Signaling the Future
NEW SIGNAL REGIMENT CAMPAIGN PLAN LAYS OUT THE WAY AHEAD FOR ARMY COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING.
Editor’s Note: The Army Signal Regiment, based at Fort Gordon, Ga., recently released a “Campaign Plan” setting out its course for the future. Following are excerpts.
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF OF SIGNAL
The Signal Regiment’s top priorities are to support the war on terrorism; modernize our Signal equipment; transform the School House; and restructure the Signal Force. To maintain these priorities the regiment deploys LandWarNet capabilities and enhances the operability of the Signal Center by deploying mobile training teams (MTT), incorporating distributed learning and providing rapidly deployable technical support teams where needed. The regiment is continuingly modernizing and transforming itself to meet the needs of the operational force as we move from a switch-based architecture to everything over IP (EoIP) technologies integrating Joint Network Node and the Warfighter Information Network- Tactical (WIN-T) and incorporating a single integrated transport system.
As the Army transforms into modular formations and technology advances, the regiment’s career management programs, training strategies and combat development efforts are changing and adapting as well. Signal transformation is well on the way with the establishment of the TRADOC Program Integration Office-Networks; the redesign of Signal force structure to support modularity; the fielding of the Joint Network Node; and the transformation of the Signal School to LandWarNet University.
This Campaign Plan highlights our goals, initiatives and accomplishments in each of these areas. The “Soldiers and Leaders” portion identifies changes and updates regarding career management. The LWN-U section describes how the Regiment trains and educates Signal Soldiers and leaders on LWN. Technology is quickly changing. The Regiment has a key role as the developer and integrator of LWN. Section three, “Future Capabilities,” describes initiatives based on technological advances and lessons learned from previous and current military operations.
FUTURE CAPABILITIES
As technology advances, the Signal Regiment’s combat development and training strategies are changing proactively as well. The regiment is moving faster than ever before. As a LWN developer and integrator for the warfighter, the regiment is enabling LWN capabilities to the lowest level possible. These capabilities will allow battalion command posts to synchronize planning and execution down to the leader-soldier level. Retiring Mobile Subscriber Equipment (MSE) in favor of JNN and WIN-T enables battle command by providing a fully integrated information network supporting warfighting, intelligence and business mission areas.
GOAL 1
Extend network services and capabilities to soldiers and leaders below battalion level, especially key tactical leaders on the move over long distances, in all operational environments and conditions, during noncontiguous operations.
Support the Army’s vision of information superiority at echelons below battalion by migrating legacy systems and interim solutions to the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS). Ensure the numerous emerging technologies, initiatives, current and interim equipment sets, and COTS systems interconnect soldiers, leaders and sensors as an integrated network to enable the timely delivery of relevant information.
Initiatives
• Develop Networking Waveforms. Networking waveforms are essential in providing JTRS-like capability both near-term and in the future. Developments such as Soldier Level Integrated Communications Environment (SLICE) waveform versions and Enhanced Position Location and Reporting System (EPLRS)-capable Microlight radios are examples of nearterm implementations. JTRS is a software programmable radio that will use new networking waveforms, including Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW) and Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW). The Army will employ WNW predominately as a backbone and gateway waveform. SRW will support unmanned ground systems, the information management system, non-lineof- sight, unmanned ground vehicle/ unmanned aerial vehicle, communications relay package, and manned vehicular, aerial and maritime platforms.
• Integrate Network Solutions as proposed in the Single Integrated Transport System (SITS). SITS will provide an integrated system of networking-capable radios along with supporting vehicle systems designed to provide increased situational awareness capabilities at brigade and below. Using either the EPLRS waveform or SRW, SITS will link dismounted formations, dismounted to mounted formations, and enable C2 capabilities for soldiers and leaders. SITS will provide squad leaders with voice communication links to their subordinates while connecting them to their platoon leader or company commander using both voice and data. This converged networking system enables leaders to receive and send orders and C2 information, collaborate and determine the status of subordinates and adjacent elements. SITS will provide the ability to rapidly extend and/or expand the communications network to suit the tactical situation, based upon mission priorities, the environment or a combination of both.
GOAL 2
Provide command posts down to battalion level with network services to support synchronized planning and execution of tactical operations.
The introduction of JNN and WIN-T capabilities drastically enhanced information exchange between allied, coalition and joint forces. These capabilities deliver stateof- the-art COTS communications solutions that extend IP network services to the battalion level. The objective WIN-T communications fabric will provide full battle command on-the-move capabilities throughout the battlespace.
