military&Aerospace (4)
February 24, 2012
U.S. Army's plans for fielding Capability Set 13 on eight Brigade Combat Teams
As reported by U.S. Army, beginning early next year eight U.S. brigade combat teams will be equipped with an advanced, integrated tactical communications network. The U.S. service is now synchronizing the production, fielding and training for Capability Set 13, which is composed of vehicles, network components, and associated equipment and software. These technologies will for the first time deliver an integrated voice and data capability throughout the brigade combat team formation down to the tactical edge.
Capability Set Management
Capability Set Management (CSM) is the U.S. Army process for managing network capabilities as a cohesive portfolio and synchronizing all supporting activities. This revolutionary new way of designing, procuring, testing and ultimately delivering Network capabilities to Soldiers should enable the Army to place new and emerging capabilities into their hands early and often. CSM evaluates the current operational environment, then designs a suite of systems and equipment, a “capability set”, to answer the projected requirements of a two-year period. Instead of developing a capability and buying upfront enough to cover the entire force, the Army will procure only what is needed by units in the train-ready and deployment pools. Every two years or so, U.S. Army will integrate the next capability set, which will reflect any changes or advances in technology realized since the last set was fielded.
Each Capability Set undergoes operational evaluations prior to fielding to assess the collective functionality and interoperability of the set, each component’s individual performance and compliance with architectural standards. Soldiers participates in these assessments and their feedback shape how the U.S. Army determines operational requirements and will guide materiel development. Capability Set 13, in particular, has taken shape through the Network Integration Evaluations, or NIEs, a series of semi-annual field exercises designed to quickly integrate and mature U.S. Army's tactical communications network. The connectivity, architecture and components of the capability set will be validated and finalized at the NIE 12.2, which takes place in May at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., and Fort Bliss, Texas, involving 3,800 Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division executing realistic operational scenarios. Capability Set 13 will produce a tangible increase in U.S. Army network capability. 8 brigades will be equipped at the beginning of 2102, and ultimately at least 20 brigades will receive fully integrated network equipment suites.
The centerpiece of Capability Set 13 is the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical Increment 2, a major upgrade to the tactical communications backbone that will enable mission command on-the-move and extend satellite communications to the company level. Integration and configuration of WIN-T Increment 2 equipment on combat vehicles is now underway at U.S. Army facilities in preparation for production and synchronized fielding. The formal operational test for WIN-T Increment 2 will take place in conjunction with NIE 12.2.
The Agile Process
The U.S. Army has leveraged commercial industry to achieve significant modernization of network capabilities through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan using the flexibility of contingency funding and operational necessity. The challenge has been to define a process that enables success within the current materiel enterprise framework. Under the NIE effort, U.S. Army has established a similar operational environment at Fort Bliss/WSMR, supported by laboratory analysis at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, to institute an “Agile Process” that will introduce and evaluate commercial technologies in a controlled setting.
The Agile Process is thus an effort to procure critical capabilities in a more rapid manner, while ensuring technical maturity and integration synchronization. The ultimate end state of the Agile Process, the NIE, is to procure and align systems that meet a pre-defined operational need or gap and demonstrate success through Soldier lead evaluations during the Network Integration Evaluation.
The U.S. Army is also working to formalize the precise mechanisms through which contracts can emerge from the NIE process. Earlier this week, in its first procurement action resulting from the NIEs and Agile Process, the U.S. Army issued a "sources sought" notice for a single-channel, vehicle-mounted radio. The radios, known as Soldier Radio Waveform, or SRW, will act as a conduit for voice and data between the dismounted Soldier, his unit and higher headquarters, increasing situational awareness and reducing fratricide. This procurement, planned in time for Capability Set 13, illustrates how the NIEs and the Agile Process allow U.S. Army and industry to work together to quickly fulfill network hardware and software capability gaps.
References: U.S. Army (1,2,3)
February 23, 2012
Harris' Falcon Networking System connects warfighters to the tactical cloud
News Report
As announced in a press release, Harris recently unveiled its new Falcon networking system, which is presented as the first end-to-end system for connecting warfighters in the field to the tactical cloud. The system broadens and simplifies the delivery of secure video, data and other crucial command and control applications over both wideband tactical and emerging cellular networks.
The Technology
Warfighters today face challenges accessing data when their missions take them beyond the range of command center infrastructure. The new system combines information technology resources, such as a computer server and Falcon wideband tactical radio, into an integrated, lightweight package that can be deployed to support missions at the tactical edge. By utilizing the Falcon networking system, tactical users can now access applications and other critical data files that were previously beyond their reach due to constraints in bandwidth and power. Designed for on-the-move operations, the Falcon networking system delivers assured wireless network connectivity, content and services to mobile and dismounted soldiers. The system enables reliable, persistent distribution of vital information between higher headquarters, through command vehicles, to the squad.
Building on the proven capabilities of the AN/PRC-117G radio, Harris' solution extends the network to the edge with the most complete mobile system available. The standard configuration of the system includes:
- Tactical Radios, i.e. the Harris' Falcon III® AN/PRC-117G, the low-profile 50-watt vehicular amplifier adapter (VAA), which also provide Sierra™ II software programmable encryption and wideband data performance with the Harris Adaptive Networking Wideband Waveform (ANW2) and the Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW).
- A Network Communications Server, i.e. a small, rugged and scalable network integration center which includes dual security enclaves with embedded routers and servers and standards-based interfaces to support radio cross-banding, distributed information routing, and hosting of mission-critical applications.
