Communication Automation
Abstract
The Battle Force Tactical Network (BFTN) on each surface, subsurface, air, or fixed US Navy platform uses previously installed/existing Line of Sight (LOS)/Extended Line of Sight (ELOS) radios (a.k.a. Radio Frequency (RF)) to create a secure gateway that inter-connects all users into a common RF Tactical Network (a.k.a. wireless). BFTN enables war-fighters to digitally communicate NATO and US-Only information necessary to execute and plan in a real-time operational environment without relying on ashore application server interaction. This RF Network separately supports US-Only and Allied/Coalition users within each platform to distribute information even if Satellite Communications (SATCOM) channels to shore are lost. As a result, Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Group Commanders maintain the digital communication ability to execute and plan with other U.S. ships, submarines or aircraft, as well as with Allied/Coalition networks; even if SATCOM channels to shore are lost. In a satellite-denied event, adversaries covertly jam or disable communications necessary to Fleet protection and tactical operation. BFTN engineering changes will facilitate automation of communications relays and application of network aware link establishment (NA-ALE) across battle groups. The BFTN engineering change will also enable modification of the BFTN Fly Away Kit for use in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV); thereby extending BFTN Ultra High Frequency/High Frequency (UHF/HF) link ranges. As a result, BFTN service levels can be extended for theatre of operations sufficient to thwart contested SATCOM connectivity to shore servers. Engineering studies and related test activities will commence FY14 to support the ultimate goal of development and implementation of an engineering change for increased BFTN network data rates and link ranges (1.92Mbps - Ultra High Frequency (UHF) at 20nm and 128Kbps - High Frequency (HF) at 200nm), a quadrupling of system channel quantities for improved service, increased network performance and jam resistance in a satellite degraded/denied environment. Design enhancements will enable the BFTN network to self-assemble Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) delivery circuits, adapt to user proximity changes due to maneuvers or operational demands and self-heal those data delivery circuits, if they are degraded or forcefully taken from afloat forces. The engineering change will also mitigate obsolescence and end of life impacts associated with steady progression of network technology and architectures. FY15 BFTN engineering change and related test activities will continue toward the objective of increasing BFTN network data rates and link ranges (1.92Mbps - UHF at 20nm and 128Kbps - HF at 200nm), increasing channel quantities for improved service and improved network performance and jam resistance in a satellite degraded/denied environment. Engineering activities will include tests designed to assess performance of the engineering change with range extension via an in-flight aerial relay between a shore sites to surface platforms in FY16. Testing of legacy radio modifications for wideband and modems/controller modifications that increase data rates will authenticate expansion of RF Networking data rates/ranges within and across at-sea forces, as well as providing access to the Global Information Grid (GIG) via long haul links to Automated Digital Network System (ADNS) routers at fixed and mobile operation centers, including satellite denied and RF jamming situations. Joint Aerial Layer Network-Maritime (JALN-M) is the Navy implementation of the JALN architecture which provides assured communications in any environment, especially Anti-Access Area Denial (A2AD). With disruption or loss of space tier communications, JALN-M establishes and/or restores connectivity within the High Capacity Backbone (HCB) tier, the Distribution Access Range Extension (DARE) tier, and the Transition tier in accordance with the JALN Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) dated 27 August 2009 and the JALN Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) Final Report dated 31 October 2011. JALN-M is a robust, assured communications capability providing Joint connectivity via the HCB and Navy platform connectivity via a pseudo satellite DARE capability. JALN-M will use the Extended Data Rate (XDR) waveform for intra-battle group DARE communications, a Common Data Link (CDL) waveform for the HCB cross-link capability, and will leverage enhanced UHF/HF waveforms for coalition connectivity. FY15 funding will continue to support the goal of developing six (6) JALN-M Prototype payloads through the leveraging of the results of both HCB and Airborne XDR flight demonstrations. Efforts will include development of capabilities to be interoperable with Automated Digital Network System (ADNS). ADNS provides routing, switching, baseband, configuration and monitoring capabilities. Funding will also facilitate the development of the design specification of JALN-M payload requirements for integration into an airborne prototype Pod.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2015
- Source ID
- 0725_0204163N_7_1319_PB_2015
Related Documents
- Root: Fleet Tactical Development
- Child Accomplishment: Battle Force Tactical Network (BFTN)
- Child Accomplishment: Joint Aerial Layer Network -Maritime (JALN-M)