Networked Communications Capability
Abstract
Currently fielded satellite communications (SATCOM), terrestrial, and Tactical Data Links (TDLs) will be adversely affected during operations in contested Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) environments. The primary threat is from sophisticated electronic warfare capable of advanced jamming and signal collection techniques that are rapidly evolving to be more capable and agile. Department of Defense (DoD) advances in smart sensors and smart weapons have created a strong need for robust and resilient networks that are composed of tactical data links of today. In FY 2016, the Network Communications Capability Program (NCCP) will return with a new focus that seeks to enable the development and deployment of Joint assured communications networks. The goals of this program are: to mitigate degradation across battlespace tiers (strategic, operational, and tactical) and domains (nuclear, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance [ISR], command and control [C2], etc.) and to provide agility that will support the mission needs of Joint Functional Component Commanders (JFCCs), Joint Force Commanders (JFCs), and deployed forces. The DoD’s current TDLs platforms and capabilities (with large investments) are not sufficiently protected from emerging adversary threats and contain insufficient capacity for current and future needs. In order to enable the promise of net-centric operations for the warfighter, the next generation airborne tactical network must provide higher network capacity, greater robustness to electronic attack, better network connectivity, and faster response times to the changing demands from airborne, maritime, and ground users. Many line-of-sight (LOS), beyond LOS, and SATCOM waveforms have been integrated onto airborne platforms for various missions. In addition, there have been a number of design, development, and demonstration efforts to provide improved or specialized performance for air operations. These waveforms necessarily exhibit tradeoffs in target performance attributes including capacity, latency, protection, and complexity. As such, no single waveform capability will be able to satisfy all emerging mission needs. The challenge is to understand the essential needs of the users, avoid needless redundancy, evolve each capability as needed, and integrate separate capabilities into a cohesive network. This transformative research will develop new technologies and exploit existing methodologies to ensure performance in contested A2/AD environments by focusing on future communications networks that are a “leap ahead” of today’s capabilities. Beginning in FY 2016, the NCCP’s Robust Tactical Data Links Modernization (RTDLM) project will specifically develop next generation communications layer architecture for airborne networks for operations in anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) threat environments and also seamlessly work with future smart sensors and smart weapons. The network architectures will be flexible enough to allow for the network to support Commander’s Intent in any mission, environment, operating tactical platform, and weapon under any threat condition. RTDLM’s efforts will specifically focus on developing the advanced component technologies, such as Anti-Jam(AJ)/Low Probability of Interference (LPI)/Low Probability of Detection (LPD)/ Low Probability of Exploitation (LPE) waveforms, adaptive processing algorithms, adaptive antenna technologies (transmit/receive/nulling), variable power control, Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA)/Dynamic Spectrum Management (DSM) techniques, self-healing mechanisms, and advanced routing with Quality of Service (QoS) approaches. The guiding tenets for creating this new airborne (C4I) capability encompass enabling new missions, i.e. providing robust and resilient TDLs, communications and networking “service level” capabilities, interoperation, cost (affordable), and improved performance in terms of military value.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Source ID
- 0603662D8Z_3_0400_PB_2017
- Change Summary Explanation
- FY 2017 internal realignment reflects funding for higher Departmental priorities and requirements.
- Service Agency Name
- Office of the Secretary Of Defense
Entities
Organizations
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
Related Documents
- Child Project: Network Communications Analysis
- Child Accomplishment: Robust Tactical Data Links Modernization (RTDLM)