- Tactical Cellulars. To help transform the user experience in military communications, Harris designed the Falcon networking system with a 4G tactical cellular module that will enable warfighters to use ruggedized smartphones and other lightweight devices on the battlefield. Tactical cellular service in the system adds capacity, speed and 4G LTE standards to the battlefield with all key components — antennas, filters, baseband and controls — contained in a rugged enclosure. The system contains an LTE Core that provides basic voice, data, video and network management through a standards-based solution compatible with commercial user equipment. Future enhancements will include roaming and composed security solutions.
"Harris is committed to developing technology that significantly enhances the utility of the tactical network," said George Helm, president, Department of Defense business, Harris RF Communications. "This system builds on our expertise in tactical communications and high-grade information security to deliver assured network connectivity, content and services, where and when they are needed. In short, our system delivers information to the right place at the right time in harsh and remote environments."
References: Harris (1,2)
February 21, 2012
General Dynamics demonstrates advances in on-the-move satellite communications
News Report
As illustrated in a recent press release, General Dynamics C4 Systems recently completed the first demonstration of secure voice and data communications via the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite-communications waveform. The demonstration used the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Handheld, Manpack, Small Form Fit (HMS) two-channel networking radio (AN/PRC-155), running the MUOS waveform software, to transmit encrypted voice through a MUOS-satellite simulator to the MUOS ground station equipment that will soon be deployed in Sicily.
The Technology
MUOS is a is a next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system designed to significantly improve ground communications for U.S. forces on the move. The system will enable secure, mobile networked communications worldwide, in even the most-austere environments. MUOS consists of four geostationary earth orbit satellites with an additional on-orbit spare, and a fiber optic terrestrial network connecting four ground stations around the globe. Each satellite will feature two payloads that enable the system to integrate with the existing architecture while upgrading military users to the new wideband code division multiple access system, which will provide mobile warfighters point-to-point and netted communications services at enhanced data rates and priority-based access to on-demand voice, video and data transfers.
The new waveform is termed the MUOS Common Air Interface (CAI), a Software Communications Architecture compliant modulations technique for the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) terminals. User terminals will be in fact provided by the U.S. military under the JTRS program, with an emphasis on handheld, soldier-worn units. For users, the MUOS system will provide familiar cellular phone-like services with the satellites acting as very tall “towers” to allow warfighters on the ground to communicate directly with each other and their commanders virtually anywhere in the world.
The flow of information between users when MUOS is operational will be much different than today’s systems. Users will communicate with the satellite via UHF WCDMA links and the satellites will relay this to one of four ground sites located in Hawaii, Norfolk, Sicily, and Australia via a Ka-band feederlink. These ground sites are interconnected to switching and network management facilities located in Hawaii and Virginia. These facilities identify the destination of the communications and route the information to the appropriate ground site for Ka-band uplink to the satellite and UHF WCDMA downlink to the correct users. Network management will feature a government controlled, priority-based resource management capability that will be adaptable and responsive to changing operational communication requirements. Additionally, MUOS will provide access to select Defense Information System Network services, a voice and data capability that has not been available to UHF MILSATCOM users on prior systems. For satellite telemetry, tracking and command, MUOS will use the existing control system operated by the NavalSatelliteOperationsCenter at Pt. Mugu, California with the Air Force Satellite Control Network as a back-up.
When MUOS is fielded it will serve a mixed terminal population. Some users will have terminals only able to support the legacy waveforms while other users will have newer terminal able to support the MUOS CAI. In anticipation of this, each MUOS satellite carries a legacy payload that will continue to support legacy terminals, allowing for a more gradual transition to the MUOS WCDMA waveform.
For the time being, development of the MUOS waveform remains on track for completion in the third quarter of 2012. By year-end, the MUOS capability will be available on the General Dynamics' AN/PRC-155 manpack radio, the first MUOS terminal that will be available to soldiers. The AN/PRC-155 is a two-channel, software-defined radio capable of network-centric connectivity and legacy interoperability, supporting advanced (SRW, MUOS) and current-force (SINCGARS, SATCOM, HF, EPLRS, etc.) waveforms.
 |
| General Dynamics' AN/PRC-155 Two-Channel Networking Manpack Radio |
The Context
Lockheed Martin is the MUOS prime contractor and system integrator, and was awarded in 2004 a $2.1 billion contract to build the first two satellites and associated ground control elements by the U.S. Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) (competing against the Raytheon team).
General Dynamics is leading the development and deployment of the MUOS ground system that provides communications and control interfaces between the MUOS satellites and existing and future U.S. Department of Defense terrestrial communication networks. General Dynamics also is providing the wireless protocol for communication between those networks and the MUOS satellites.
References: General Dynamics (1,2,3), Gunter's Space Page (4), DefenceTalk (5), U.S. Navy (6), Space News (7)
February 20, 2012
ITT Exelis' updated JTRS Bowman Waveform supports Battlefield Interoperability between U.K. and U.S. soldiers
News Report
As announced in a recent press release, ITT Exelis delivered an updated Joint Tactical Radio System Bowman Waveform (JBW) to the JTRS Information Repository as part of a $4.2 million delivery order that also included Soldier Radio – Multifunctional (SR-M) software-defined radios. The SR-M radios delivered to the JTRS Program Executive Office in this sale will be transferred to the U.K. government for upcoming assessment and trials for the JBW.
The JBW allows U.S. Forces to communicate directly and securely with U.K. allies using the Bowman VHF waveform on the battlefield. JBW functionality enables users from both countries to work as a cohesive team during combat operations, sharing situational awareness information more efficiently and effectively, rather than using separate channels to pass information back and forth.
