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)

Harris' Momentum radios support U.S. Public Safety and Municipal Agengies to meet the FCC's narrowbanding deadline

News Report

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

Comments

"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)

From Air Traffic Management to Close Air Support: Firentis presents a new C2 application for Joint Fire Deconfliction

News Report

As reported by Digital Battlespace, Frequentis is going to demonstrate a new Command and Control application to the German Bundeswehr next week. The application, named Smart Collaboration @ Joint Fires (SC@JF), has been designed to enable deconfliction between joint fire support cells and is expected to support NATO ISAF fire support operations in Afghanistan, including Close Air Support (CAS).

Defence sources who conducted such operations with NATO's ISAF in Afghanistan during 2010 said a lack of deconfliction between fire missions had caused concern. They admitted that 'mistakes' had been made and called for a software programme to replace 'pen and paper' typically used in Tactical Operations Centres (TOCs) at that time.

The Technology

Firentis' Smart Collaboration @ Joint Fires (SC@JF) is based on a previous solution that was developed for safety critical mission support in Air Traffic Management, named SmartStrips. The new product, that is still in a demonstration phase, is based on a distributed and fail-safe architecture combining three major elements: clients serving as flexible human machine interface, virtual servers as highly reliable service suppliers, and adapters providing universal external interfaces for data exchange with other information systems (including an interface to MIP-compliant systems).

Designed for command posts at brigade and division levels, a typical configuration for the system comprises two large touchscreen displays that automatically upload data from joint terminal attack controllers and alike on the ground. Displays include logging of friendly and enemy positions as well as target information; operational assessments including rules of engagement; risk assessment comprising 'danger close' parameters; and a compilation of effects available to complete the tasking. Information is automatically disseminated to multiple touchscreens- also available in wi-fi tablet form- around an operations room allowing the various specialists involved in a CAS mission to see and verify all the data.

SC@JF incorporates military concepts, including standard operating procedures and standardized processes, in the domain of Joint Fire Support and offers a highly innovative Collaboration and Decision Support Environment. The envisaged use of the system would be to assist operational staff to plan and coordinate engagements and analyse targets from strategic down to tactical level of command.

References: Digital Battlespace (1), Firentis (2)

Thales starts delivery of SOTAS digital intercoms to Brazilian Army through its local subsidiary Omnisys

News Report

As reported by Forças Terrestres, Thales's brazilian subsidiary Omnisys has delivered the first batch of SOTAS intercoms to equip brazilian army vehicles, under the terms of a contract that was awarded on last September 2011 by the Centre of Communication and Electronic Warfare (CCOMGEX, Centro de Comunicações e Guerra Eletrônica do Exército). This is the debut of this product in the brazilian market, whose demand is estimated at about three thousand units.

SOTAS intercoms will be integrated into the new Iveco's Urutu VBTP MR-Guarani, and the less modern M113.

The Technology

Developed for use in armored and utility vehicles, the SOTAS digital intercom system provides communication between crew members inside a vehicle and externally over combat net radios and field cables. SOTAS is a highly modular star network consisting of a central switch and several crew stations. Dependent on the functionality of the crew, specific boxes are available providing different functionality (e.g., Commander's Box, Crew Box, Remote Control Box). Using the latest digital transmission technology, voice is distributed digitally over the system providing excellent quality. Using Digital Signal Processors, any noise is filtered out, and the system will switch on automatically in case of any voice communication. The single coaxial highway cables carry power, digital voice, control, and signaling data between the elements of the system. The use of simple coaxial cables ensures easy installation and error-free operation.

SOTAS services are not limited to individual vehicles. SOTAS offers multi-media intervehicle networking: voice, data, video communications, sharing of radios, sensors and computer resources, etc. Vehicles can be connected in any order and in any topology. On connection, SOTAS automatically adapts to the new topology; no management action is required. Thanks to its system architecture, SOTAS provides full support of information from the operations center to the warfighter in the field. The SOTAS gives fighters a joint situational awareness, and with its modular concept, it can be easily adapted and expanded at any time, without interfering with the initial installation.

SOTAS has been installed in nearly 50 vehicle types, spread over 28 different countries. More than 18,000 systems have been deployed worldwide.

