COMMUNICATION
TRENDS IN TBA
1. Success on the battlefield depends to a
large extent on the timely receipt of accurate information presented in a
format that can be grasped readily by the commander and staff to allow them to
prepare appropriate plans. This
information then helps the commanders to Observe,
Orient, Decide and Act (OODA), in real time. The OODA cycle must be followed by a feed
back mechanism for the commanders to assess the effects of the previous action
and plan the next phase. The speed of
execution of OODA cycle is directly proportional to the strength of
communication infrastructure both at tactical and strategic level. The communication elements therefore, must have
matching mobility and the flexibility to support all plans of the
commanders. Thus the receipt of sensor
data, information processing and communication of orders, all require the
provision of suitable Tactical
Communication Systems providing high-speed data networks and voice
communications. The range and capabilities
of such systems must extend into the Tactical
Battle Area (TBA) for providing the necessary decision support system to
the commanders at all levels. Without
the communications in the TBA on the modern battle field the commander is deaf, dumb and blind.
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Tactical Battle Area (TBA)
RECENT CONFLICT:
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM
2. In recently conducted, Operation Iraqi
Freedom, V Corps of US Army led the main thrust into Iraq. V Corps was lead by Commanding General
William S. Wallace. During most of the
operations Commanding General Wallace was leading his troops from his mobile
Assault Command Post. This mobile
Command post moved along with his troops through the desert and up to Baghdad. Communications enabled him, as the first US
commander in modern military history, lead the troops from the front. The V Corps used the comn network both for
data and voice transmission. Application
included e-mail, ftp, information systems, video conferencing and
telephony. V corps also got access to
the US Department of Defense’s Non-secure Internet Protocol Router (NIPR)
network and the Secure Internet Protocol Router (SIPR) network. SIPR-Net is the secure part of the Defense
information systems Network and provides classified access to web based
applications, bulk file transfers, e-mail and telnet. It also supports US Department of Defence’s
global command and control system, global combat support system, defence
message system, collaborative planning tools, situational awareness
applications, intelligence sharing databases and system for distributions of
air tasking orders. NIPR Net is the US
Department of Defence’s unclassified network. All transmissions over the
broadband communication network were encoded using KIVs, a US approved
government encryption technology.
3. Salient Observation on Communication related
issues post Op Iraqi Freedom are:-
(a)
Demand. There
is an increasing need for communication at all levels.
(b)
Space Segment. Commercial
space segment is dominating and can be used for military operations successfully.
(c)
Equipment. Its
usage at all operational levels lead to the need for mobility, ease of
use and smaller sizes particularly in Highly Mobile Scenarios.
4. Hence it can be easily appreciated that
as compared to the earlier times today there is a greater need to have all
modes of comn available in TBA with spl emphasis on mobility, small size, ease
of use and greater bandwidth.
5. Some of the major users of comn in TBA
are:-
(a) Corps.
(b) Division.
(c)
Brigade.
(d) Battalion.
(e) Company/Squadron/Platoon.
(f) Recce Warriors.
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6. Establishment of a comprehensive
communication network connecting all the above users is a very challenging and
demanding task. Such a comn network can
be roughly divided in to three parts:-
(a) The backbone network which is a stable wideband
network.
(b)
Deployable
networks connected to the backbone and to each other via various communication
links (typically for connection of field head quarters).
(c)
Various
tactical networks for maneuvering forces.
7. While the backbone can take advantage
of commercial technologies, the maneuvering elements are facing many challenges
that are not addressed by the commercial technology.
8. Comprehensive comn network for large
scale defence force requires the use of many different technologies in all
layers. With the success of the Internet
Protocol (IP) in the commercial world and the availability of various COTS
equipment and application it is the leading candidate to operate in this
network. However, the environment in which defence forces operate is unique and
poses many requirements and technical limitations which the commercial world is
normally not required to deal with.
9. From the operational point of view we
can divide the comprehensive network into three tiers with respect to
their mobility. This partition
is parallel in many senses to the comn technologies in all layers as depicted
in Figure bellow:-
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Static Network
10. In the first tier, the network is static,
planned and well connected by wideband links, such as OFC and other
technologies. This layer can adopt many
COTS technologies to construct a std backbone.
11. The deployable networks are located in
the second tier. These network are typically
used for deployable headquarters. They
can move on ad-hoc basis from one geographical location to another and require
relatively fast set-up and stable connections to the backbone or/and to other
deployable networks. This tier can incorporate COTS equipment with enhanced
capabilities tailored to suite the unique environment.