The JTRS Bowman VHF waveform software application was developed by ITT under contract to the JTRS Network Enterprise Domain. It is to enable operators of U.S. JTRS radios to participate directly in the U.K.’s Bowman network. With such waveform, U.S. and U.K. forces are able to communicate and share data, despite their different radio systems.
Comments
“This radio-agnostic approach toward waveform development under the JTRS business model provides our government customer greater value and increased competition for radios,” said Ken Peterman, president of the Exelis Communications and Force Protection Systems business area. “At the same time, it also provides greater capability to U.S. and U.K. military forces through interoperability on the battlefield.”
The Context
Back in 2002, representatives from the U.S. Defense Department and the U.K. Ministry of Defense signed an agreement to enhance battlefield interoperability via the U.K. Bowman communications system. Soon after, the JTRS program office awarded a contract to ITT to develop a Joint Tactical Radio System Bowman waveform, i.e. a software application that would allow JTRS users to add the U.K. radio system into the U.S. network. Since that date, U.K and U.S. are keep on working together to create a network in which U.S., U.K. and coalition units will be able to share information and situational awareness as if they were the flanking formations of the same nation.
Bowman is a tactical communications system integrating digital voice and data technology to provide secure radio, telephone, intercom and tactical internet services in a modular and fully integrated system. The programme includes the conversion of over 18,000 platforms. Specifically, as well as being man-portable, Bowman equipment fits into most UK military vehicles from Land Rover Wolf to the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank, as weel as fixed HQ buildings, naval vessels, aircrafts (including the major helicopter types supporting land operations, i.e. Chinook and Merlin).
Bowman provides key improvements to capability in what has been dubbed the “three-legged stool” of voice communications, data services and situational awareness.
Bowman Command and Control provides an Automatic Position Location, Navigation and Reporting system (APLNR) which gives Situational Awareness to units throughout the digitised structure. The friendly forces picture can be configured to update unit and vehicle positions automatically. The tactical picture is shown on map displays on a variety of purpose-built data terminals – handheld, portable, vehicle or desk mounted. Key armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) are fitted with specialised equipments tailored to each vehicle type to facilitate use of the APLNR capability in the specific environment of an AFV. Bowman's Common Battlefield Applications Toolset (ComBAT) provides the main C2 interfaces for users of the Bowman system. This provides mechanisms for messaging, reports and returns. Battle Management capabilities include support for planning functions.
Bowman provides high levels of security based on the UK Pritchel crypto system together with its appliqué crypto and NATO Standard Operating Modes to allow interoperability with NATO allies. The Bowman Key Variable Management System (BKVMS) provides generation and distribution of cryptographic key material.
Bowman's IP-based tactical Internet provides connectivity through the local area system (LAS), the ITT's High Capacity Data Radio (HCDR) and Combat Net Radio (CNR) nets. Resilience is provided by the self-healing ability of IP. A new design of Bowman's gateway equipment also provides voice and data interfaces to existing wide area networking assets such as ptarmigan, SATCOM systems and the public and military telephone networks.
The Bowman Supply and Support contract was awarded to General Dynamics United Kingdom. A review of the program was undertaken in late 2004 and this provided the opportunity to better ensure that it would deliver a capability consistent with the UK MoD’s vision of achieving Network Enabled Capability. Bowman willoing to meet the tactical communications needs of those elements of the three UK Armed Services that take part in, or provide direct support to, UK land, amphibious and air manoeuvre operations until at least 2026. It is expected to provide a secure digital voice and data communications service, including situational awareness capability.
Since initial deployment of 12 Mechanized Brigade to Iraq in April 2005, Bowman has been employed on Operations TELIC and HERRICK. Other brigades have been converted and continued operational experience indicates that Bowman is delivering a battle winning capability.
References: ITT Exelis (1), UK MoD (2), General Dynamics (3), National Defense (4), SIGNAL (5), Aviation Week (6)
February 17, 2012
Harris' Momentum radios support U.S. Public Safety and Municipal Agengies to meet the FCC's narrowbanding deadline
As reported in a recent press release, Harris recently announced the availability of Momentum, a complete communications solution for the growing North American Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) user community. Momentum is a scalable digital solution based over an open technology platform which allows public safety, public service, municipal, utility and transportation agencies to meet the FCC's narrowbanding deadline (on January 1, 2013, all public safety and business industrial land mobile radio systems operating in the 150-512 MHz radio bands must cease operating using 25 kHz efficiency technology, and begin operating using at least 12.5 kHz efficiency technology. Migration to 12.5 kHz efficiency technologywill allow the creation of additional channel capacity within the same radio spectrum, and support more users).
The Technology
Momentum is as a standards-based digital communications solution designed to deliver maximum performance within the constraints of tight operating budgets. This solution fully complies with DMR standards and leverages proven digital technology to provide cost-effective, highly-reliable communications. Momentum family of radios includes powerful standards-based TDMA products that are compatible with DMR Tier II (conventional) and Tier III (trunked) compliant systems. It also provides IP connectivity to wide area networks, integrated GPS for fleet management applications, and an intuitive, user-centric interface in a lightweight, durable package.
Momentum line of products includes:
- HDP150, a software defined DMR Multimode man-portable radio that integrates GPS.
- HDP100, a light-weight DMR Multimode man-portable radio which provides a simplified user interface offering easy to use analog or digital Push-To-Talk communications.
- HDM150, a software defined Multimode DMR mobile Radio which meets Military Standards for rain, sand and dust, shock and vibration and, When configured with an optional desktop microphone and power supply, operates as a desktop control station.