Comments

"This contract is very important because it results from a national competition, where Thales is transferring the technology to Omnisys, totally in line with the strategy of the Brazilian government regarding the development of defense industry in Brazil," explained Laurent Mourre, Director General of the Thales Group in Brazil.

References: Forças Terrestres (1), Thales (2)

Lockheed Martin files a protest for Northrop Grumman's CANES award

News Report

Here in this blog we have recently reported that Northrop Grumman was awarded a $37 Million delivery order for the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) common computing environment.

The CANES program aims at consolidating and replacing numerous legacy systems and deliver an open, common network to every ship, submarine and shore-based command and control center in the U.S. Navy. The contract awarded by Northrop Grumman includes options, which, if exercised at the maximum quantities, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to an estimated $638 Million. The issuance of this delivery order to Northrop Grumman is the result of the CANES competitive down-select to a single contractor, which has witnessed a head-to-head competition with Lockheed Martin.

As reported by Bloomberg, Lockheed Martin has filed a protest with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) claiming potential flaws in the evaluation process which could have precluded consideration of the best solution for the U.S. Navy. The protest will be reviewed by GAO, who has now one hundred days to come to a decision. Normally the protested contract is placed on hold while the GAO conducts its review. If Lockheed disagrees with the result then they may appeal to the Federal courts.

Comments

“Northrop Grumman is confident that its CANES proposal provides the Navy a best-value CANES solution and we stand ready to quickly help the Navy get this critical system to the warfighters,” said Randy Belote, a spokesman for Northrop Grumman. “We are disappointed that a protest was filed and have no further comment at this time.”

References: Bloomberg (1), C4I Technology News (2), Defense Procurement News (3)

U.S. Army's operational testing of WIN-T Increment 2

News Report

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.

WIN-T Increment 3 will continue development of WIN-T components to meet the full range of network capacity, security, and full on-the-move capabilities for the modular force. Increment 3 introduces the air tier providing a three-tiered architecture: a) traditional line-of-sight, b) airborne through the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and other airborne platforms, c) satellites.

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

News Report

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)

ST Electronics' SuperneT VICS provides vehicular integration of C4ISR components

News Report

As reported by Digital Battlespace, ST Electronics recently unveiled its new SuperneT Vehicular Communication Systems ST6800 (SuperneT VICS) which provides a network platform to facilitate integration of heterogeneous C4ISR components.

The Technology

ST Electronics' SuperneT family of Integrated Communication System ST6800 (also known as ICS) is an integrated C4 solution that integrates various subsystems to provide seamless data and voice interoperability as well as information dissemination across disparate systems and heterogeneous networks. It allows integration of disparate systems to deliver unified voice, data and multimedia services to fixed and mobile user terminals, as well as interoperability between different agencies to achieve closer co-ordination and faster response, and interconnectivity between remote fixed/mobile command centres and strategic headquarters for more effective sharing of resources and information.

The vehicular version of the product (VICS) is essentially a mobile communication solution that caters for the setup of highly mobile platforms such as patrol craft, armoured vehicles, commercial vehicles, ambulances, etc, and it is is designed to operate in a fast paced and fast-changing network topology environment. This latest system allows for interconnectivity, survivability and interoperability, and is based on an open architecture design that allows systems to be easily upgraded and therefore cuts costs for the customer.

The SuperneT VICS exploits IP technology to facilitate the convergence and integration of voice and data services, and offers a standard gigabit ethernet interface backbone that serves as a common network fabric to connect all platforms' C4ISR systems. SuperneT VICS leverages this gigabit ethernet interface for implementing a secured, fault tolerant dual ring backbone which offers no single point of failure for mission critical operations. This backbone allows for secured communication services including voice and data separation to enhance information assurance.

The SuperneT VICS backbone comprises fully rugged, small form factor intelligent crew stations, radio and Ethernet gateways to facilitate user assess to a comprehensive suite of voice and data services. These services include vehicle intercom, radio access/control, communication rebroadcast, Layer 2 and 3 switching, etc. The SuperneT VICS also facilitates integrated system management that includes frequency, network and equipment management.

Comments

"The SuperneT VICS offers an ideal platform for collaboration, providing speed of command and control and enhanced operational efficiency for work groups on wheeled and tracked combat vehicles, and small naval crafts operating in high temp and harsh tactical environments," the Company announced during the last Singapore Air Show.

References: Digital Battlespace (1), ST Electronics (2,3)