12. The deployable networks (e.g. brigade
headquarters) provide internal (inside the HQs) and external (to other elements
outside the network such as the central command) communication services. Such networks connect to the backbone or to
other deployable networks and for that matter use LOS digital radios or other
means of communication. The communication
devices must take special care of the following:
(a) Semi-Dynamic. Moving the sites from one geographical
location to another on ad-hoc basis requires fast construction of links and
improved routing capabilities.
(b) Faulty
Links. High BER and frequent
link faults are expected to be higher than in the commercial world due to the
harsh tac environment, including:
(i) Problematic terrain, e.g. antennas in
non-optimal locations.
(ii) Interference because of technical problems
such as limited set-up times and minimal turning.
(iii)
Stretching product performance to the limit (e.g. long distance).
(c) Low
Bandwidth. With assured
QoS.
13. The tactical networks are in the third
tier. These networks are based on
tactical radios (e.g. VHF, UHF and other media) and characterized by high
mobility, non-stable and faulty comn.
One of the major challenges in this layer is to handle the ad-hoc nature
of the forces (expressed in geographical maneuvering and mobilization of forces
between networks) without relaying on a single point of failure or a connection
to other networks. The std technologies
in the commercial world are not designed to deal with such environment and thus
in many cases a tailored solution is required.
Moreover the suitability of commercial stds like IP in tac networks is
yet an open question.
14. The tactical networks are based on combat
radios and may connect to each other and to the first and second tier
networks via various utilities such as gateways, in the form of IP or
application gateways. The major
problem is how to connect the tac forces to provide all-to-all communication
services. The ad-hoc nature of the tac networks poses
many harsh challenges both on the routing algorithms in the sys and on
the transport protocols. Some of them are:-
(a)
Dynamic
movement of forces between networks on ad-hoc basis.
(b) Taking maximal advantage of network
resources is critical. Thus, bandwidth expensive solutions will not fit the tac
arena.
(c) The sys must not relay on a single point
of failure of one connection to other network or networks.
(d) High PER (Packet Error Rate).
(d)
Unstable
connectivity.
EMERGING TRENDS TO
COUNTER CHALLENGES
15. The military establishment is currently
transforming itself to fully benefit from advanced information networking
technology. In the past two decades
fundamental changes were introduced to the military infrastructure; new
information systems were implemented, improving availability and management of
information.
16. But the flow of information normally
fails severely, as soon as forces start moving. Technical restrictions limited
the integration of mobile systems to information “Islands”. Without effective command and control
systems, combat units had to be operated “the old way”, relying on slow and
unreliable voice communication, vulnerable relay stations, hand drawn maps and
visual signals.
17. Combat experience indicates that valuable
information is generated at battalion level - battlefield intelligence,
friendly forces status and location etc. A dangerous “fog of war” results when
real-time data is not fed quickly enough through the command system, to update
the “situational picture” at the higher echelons. These conditions are most susceptible to
fratricide. Fortunately modern
multimedia communications systems are now filing this gap with advanced,
automated command and control capabilities which transform the military forces
into more effective, cohesive, efficient and synchronized network-centric
system.
18. For more than a decade, military Command,
Control and Communications (C3) systems benefit from the rapid pace of
development of consumer mobile wireless communications and computing
products. In sharp contrast to the past
time, when military communications were far more advanced than commercial
systems, contemporary personal communicators (mobile phones, PCS, PDAs and
other gadgets) are providing far better performance than any military device,
and are available for a fraction of the cost of military devices. Modern soldier are prepared to use computers
and accept them as an essential part of every mission. Therefore, fielding of more complex systems
is now feasible and affordable than ever before
19. In recent conflicts, such as Operation
Iraqi Freedom (OIF), it became clear that existing army networks cannot keep
pace with rapid movements and the comn nodes present priority targets for enemy
attack. To support users on the move,
the US Army and some NATO countries use dedicated military “mobile subscriber”
networks (MSE), operating similar to commercial cellular wireless
networks. While supporting users on the
move, such systems rely on stationary nodes to maintain efficient area
coverage. Commercial systems based on
GSM, TDMA, CDMA and IDEN are used primarily as backup networks, with voice and
data support. But these networks are not
reliable enough for military use as they lack availability, redundancy and
required military security levels. The
third and fourth generation (3G and 4G systems) of such stems, currently
deployed in few countries, could offer more advanced services but it is
presently not available on wide basis to support dependable military or
homeland security applications.