- HDR100, a multimode DMR conventional repeater which operates in compliance with the FCC 2013 Narrowband mandate
"Momentum significantly extends the Harris portfolio of reliable communications solutions to an expanding community of users," said Steve Marschilok, president Harris Public Safety and Professional Communications. "Momentum delivers what public agencies and private organizations require — an affordable, user-friendly and resource-efficient DMR-based voice and data solution, backed by Harris, a recognized global leader in mission critical communications."
References: Harris (1,2)
February 15, 2012
U.S. Army's operational testing of WIN-T Increment 2
As reported by U.S. Army, U.S. Soldiers recently began training in preparation for the upcoming Warfighter Information Network-Tactical, or WIN-T, Increment 2 operational test. Soldiers began the 10-week New Equipment Training, or NET, in January in advance of the WIN-T Increment 2 Initial Operational Test and Evaluation, known as an IOT&E, scheduled for next May.
The WIN-T Increment 2 IOT&E will be held in conjunction with the Army's Network Integration Evaluation, or NIE 12.2, where it will be participating as a System Under Test. The analysis and test results from this strenuous three-week IOT&E will be used in the Full Rate Production Decision, scheduled for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012.
NIE 12.1, which wrapped up in November 2011, already gave the U.S. Army a unique opportunity to evaluate WIN-T Increment 2 in an operational environment about six months before its IOT&E. U.S. soldiers took the system for a test drive to evaluate its performance and provide valuable feedback well before the normal test cycle, enabling the Army to smooth out any rough edges and better prepare it for the formal operational test in the next spring. NIE 12.1, in particular, provided the first opportunity in which WIN-T Increment 2 was installed and evaluated on Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP All Terrain Vehicles.
The Technology
As already illustrated in this blog, WIN-T is the U.S. Army’s on-the-move, high-speed, high-capacity backbone communications network, linking Warfighters on the battlefield with the Global Information Grid (GIG). WIN-T introduces a mobile, ad-hoc, self-configuring, self-healing network using satellite on-the-move capabilities, robust network management, and high-bandwidth radio systems to keep mobile forces connected, communicating, and synchronized.
Similar to a home Internet connection, WIN-T Increment 1 provided Soldiers with high-speed, high-capacity voice, data and video communications to units at battalion level, with Soldiers having only to pull over to the side of the road to communicate. WIN-T Increment 1 was defined as providing “networking at-the-halt” and consists of a Joint compatible communications package that allows the Warfighter to use advanced networking capabilities, retain interoperability with current force systems, and keep in step with future increments of WIN-T. Increment 1 is a rapidly deployable, early-entry system housed in an S-250 shelter and mounted on an ECV HMMWV for roll-on/roll-off mobility.
WIN-T Increment 2 adds warfighter mobility and provides a communication network down to the Company level. Increment 2 enables mobile battle command from Division to Company in a completely ad-hoc, self-forming network. The WIN-T Increment 2 addition of embedding communications gear in the Commander’s vehicles enables SIPR (Secure Internet Protocol Router) into the Warfighting platform. Commanders and select staff have the ability to maneuver anywhere on the battlefield and maintain connectivity to the network. Since the WIN-T Increment 2 network is self-forming and self-healing, it provides a new level of flexibility to support changing mission requirements. Not only does it add on-the-move communications capabilities down to the company level, but it will also allow combat net radio and data networks to be extended beyond-line-of-sight. An initial Network Operations, or NETOPS capability will also be fielded to facilitate the planning, initialization, monitoring, management and response of the network. Additional features of WIN-T Increment 2 are:
- a "colorless core" which provides an enhanced level of communications security;
- automated planning for WIN-T waveforms (Net Centric waveforms, NCW, and Highband Network Waveform, HNW);
- propagation analysis for Line Of Sight (LOS) waveforms;
- On-The-Move (OTM) node planning;
- automated link planning for currently fielded systems;
- initial automated Spectrum Management;
- initial Quality of Service (QoS) planning & monitoring;
- map based monitoring;
- over the air network management and configuration of WIN-T Radios.
Comments
"WIN-T Increment 2 will provide a number of transformational capabilities for the Army's tactical communications network," said Lt. Col. Robert Collins, product manager for WIN-T Increments 2 and 3. "This training is the first step in readiness for the operational test and our first opportunity to thoroughly train the Soldiers and give them all the right field tests to be able to operate and deploy the network."
"The power of WIN-T Increment 2 lies in its integrated terrestrial and satellite communications or SATCOM network," said Col. Edward Swanson, project manager for WIN-T. "Being able to command the battlespace securely and effectively while on-the-move, despite terrain obstructions, will transform how the Army operates and significantly increase mission success."
The Context
In 1999, almost one decade after Desert Storm, a U.S. Joint Requirements Operational Concept (JROC) established a new program of record to move tactical communications into the realm of net-centric communications. This program was entitled Warfighter Information Network, Tactical or WIN-T. It emerged as the U.S. Army embarked on the Chief of Staff's Transformation Roadmap under the U.S. DoD communications architecture umbrella known as the Global Information Grid (GIG). WIN-T was expected to take full advantage of emerging network technologies and provide voice, video, and data for the warfighter.
In 2002, two separate competitive contracts were awarded to General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin to perform system engineering tasks, program management tasks and engineering services necessary to conduct initial requirements analyses and generate network architecture designs. In 2004, the U.S. Defense Acquisition Executive authorized a revised acquisition approach for the WIN-T program. The new approach combined the two contractors into a single team with General Dynamics as the prime and Lockheed Martin as a major subcontractor.
In July 2006, the WIN-T schedule slipped five years from initial operational capability (IOC) fielding in 2008, to an IOC in 2013.
