Marine Corps Tactical Radio Systems

Abstract

Tactical Communications Modernization (TCM): TCM contains multiple CMC Force Design programs. TCM supports the research, testing, and evaluation of non-developmental tactical voice and data radio systems for mounted and dismounted operations within all echelons of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The testing will ensure the communication systems are joint networking capable and support National Security Agency (NSA) Communications Security (COMSEC) Modernization requirements. The funding provides contracted engineering support, facility test support, and test reporting for multiple systems. These include the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), High Frequency Radio II (HFR II), and Multi-Channel Radio Family of System (MCR FoS) [Multi-Channel Man Pack (MCMP) and Multi-Channel Handheld (MCHH)] radios, High-Altitude Attritable Link Offset, terminals, antennas, current systems requiring updates or obsolescence issues, and Joint Enterprise Network Manager (JENM). Networking on the Move (NOTM) - NOTM is a critical CMC Force Design program, essential to achieving Force Design initial operational capability (IOC) in FY 2023 and sustaining the momentum to achieve Force Design full operational capability (FOC) by 2030. NOTM is a critical enabler for "Command and Control (C2) in a Degraded Environment," a Force Design 2030 Line of Effort. NOTM enables persistence inside contested environments, and the conduct of sea denial operations as part of the Naval Expeditionary Force. NOTM achieves this by providing a state of the art turn-key open architecture solution that enables forces to exercise command and control across operational domains - land, sea, air, and while transitioning between domains, by providing terrestrial line of sight and beyond line of sight satellite communication gateway services, and access to services and applications that enable forces to exercise command and control while transitioning between static and mobile positions. NOTM provides critical radio, voice, and data command and control links to key leaders in dynamic environments across multiple domains. The USMC has two NOTM programs, the NOTM Ground Combat Vehicle (NOTM-GCV), and the NOTM Airborne (NOTM-A) with requirements to field kits for the following platforms: High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV), Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV), Ultra-Light Tactical Vehicle (ULTV), KC-130J Hercules and MV-22 Osprey One NOTM system for HMMWV, JLTV, and AAV consists of three vehicles per system (1 Point of Presence (POP) and 2 Staff Vehicles). Each NOTM system for ULTV, ACV, and airborne platforms consists of one vehicle per system (POP vehicle). NOTM also supports Navy shipboard integration by installing NOTM Tactical Entry Point (TEP) Modem Kits on Amphibious L-class ships to provide services to Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) forces ashore. COSMOS details are held at a higher classification. Wideband Satellite Communications (WSATCOM) (formerly VSAT): This is a critical CMC Force Design program. WSATCOM is an integrated satellite communications family of systems (FoS) that is the primary beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) communications platform for the MAGTF. This FoS supports the expeditionary advanced base operations concept by enabling communication throughout all levels of distributed MAGTF operations. WSATCOM systems' modular architecture supports technology insertion through scalable and flexible SATCOM technologies. WSATCOM uses commercial Ku and military X and Ka frequency bands to provide BLOS connectivity to support intra-MAGTF communications (NIPRNET, SIPRNET, telephony) at all levels of the MAGTF. It directly and indirectly supports the seven functions of information operation concepts, enabling commanders at all levels to reliably command and control forces and to support a wide range of information operation missions. Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical-Terminal (SMART-T): SMART-T provides tactical users with protected data and voice via Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite communications. The SMART-T system is transported on High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), providing MAGTF Commanders a secure, survivable, long-haul, low/medium data rate communications link not subject to terrain masking and horizon limitations. The SMART-T is the only USMC asset that possesses a SATCOM AEHF capability. Individuals of this Family of Systems include Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Expeditionary, Small, Medium, and Large. These systems will be replaced by the Marine Corps Wide-Band SATCOMM (MCWS) Expeditionary (MCWS-X)with IOC in FY 2021, and Light and Heavy (MCWS-L/H) and FY 2023 will focus on testing of the MCWS systems. Terrestrial Wideband Transmission Systems (TWTS): These are CMC Force Design programs. TWTS is a portfolio that provides the Fleet Marine Force with the capabilities of secure Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) and Line of Sight (LOS) terrestrial digital data transmission. The BLOS capability will be provided by the Next Generation Troposcatter (NGT) which is currently in the Engineering and Manufacturing Development Phase. The NGT capability will provide significantly higher bandwidth communications over longer distances compared to the Army/Navy Transportable Radio Communications-170A (AN/TRC-170A) that has been in operations and sustainment since 1992. The LOS capability will be provided by the Line-of-Sight Radio System Family of Systems (LRS FoS) which will begin fielding in FY 2021 and an optical communications system, which was recently designated as an acquisition program. The LRS FoS will provide Naval integration over long distances with both shore-to-shore and shore-to-ship connectivity. LRS FoS includes a Transit Case based system for operational flexibility, a vehicle integrated system (MRC), and the Tactical Elevated Antenna Mast II (TEAMS II) which provides the antenna height needed for transmitting over significant distances. The optical communications system will provide Marines with an extremely high data rate communications pathway. TWTS will also continue to sustain legacy systems such as the AN/TRC-170, Army-Navy/Mobile Radio Communications (AN/MRC-142), Wireless Point to Point Link (WPPL), and Tactical Elevated Antenna Mast System (TEAMS) until NGT, LRS FoS, and the optical communications systems are fielded. The new capabilities within the TWTS portfolio will modernize the Marine Corps ability to connect networks over long distances in contested and satellite-denied environments. Combat Operations Center (COC): COC provides commanders with a rapidly deployable, common, modular, and scalable operational agency that facilitates command and control across the full spectrum of MAGTF operations. The AN/TSQ-239A Family of Systems (FoS), is designed to provide centralized C2 Operational Facilities (OPFAC) to collect, process, and disseminate tactical data for the commander and staff of a Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), Division, Wing, Marine Logistics Group, Regiment, Marine Air Group, Battalion, and Squadron. The COC provides the commander with a Common Operational Picture (COP) and tactical data and communications assets needed to plan and conduct operations in an expeditionary combat environment. The system enables analytical and intuitive decision-making with a modular and scalable equipment set consisting of a common module OPFAC, C2 system, visual displays, and SW. Existing Tactical Data System software, previously resident on numerous platforms throughout the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), have been re-hosted on the COC system to provide commanders with integrated data access and communications. COC transitioned from Project C2273 to Project C2275 beginning FY 2019. COC program office will begin developing a design for a update to the current COC configuration called Next Generation Operational Facility (OPFAC). The Next Generation OPFAC will provide the MAGTF with a more agile and modular COC capability to better support future Expeditionary Advanced Based Operations (EABO) that require a smaller physical presence. In FY 2021 the Combat Operations Center (COC) requirements transitions into the Combat Data Network (CDN) program PE 0206313M Project 2276 under the title Common Hosting Environment (CHE).

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2023
• Source ID: 2275_0206313M_7_1319_PB_2023

Tags

Readers

• Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
• Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Space