Written by Joint Program Executive Office (JPEO)
MIT 2009 Volume: 13 Issue: 11 (December)
Multifunctional Information Distribution
MIDS Program Office Develops
Software-Defined Networking Terminal.
Editor’s Note: This is another in a regular series of updates on the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS), as provided by the program’s Joint Program Executive Office (JPEO).
JTRS delivers this capability by building a powerful network of soldiers, ground vehicles, sensors, ships and airborne platforms, enabling true networking and joint interoperability for the first time between all four services.
The Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) program office is one of five major ACAT 1D programs within the JTRS enterprise, providing affordable and scalable solutions that achieve the Department of Defense’s vision for advanced networking waveform capability for airborne, maritime, and ground domains.
The MIDS Program is responsible for the continuing fielding of the MIDS Low Volume Terminal (LVT) terminal and evolutionary development of the new MIDS-Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS-JTRS) terminal.
MIDS JTRS is a form, tit, function (plus) modification of the MIDS-LVT, and includes all of the capability currently in the MIDS-LVT plus significant growth capability. The software-defined networking terminal has a throughput of 1.1 megabits per second, which is four times greater than MIDS-LVT. The wireless, jam-resistant information system will also be National Security Agency (NSA) certified with the Link-16 Waveform. It includes Link-16 Enhanced Throughput and Link-16 Frequency Remapping, and will be information assurance modification ready.
FIELDING PLANS
The services’ fielding plans for MIDS JTRS are defined and funded, and a low rate initial production decision is now required to meet both the F/A-18E/F production schedule and Air Force platform requirements. This will be the first limited production and fielding decision within the JTRS enterprise. The MIDS Program Office is also leading the JTRS enterprise in successfully navigating through the NSA certification process on a very complex software-defined terminal.
“Certifying software-defined terminals is relatively new to NSA, and I believe that the key items that we learned working with NSA and establishing relationships and trust will be the key for other JTRS programs, and in developing a more efficient and less costly NSA certification process, “ said Captain Scott Krambeck, MIDS JTRS program manager.
In today’s war fighting environment, threats are constantly changing, and MIDS JTRS and the JTRS enterprise as a whole are developing software-defined terminals with growth potential, enabling network-centric warfare across the joint battlespace to meet emerging threats. Softwaredefined terminals provide the flexibility to meet changing needs through software changeable waveforms. ♦