In September 2007 the U.S. Army awarded the General Dynamics-Lockheed Martin a WIN-T contract modification valued at up to $921 million to continue development of the WIN-T system and to accelerate delivery of WIN-T capabilities to the existing modular force. The $921 million in modifications comprised WIN-T Increment 2 and WIN-T Increment 3.
References: U.S. Army (1), C4I Technology News (2), Global Security (3), General Dynamics (4)
Raytheon triples the capacity of its software defined AN/ARC-231 radio system with a new downloadable waveform
As illustrated in a recent press release, Raytheon is tripling the satellite capacity for all AN/ARC-231 airborne radio terminals by a succesfull upgrade to the Integrated Waveform software (IW), following successful field tests hosted by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).
New production radios as well as the more than 5,000 currently fielded ARC-231 radios can receive the IW enhancement via a software upgrade that can be implemented in theater. This approach will have minimal impact on the deployed radios and will require minimal operator intervention, thus increasing mission capabilities. The upgrade will provide an increase of several hundred networks for ARC-231 SATCOM users. Additional benefits over the current network are improved link margin, improved voice quality and a simpler setup procedure for ARC-231 operators.
The Technology
The AN/ARC-231 is an Airborne VHF/UHF/LOS and DAMA SATCOM Communications System.
This system supports U.S. DoD requirements for airborne, multi-band, multi-mission, secure anti-jam voice, data and imagery transmission and provides network-capable communications in a compact radio set. The system is currently used on a wide variety of platforms. Rotary wing platforms include MH-60L/M and UH-60L/M Black Hawks, MH-47E/G and CH-47G Chinooks, UH-1N Hueys, A2C2S Black Hawks, AH-64 Apaches and ARH-70 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH). Fixed wing platforms include Airborne Reconnaissance Low-Altitude Multi-Mission –ARLM, USAF Rivet Joint, and USAF Joint-STARS. These platforms, along with a wide variety of additional users, utilize the ARC-231 for VHF/UHF Line-of-Sight Single Channel and SATCOM BLOS for voice and data transmission.
The system is based upon a software definable radio, allowing implementation of upgrades via PC-based software downloads, even while the equipment is installed within the operational platforms. Prior to the last upgrade of the IW software, UHF radio communications had limited capacity, causing communication delays in theater. The present UHF satellite system is in fact reaching the end of its lifecycle, and in order to bridge the gap between the current system and the replacement system, which is the MUOS satellite constellation (Mobile User Objective System), the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency has worked with Raytheon and other radio vendors in the development and rapid fielding of IW as the UHF SATCOM solution.
Comments
"Raytheon offers the IW software upgrade at no cost to ARC-231 users," said David Patton, ARC-231 senior program manager for Raytheon's Network Centric Systems business. "Furthermore, full backward compatibility is provided with this software update to minimize any changes to existing equipment installations. This approach is part of Raytheon's commitment to provide readily available, high-performance, high-quality products to the warfighters."
References: Raytheon (1,2)
February 6, 2012
How U.S. Army is restructuring its modernization programs based on the NIE results
Here in this blog we have already discussed how the U.S. Army is using its Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) efforts, part of the Agile Acquisition Process, to force a shift from Research, Developmental, Technical and Engineering efforts to the procurement of mature network capability that will be fielded starting in 2013 (1,2). The year-old NIE has already driven decisions to send certain systems to the field, revamp others to better meet Soldier needs and terminate several programs that lacked merit, leading to significant cost savings and avoidance.
As reported by U.S. Army, much of the cost savings and avoidance stems from program adjustments made after NIE results prompted the U.S. Army to re-assess planned purchases or revise requirements. Examples include the cancellation of the Early Infantry Brigade Combat Team effort (including the Network Integration Kit) and the Mounted Soldier System program, and the restructure of the Nett Warrior and Joint Tactical Radio System Ground Mobile Radio efforts.
Industry participation in the NIE and the Agile Process is growing steadily, and more than 40 industry technologies will be included as part of NIE 12.2 in April-June.
Nett Warrior
Nett Warrior is the desendent of the U.S. Army’s Land Warrior program, which sought to provide soldiers with digital maps connected to a tactical data network and managed by a small computer. During the first NIE event in June 2011, U.S. soldiers deemed the system valuable but too bulky (it was weighting between eight to 10 pounds). U.S. Army leadership quickly restructured the Nett Warrior program to take advantage of the latest commercial technology. The lighter version unveiled at a press briefing in October 2011 weights three pounds and consists of a monocle to project battlefield maps and unit location data to the user, and what the service calls an End User Device connected to a Joint Tactical Radio System Rifleman Radio.
The slimmed-down version of Nett Warrior received positive reviews at NIE 12.1 in November 2011. This radical redesign was the result of post-NIE 12.1 U.S. Army's decision to trim many of the old features from the system. These changes yielded more than $800 million in cost avoidance and resulted in a more usable end product for the dismounted Soldier, to be delivered to more units on a faster timeline. "In the Nett Warrior situation, the formal requirement didn't match up with what users were saying they needed to get the job done," said Col. John Morrison, director of the Army G-3/5/7 LandWarNet-Battle Command Directorate. "The NIE gave us the opportunity to get the technology right, and to save significant time and money in the process."
Joint Tactical JTRS Ground Mobile Radio
Another major programmatic change related to the NIE is the termination of the Joint Tactical JTRS Ground Mobile Radio, or GMR. JTRS GMR is a software-programmable radio system providing secure, reliable, multi-channel voice, data, imagery and video communications for mobile military users. The system was expected to deliver networked communications on-the-move at the tactical edge supporting information sharing and combat readiness between service branches.