20. Even the standard Cellular systems are
offering advanced services, well beyond the capabilities of available modern
military systems. Commercial networks
are used by the military mainly for general purpose services during peacetime,
for coordination activity and personal communications. Military forces are adapting the commercial
TETRA standard to field mobile networks for military and security forces. Such systems are currently fielded with
French forces (utilizing the Tetrapol standard), British forces, Finnish
forces(based on Nokia systems). The US
defense Department has also embarked in a program to develop and produce secure
PDA Phone supporting commercial GSM and CDMA networks, for military and
homeland security applications. The
largest system of this type has been fielded recently in Israel by Motorola
(the IDF new “Mountain Rose” – TETRA based military mobile cellular
system). TETRA systems as well as
commercial cellular services are planned for migration to 3G & 4G standards
later in the decade, and would further enhance interoperability, with the
introduction of software defined radios, which will enable seamless integration
of wireless and wire-line systems into one “mesh”.
21. Current combat net radios (CNR) are
providing voice and data connectivity and form the basic layer for tactical
command and control for division to battalion and company level. Modern systems offer sophisticated
communications security (encryption) and frequency hopping for efficient
spectrum utilization and electronic counter-counter measures (ECCM). Such systems support voice and data
communications and offer data transfer rates ranging from 19.2 kbps to 115
kbps.
22. High speed wireless data networks are
integrating communications between different command levels down to the
divisions and brigades. To enable modern image-rich multimedia connectivity,
substantial infrastructure enhancement is required, primarily in the
introduction of computing and high-speed networking at the lower echelons, with
the deployment of high speed, wireless data-communications backbone spanning throughout
the theater of operation. Such
extensions can now reach battalions, with deployed line-of-sight terminals
providing high-speed links. Data
communications is required for all facets of military activities, including
transfer of reports.
23. Modern C2 systems rely on Geographical
Information Systems (GIS) which process and create map-based displays of
information such as unit status, target information, intelligence reports,
operational plans and logistics activities.
The fusion and spatial presentations of information from multiple
sources contribute to clear situational understanding of complex situations and
contribute to effective distribution of information to the relevant users
throughout the battle space. One example
of such a system is the introduction of blue-force tracking service, which
relies on advanced voice/data and position-location reporting radio systems,
which are an integral part of the system.
24. With the introduction of faster transfer
rates and availability of data-driven systems below the brigade level, modern
armies are beginning to deploy integrated Battle Management Computing system
environments to handle and process multi-dimensional information flows
(reports, maps, images, videos) and process them into these situational
pictures that are shared and relayed back to the fighting elements and up to
the highest level of command. The
network backbone provided for such applications relies on high capacity. High
Capacity Digital Radios (HCDR) or Wideband Network radios (WNR) such as the
NTDR are used by the US Army “digital divisions” and the HCDR is utilized for
the British Bowman system. These systems
can transfer data at rates of few hundred kbps to megabit rate, depending on
the station’s position, mobility and bandwidth utilization.
25. Despite their clear advantages, Radio
links utilizing VHF/UHF voice and data networks, such as CNR are limited by
terrain and range. Typical division area
of responsibility usually extends far beyond the reach of such systems. To gain full theater coverage, satellite
communications, ground and aerial radio relays are used, including such
deployed on aircraft and UAVs.
26. To support the brigade level and above,
these services rely on dedicated trunks for broadband connectivity. Such radios offer wireless connectivity at
rates from 1 MB to 16 MB. Where transfer of images or video is required,
higher data rates become imperative, links are being implemented with modern
high speed digital networks. These
services are provided by modern commercial networking systems, derived from
commercial Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), cellular networks or broadband
satellite links. Advanced, secured SDH
connections provide an ultra-wideband channel for up to 155mbps. Such broadband satellite links and
fiber-optics are widely used to link stationary or fixed command posts with
terrestrial networks, but high-speed connectivity of mobile elements is still
restricted.
27. Current high capacity data networks rely
on a framework of terrestrial stationary nodes which are deployed at elevated
positions throughout the battlefield, to maintaining optimal coverage over the
entire theater. Unlike comparable
commercial cellular systems, these networks do not support mobile users. Parallel to the rapid development of cellular
networks and commercial 3G & 4G internet connectivity during the 1990s, the
US military is promoting the research of military applications of such systems,
in programs such as Mobile Ad-hoc Network (MANET), resulting in demonstrated
capability of voice/data services up to few mb to dismounted users, and 10 -
100 mbps for vehicular/airborne users.