Initiatives
• Extend IP networks to tactical command posts. Command posts require access to converged IP networks (voice, video and data). This will enable enhanced interoperability with other Army command posts and with allied, joint and coalition elements. The Bridge to Future Networks (BFN) is the Army’s near-term strategy to deliver increasing net-centric capabilities into the current force and to support transition to WINT. BFN provides secure IP-based voice, data and video services to the Army’s modular units at all echelons. It incorporates COTS communications into the backbone network, enabling the exchange of information throughout the tactical theater and into the sustaining base.
• Converge Army stovepipe networks. The WIN-T program will provide the Army with an enterprise communications backbone network that enables the exchange of converged information spanning tactical, strategic and all functional domains.
GOAL 3
Enhance GIG services during reset and ready phases to facilitate seamless IT support for training, rehearsals and operational deployments.
The Army is leveraging the GIG-Bandwidth Expansion program and Installation Information Infrastructure Modernization Program (I3MP) to ensure sustaining base facilities are equipped to support preparation, deployment and warfighting operations.
Initiatives
• Build regional hubs to provide GIG connectivity and DISN service to deployed forces. The Army will establish regional hubs to host secure LWN services as required by the commander. The regional hub will focus and integrate the leadersoldier network into a common, shared wide area network available to leaders and soldiers anywhere in the world.
• Accelerate the I3MP initiative with priority to installations supporting division and brigade operations. I3MP provides engineering, acquisition, implementation and management of the Army’s installation-level telecommunications infrastructure. I3MP-enabled installations will provide secure network connectivity during all phases of operations.
GOAL 4
Extend LandWarNet to support soldiers and leaders.
Provide space and aerial layer communications solutions critical to extending the network to the leader-soldier.
Initiatives
• Wideband/Protected SATCOM. A smaller, agile force operating over greater distances requires greater reliance on efficient, beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS), wideband/protected network transport systems within an integrated network. In order to achieve more efficient use of available SATCOM bandwidth, the Army will continue to field commercial Ku systems with IP-based modems, continue to transition Global Broadcast Service (GBS) to Internet Protocol (IP), incorporate near-term improvements into teleports and hubs, and develop and field the Network-Centric Waveform (NCW). The Army will continue fielding Phoenix terminals in order to meet the demand for increased bandwidth requirements. Additionally, it will develop and field a Ka band upgrade to existing commercial Ku band systems to take advantage of the Wideband Gapfiller System (WGS), upgrade the Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical Terminal (SMART-T) for use over the Advanced EHF (AEHF) satellite system, and develop and field the High Capacity Communications Capability (HC3) for use with the Transformational Satellite (TSAT). The Army will also continue to pursue additional wideband and advanced wideband satellite systems.
• Narrowband SATCOM. The Army will implement Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) improvements via the Integrated Waveform and upgrade SPITFIRE AN/PSC-5 radios to SHADOWFIRE AN/PSC-5C in order to increase warfighter access to limited military narrowband resources while increasing voice and data quality. The Army will incorporate the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) waveform into the handheld, man-pack and vehicle mounted JTRS radio to achieve the required capability of assured, on-themove, BLOS voice and data communications to mobile warfighters in an integrated network. This will decrease our dependence on expensive, stovepiped, commercial L-band systems.
• Aerial Transport. The Army is developing an aerial network transport capability to provide LWN services BLOS. The aerial layer will provide assured, uninterrupted, real-time, ubiquitous, and flexible BLOS communications to the lowest level while on the move
GOAL 5
Enable IDM/KM in support of Battle Command.
The Army will implement Common Information Services (CIS), IA, spectrum management and integrated NetOps to provide assured information where and when needed.
Initiatives
• Implement enterprise CIS. The Army will implement an enterprise CIS, managed by WIN-T integrated NetOps, to enable IM and collaboration for rapid decision making.
• Field IA solutions. Information must be accessible by authorized users and protected from unauthorized access or attack. Users must be able to validate the integrity of information and confirm that it was accurately conveyed to the correct entities. The Army will implement IA solutions that connect the war fighter to a converged network while protecting and defending services and networks.
• Field enhanced spectrum management capabilities. Future Force programs have the requirement to address spectrum management shortfalls using integrated automated tools and technologies. WIN-T will develop the LWN Spectrum Management Tool (LSMT), a tactical network operations system that incorporates a spectrum management system capable of planning, assigning, allocating, monitoring and deconflicting all emitters on the battlefield. The LSMT will be exportable to non-WIN-T users, and subsume the functionality of automated communications engineering system, network planning tool and Spectrum XXI at corps and below. In the near term, the joint community is developing an interim solution called the Coalition Joint Spectrum Management Planning Tool (CJSMPT), an integrated radio frequency (RF) spectrum planning and management tool that will enable frequency managers to perform RF spectrum planning from brigade through joint task force levels for both mission planning and the conduct of combat operations. ♦