Soldiers at NIE 11.2 desired the GMR's communications potential but criticized its size, power consumption and startup time. When a decrease in the planned purchase quantity of GMR radios triggered a rise in unit cost and a subsequent Nunn McCurdy Breach, the Department of Defense decided not to re-certify the program, thus clearing a path for the U.S. Army to pursue lower cost, mature alternatives within the available radio market.
The U.S. Army is now using the Agile Process to procure a GMR replacement, known as the Mid-Tier Networking Vehicular Radio, or MNVR. This Non-Developmental Item, known as NDI, effort aims to procure available radios that transmit information using high bandwidth, non-proprietary waveforms such as Wideband Networking Waveform, or WNW, and Soldier Radio Waveform, or SRW, to move voice, video, data and images across the force in real time. The Army will leverage NIE 13.1 in the fall to test potential MNVR solutions and determine which will be fielded for Capability Set 14.
On November 2011, The U.S. Army issued a draft request for proposal for this system. Northrop Grumman and ITT Exelis have already teamed to compete for the U.S. Army's vehicle-mounted, software-defined radio, and proposed Northrop Grumman's Freedom 350 multifunction radio.
NIE 12.2
NIE 12.2 (scheduled for April-June 2012) will operate in a classified environment with secure data connections and will connect evaluation units to a higher-division headquarters, being represented by the 101st Airborne Division operating out of Fort Campbell, Ky. 2/1 AD operations at White Sands will require the brigade, battalion and company command posts to "jump" or move in uncooperative and unpredictable environments, and quickly establish network connectivity. A battalion-sized opposition force will be employed in dynamic scenarios with hybrid threats, including conventional forces, insurgents and members of the local population.
References: C4I Technology News (1,2), U.S. Army (3), DefenseSystems (4), MarketWatch (5)
February 2, 2012
Contract Award: Harris to support Australian Armed Forces' tactical radio modernization
News Report
As announced in a recent press release, Harris has received a US$235 million (AUD$223 million) order to deliver Falcon® tactical radio systems to the Australian Department of Defence in the next phase of its tactical radio modernization program. The radios will provide Australia's armed forces with reliable and secure Type-1 tactical voice and data communications.
Harris will supply the Australian Defence Force (ADF) principally with Harris Falcon III® AN/PRC-152(C) multiband, multi-mode handheld tactical radios for portable line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight voice and data communications. The AN/PRC-152(C) is the most widely deployed JTRS Software Communications Architecture-certified handheld radio, with more than 160,000 units shipped to U.S., NATO and other allied forces worldwide.
The ADF is also acquiring the Falcon II® AN/PRC-150(C) manpack, the world's only type-1 certified HF radio. Both radios are being delivered to the ADF under the Joint Project 2072 program. Harris will support delivery, installation and training for the radios through its newly opened Asia-Pacific headquarters in Brisbane.
The Technology
The AN/PRC-152(C) is a Type-1 certified single-channel multiband handheld radio that provides voice and data communications over the 30 MHz to 512 MHz frequency range. The radio supports SINCGARS, Havequick II, VHF/UHF AM and FM, APCO P25 and both DAMA and the new Integrated Waveform for satellite communications.
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| AN/PRC-152 Type-1 Single-Channel Multiband Multimission Handheld Radio |
The radio is supporting the transition to JTRS technology, i.e. the U.S. DoD program to develop a family of software-defined tactical radios that enable networks for sending and receiving voice, data and video tactical communications on the battlefield. Already in use by all branches of the U.S. Department of Defense, many of its allies, and U.S. federal agencies, the software upgradeable AN/PRC-152 satisfies the evolving mission requirements of warfighters by delivering secure, real-time information and communication at all points of need during coordination, combat, and crisis.
The Falcon II AN/PRC-150(C) is part of the most-widely deployed family of HF radios and the only one to offer NSA-certified Type-1 information security. The radio covers the 1.6 MHz to 60 MHz frequency range and comes with a removable keypad/display unit.
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| Falcon II® AN/PRC-150(C) |
Comments
"This order expands our ongoing collaboration with the Australian Department of Defence, which is working toward developing a networked Australian brigade in 2013," said Brendan O'Connell, president, International Business, Harris RF Communications. "Our solutions and proven expertise in tactical communications are making a difference for ADF forces by delivering voice, video and data across the battlefield. We're also providing the ADF with world-class field support, highlighted by the recent opening of our regional headquarters in Brisbane."
The Context
On May 2011, the Australian Government gave first pass approval to Joint Project 2072 Phase 2B, which is aimed at providing the ADF with a next generation telecommunications network capability. This capability will provide a modern, deployable communications system that enables the transmission of information over a range of wired and wireless networking services, such as radios, satellite and computer servers and terminals. Joint Project 2072 Phase 2B is cost capped between $100 million and $500 million, and it will enable Army and elements of the Air Force to replace ageing mobile communications infrastructure services and provide commanders with an increased level of situational awareness, command and control and information sharing capability.
Related Posts
- Harris introduces the new Falcon III handeld radio upgrade for network-enabled dismounted soldiers.
- Harris introduces multi-UAS controlling capabilities on Falcon III Radios.
February 1, 2012
Contract Award: Northrop Grumman to provide its Battlefield Airborne Communications Node for two U.S. Air Force Global Hawks
News Report
As announced in a recent press release, the U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a $47.2 million contract for the purchase and integration of two more Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) payloads on two existing Block 20 Global Hawk aircraft.
After the BACN payloads have been integrated on the Block 20 Global Hawks, the aircraft will be designated as USAF EQ-4B unmanned systems, providing long endurance and high persistence gateway capabilities.
