Airborne Network Gateway
Abstract
Airborne Tactical Relay - An airborne tactical relay capability enables Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) range extension for tactical mobile communications. Within the current deployed forces there is no airborne network tier to support locally distributed ground and naval forces at lower tactical levels. The need to increase the capability to support tactical forces at lower levels is highlighted in the 2006 Naval Research Advisory Committee (NRAC) Distributed Operations Study. The current lack of an airborne tactical relay limits BLOS tactical communications to available satellite communications. This research will develop, integrate and demonstrate airborne tactical relay technology to support locally distributed tactical forces and achieve improved near-term networked communications capability. Focus will be placed on the transition from research to acquisition for accelerated fielding. Several candidate payloads and platforms will be investigated to meet the needs of the tactical military user at the lower tactical network tiers, for example, small unit relay. Upon the selection of candidates, the technologies will be integrated, matured and demonstrated to support transition. Research and development will include the development and integration of the payload to include Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS), Enhanced Position Location and Reporting (EPLRS), and Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) for example; the payload to platform integration to support demonstration; and the development of a small unit Concept of Operations (CONOPS) to demonstrate operations supported by the range extension for tactical units. Demonstrations will be used to support technology maturation and verify technology transition criteria. Airborne Network Gateway - An airborne network gateway interconnects dissimilar networks among tactical forces and also interconnects tactical forces with higher headquarters and command centers. In general, gateways interconnect networks with different, incompatible communications protocols. Gateways are commonly used commercially in the wired internet world to bridge between different networks. The US Air Force has fielded the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) and Rapid Attack Information Dissemination Execution Relay (RAIDER) in response to the need for high altitude airborne relay. This research program will leverage on-going projects, to develop and demonstrate a small tactical airborne gateway to support small units in distributed operations. The Airborne Network Gateway research will develop, integrate and demonstrate airborne network gateway technology to facilitate near term networked communications capability that will be transitioned to the field. Specifically, this research will investigate the data links (eg. Link-16, 1553), networks (eg. SRW, SINCGARS, EPLRS, HNW), and voice (eg. Cellular and UHF voice) candidates for an airborne network gateway, assess technology issues and maturity, and develop enhancements that will overcome shortfalls that preclude the ability to more broadly network the force through an airborne network gateway. One specific area of emphasis will be the analysis of the airborne network gateway effectiveness across sensor to weapon scenarios. Demonstrations will be used to support technology maturation and verify technology transition criteria. Gateway Interoperability - Gateway functions on the ground and in the air are becoming common across the tactical battlefield to integrate disparate networks. Gateways as a general term include relays (range extension), bridges (connect across networks), message translation (connect across data links), and guards/cross domain security (connect across security domains). This research will define, develop, integrate, demonstrate, and assess technology that provides standards to perform gateway functions from the tactical edge to the core Global Information Grid (GIG) network. Many technologies and components exist to perform the variety of gateway functions discussed. These would be assessed to identify desirable aspects to be leveraged as the foundation for providing improved interoperability. Emphasis will be placed on demonstrating capabilities to support airborne tactical relays and airborne network gateways. The research will be expanded to provide the technical basis for standards and policies that can be applied across DoD, specifically in support of the GIG. Airborne Network Gateway Open Call – A percentage of the Airborne Network Gateway funding will be dedicated to supporting new research initiatives in this technical area. Each fiscal year, a RFP will be sent out with specific technical focus area and evaluation criteria for each project. The proposals will be graded by a peer review team who score each proposal in each of predetermined criteria. Proposals are then selected based on total score.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- P662_0603662D8Z_3_0400_PB_2011
Related Documents
- Root: Networked Communications Capability
- Child Accomplishment: Airborne Tactical Relay
- Child Accomplishment: Airborne Network Gateway
- Child Accomplishment: Gateway Interoperability
- Child Accomplishment: Airborne Network Gateway Open Call