The Technology
In theater operations, mountainous terrain inhibited line-of-sight communications; diverse weapon systems were unable to communicate with each other; each operating unit could see only a limited set of the complete picture. BACN bridges the gaps between those systems, enabling essential situational awareness from small ground units in contact up to the highest command levels.
BACN is a high-altitude, airborne communications and information gateway system that maintains operational communications support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The persistent connectivity that BACN provides improves situational awareness and enables better coordination between forward-edge warfighters and commanders. BACN bridges and extends voice communications and battlespace awareness information from numerous sources using a suite of computers and radio systems.
BACN’s Airborne Executive Processor (AEP) enables a persistent Gateway in the sky that receives, bridges, and distributes communication among all participants in a battle. BACN’s AEP provides translator and gateway interfaces among all supported communications systems, and forwards knowledge-based intelligence information to the Global Information Grid. By controlling the AEP via a ground station, BACN becomes radio agnostic, platform agnostic, and un-tethered.
Comments
"The addition of two more BACN systems on Global Hawks will decisively enhance the required 24/7 gateway capability," said Claude Hashem, vice president of the network communications systems business at Northrop Grumman's Information Systems sector. "The EQ-4B unmanned systems will continue to provide long endurance and unsurpassed communications persistence to our warfighters."
"This latest award continues the BACN program tradition of delivering new capability on compressed timelines that meets the operational needs," said Steve Zell, Northrop Grumman BACN program director.
The Context
BACN is not a new idea for the air force. Nine years ago, realizing that every aerial battlefield in the past few decades has featured several KC-135 tankers circling, waiting to refuel a thirsty warplane, the U.S. Air Force gave the tankers an additional job. By adding a few hundred kilograms of electronics mounted on a cargo pallet, which KC-135s are equipped to handle, the tanker was turned into a node in an aerial communications network. This solved the problem of how to connect warplanes to the battlefield when those planes do not have satellite communications capability. The system, called ROBE (Roll-On Beyond-line-of-sight Enhancement) was particularly useful in a mountainous area like Afghanistan.
Based on the lessons learned achieved with ROBE, in 2005 the U.S. Air Force introduced the BACN as a technology demonstrator to provide interlink between aircraft in a single battle area. Northrop Grumman was the prime contractor for the development, fielding and maintenance of the BACN system. The company was awarded the first BACN contract in April 2005 by the U.S. Air Force Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.
The BACN program has received a number of accolades over the past year. U.S. DoD and the National Defense Industrial Association selected the BACN Joint Urgent Operational Need program to receive one of the Top 5 DoD Program Awards, which are given annually for excellence in systems engineering. BACN also was honored with the Weapon Systems Award from the Order of Daedalians, a national fraternity of military pilots, and the 2010 Network Centric Warfare Award for Outstanding Achievement from a Defense Industry Partner, by the Institute for Defense and Government Advancement.
During the last three years, U.S. Air Force has been using business jets (the 44 ton BD 700) and specially equipped RQ-4B Global Hawk UAVs to act as communications relay stations over Afghanistan by using the BACN equipment. This allowed ground troops to not only talk to others farther away, but also enables ground troops to quickly connect with warplanes overhead.
References: Northrop Grumman (1,2), Strategypage (3), SpaceWar (4)
January 31, 2012
Contract Award: Rockwell Collins to research on advanced Software Radio Technologies
News Report
As announced in a recent press release, Rockwell Collins has launched work on Phase 2 of a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) research contract valued at $5.3 million. The effort is expected to increase the capability of digital software defined radios by a factor of ten over existing technology.
The Remote Analog to Digital Converter with Deserialization and Reconstruction (RADER) program calls for Rockwell Collins to develop power-efficient high-speed photonic analog to digital (A/D) converters with capability for remote operation. Research is currently underway and will conclude at the end of 2012 under the terms of the agreement.
The Technology
Signal processing of an arbitrary analog signal is today performed in the digital domain which relies on Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC). The objective of the RADER program is to revolutionize ADC by developing a photonic front-end that bridges the high bandwidth and scalability of photonic processing and the high performance of low-speed commercial ADCs.
Performance of conventional electronic-based ADCs is mostly limited by the finite transition speed of semiconductor circuits. To circumvent the rate barrier, photonic technology has been employed as photonic-based ADC or photonic-sampled ADC in order to improve performance compared to conventional electronic-based ADCs.
Within the RADER program, Rockwell Collins researchers are trying to exploit the photonic technology to enable ADC to operate in continuous time over a 10 GHz input instantaneous bandwidth with a resolution of 10 effective number of bits, all within a dense input signal environment while limiting the amount of DC power consumption to less than 50 Watts.
Rockwell Collins experts also are trying to sense analog waveforms at a point remoted from the components or subsystems that require significant portions of the power budget.
The Context
Critical to all military missions and the ability to gain tactical advantage is the accurate collection and assessment of information contained in the electromagnetic (EM) environment. Present day radio frequency (RF) sensor systems must simultaneously cover many RF and microwave bands and must deliver accurately processed information on an always-decreasing time scale, in an ever more cluttered EM environment. Conventional ADC technology, however, limits the maximum resolvable information bandwidth and the minimum obtainable frequency resolution that can be achieved on each of the multiple input signals. Despite a significant military need, progress in advancing the state-of-art in very high resolution, high sampling rate ADC systems has been slow. This progress has been limited in large part by ADC circuit design and available underlying transistor technology, resulting in a key limitation on the achievable dynamic range, bandwidth coverage, reaction time and versatility of military systems.
Scanning superheterodyne or channelized RF systems partly compensates for present shortcomings in ADC resolution and bandwidth. However, these systems have large size, weight and power requirements, and have static and instantaneous frequency blindness leading to unacceptable probabilities of detection and/or mission failure.
The RADER program seeks to overcome conventional ADC limitations by employing advanced front-end techniques in conjunction with multiple, more conventional ADCs. RADER leverages novel front-end architectures to incorporate de-serialization and reconstruction functionality to reduce the information-processing burden placed on individual ADCs, effectively multiplying the performance of the ADC to overcome the current performance limitations. RADER techniques are expected to be scalable and future-proof with regards to advancements in base ADC technologies.
This is the second RADER contract awarded to Rockwell Collins. In Phase 1, Rockwell Collins was the only company, out of three selected, to successfully demonstrate an A/D Converter with a minimum of 8 Effective Number of Bits (ENOB) operating at 10GHz, an industry first. While the aim of Phase 2 is to significantly increase electronic countermeasure capabilities, the research could ultimately be applied across a broad spectrum of military and commercial communication devices.
Comments
“In this stage of the RADER program, we’ll be working to shrink the A/D technology that we developed in Phase 1 onto a single silicon device,” explained John Borghese, vice president, Advanced Technology Center for Rockwell Collins. “The miniaturization of the technology we’ve already proven will enable integration into next generation radio devices.”
References: Rockwell Collins (1), Photonic Systems Group (2), Military&Aerospace (3), DARPA (4)
January 25, 2012
Raytheon gears up for next NIE 12.2
News Report
An interesting entry on Shepard's Digital Battlespace reports that Raytheon is focused on proceeding a step further in demonstrating the capabilities of its Mobile Ad hoc Interoperability Network Gateway (MAINGATE) radio system.
According to Jeff Miller, director of Raytheon Network Centric Systems' Tactical Communication Systems, the system ‘outperformed competitors’ during the last NIE 12.1 and the last U.S. Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE). During the testing, MAINGATE simultaneously provided multiple channels of real-time video, situational awareness, chat and other applications.
Soldiers at the squad level reliably received multiple unmanned aerial vehicle video feeds and other high-bandwidth data services from the battalion to the tactical edge. MAINGATE provided needed capacity for reliable connectivity among cellular networks, hand-held radios and the Warfighter Information Network - Tactical (WIN-T) system. It also allowed soldiers to integrate information across battle command systems and sensors.
"During the entire AEWE event, Raytheon's network provided the Experimental Force soldiers with a very reliable high-speed backbone that did not require any soldier or field representative intervention," said Harry Lubin, chief of the Experimentation Branch at Fort Benning's Maneuver Battle Lab. "It just worked the whole time, allowing us to focus on the soldier technologies," he added.
Raytheon is doing its own testing to demonstrate 30-50 nodes and in turn a more robust network, and ‘one of the objectives for us in NIE 12.2 is to demonstrate up to 50 nodes operating together’, Miller said.
The Technology
U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contracted Raytheon in 2009 to build the MAINGATE, i.e. a new mobile network that both military and civilian organizations could use to communicate using any radio or wireless device. Since its beginning, the technology development for the MAINGATE program was expected to permit tactical, real-time, high-fidelity video, data, and voice services to support tactical operations in either maneuver or dismounted operations.
DARPA has two goals with the Maingate program: to demonstrate new technology and capabilities to the military and to create a means to integrate legacy equipment easily in operations. Because the services take as long as two decades to cycle through equipment, it is imperative for older radios to communicate with the network and with new systems such the Joint Tactical Radio System and the Warfighter Information System-Tactical. MAINGATE serves as a gateway to translate different radios’ signals into Internet protocol (IP) message packets, which will permit linking different systems together.
Raytheon conceived the MAINGATE as a connection point that allows users employing a heterogeneous set of radio technologies (both proprietary and non-proprietary) to communicate through an IP network. The Wireless IP-capable Network provides the high bandwidth connectivity among air and ground mobility platforms. The network includes the integration of adaptive communications architecture, flexible routing architecture, and heterogeneous application services. A unique characteristic of the MAINGATE program is the integration of a “default” IP radio network as part of the gateway.
Raytheon's MAINGATE is currently comprised of a high-throughput radio that uses the Next Generation Mobile Ad Hoc Networking Waveform and a gateway that enables seamless battlefield connectivity. The architecture of the MAINGATE system allows for many more users to join the network at the same time and it has been verified to enable more than 30 different military and civil radios to communicate with one another while concurrently providing a high-capacity, mobile network. The system has been successfully tested among a large number of low and high bandwidth users, including video, along with voice and data. MAINGATE was installed and tested in configurations using aerostats, unmanned aerial vehicles and Stryker vehicles, to provide networking among several tactical forces performing various simulated missions.
Today, MAINGATE is a mature, off-the-shelf system, with more than 100 units currently deployed in theater. As already discussed in this blog, SAIC was recently awarded a 8 M$ contract to further enhance the MAINGATE by providing the integration of content-based Mobile Edge Networking technology, that will result in the possibility to extend the MAINGATE functionalities to smart phones' ad-hoc networks.
The Context
Raytheon is defining, shaping and delivering battlefield networks through net-enabled combat, communications, and command and control systems. The company has demonstrated the power of the network at the tactical edge through cost-effective solutions at various Army exercises, most recently at the U.S. Army's Network Integration Evaluation.
The NIE process was born of the U.S. Army’s recognition that its requirements, testing and acquisition processes were too slow, expensive and complicated. Moreover, it did not include the operator’s perspective. The next event, known as NIE 12.2, will take place in the next spring and will further solidify the Capability Set 13 network.
Refences: Shepard (1), Raytheon (2,3), ReadWrite (4), DefenseIndustryDaily (5), SIGNAL (6)
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