28. To enable the “mobile battlefield
network”, Multifunctional On-the-Move Secure Adaptive Integrated Communications
(MOSAIC) are been planned and implemented.
This “ad-hoc network” can automatically adapt to topography and
interference, maintaining optimal Quality of Service (QoS) of data messages. MOSAIC can also be linked to terrestrial and
Satellite Communication (SATCOM) networks for global connectivity. MOSAIC and similar systems promise to
revolutionize future tactical communications, but as they rely on wireless
access, and use of internet like protocols, they have similar vulnerabilities
of enterprise-class systems. The most
severe cyber threat is expected to be worms with arbitrary payload that can
infect and saturate entire MANET-based networks in seconds. A significant part of the development of
MANET and MOSAIC is focusing on securing and protecting the network, and
introduce self healing and recovery of its elements under attack.
29. Other commercial technologies are
utilized to establish satellite communications on-the-move. Stabilized SATCOM
antennas are used for commercial TV and data communications on the move, for
aircraft, trains and private use are being adopted by military users for
tactical on the move applications.
Utilising ruggedised or military grade systems, mobile SATCOM terminals
are deployed on tanks or APCs serving as mobile command posts, reconnaissance
teams, missile and artillery units etc.
30. With flexible operational services and
compact ground terminals, Satellite Communications (SATCOM) services offer
attractive solutions for military users in theater and on global links. Dedicated military satellite networks are
augmented by commercial services, primarily Demand Assigned Multiple Access
(DAMA) controlled networks that offer the user total control of the space
link. When deployed in theater, SATCOM
offers terrain independent communications, flexible networking and direct link
to the final destinations – without reliance on radio relays.
31. Future concepts currently under
consideration call for the deployment of a global grid of communications
satellites that could support the war fighter, enabling flexible command and
control of task forces anywhere in the world.
Such networks will utilize new generation satellites (follow-on to the current
Milstar program) and will seamlessly integrate the local combat net radio with
the strategic global network, facilitating effective access to all levels of
command and military operations anywhere in the world.
32. Due to the high cost of satellite systems
development and operations, outsourcing of services is considered by many
nations. In the UK, the Skynet-5
military satellite is being evaluated as a private venture. The program is under development and the
system is expected to enter service soon.
The French Syracuse III military satellite constellation is also offered
for rent, to the German government and Army.
Belgium and the Netherlands have also expressed interest in such
arrangements. Israel is licensing
commercial traffic on the Israeli Amos-2 and other communications satellites
and is also planning to deploy a dedicated military SATCOM later in the
decade. NATO is still utilizing its NATO
IV system, which is due for replacement in the near future. Candidates for such replacement are Syracuse
III, Skynet-5 and Milstar. Turkey is
planning a large scale investment in space, including enhancement of its
satellite communications infrastructure.
33. Fore mobile operation, SATCOM terminals
using commercially available Ku-band already provide data rates up to 512 Kbps
in the move. When the vehicle halts,
link performance increase dramatically, from two to up to five Mbps. Future SATCOM on the move technologies are
currently in development for commercial and military applications. Such systems will utilize future Ka band
satellites and dedicated terminals to provide 1 Mbps continuous data rates to
command elements on the move.
34. Modern C4I systems are feeding huge
amounts of information into the tactical operating center (TOC) where such
information is processed, interpreted and displayed on maps and status
reports. Such situational presentations
are generated by computers, and displayed at the Command Posts (CP) on large
screens or relayed to remote subscribers, via high speed networks. Unfortunately, such connectivity is not
provided with existing tactical radios.
Therefore, tactical commanders are usually disconnected form these vital
information feeds when leaving the TOC to deploy with their command
vehicles.
35. This becomes most critical at brigade and
division levels, where many different operations are executed simultaneously
over a large area. To support commanders
on the move and at forward deployments, modern command vehicles are being
upgraded designed to field integrated data-communications and display systems,
utilizing wireless data networks and mobile satellite terminals, which
facilitate on-the-move communications, and enable the commander and part of his
staff to continue and exercise effective command and control over the entire
force under their command.
36. The latest trend in C2 tech is Command
Post Of the Future (COPF), a system currently deployed at the division level,
enabling division and brigade commanders to discuss and collaborate when processing
information, share ideas, and attend virtual meetings without being at one
place. Commanders attending the virtual
meeting don’t have to be in the same room, or even the same country, to discuss
and draw on the same map. The prototype was deployed with the 1st
Cavalry division of US and is currently operating in Baghdad, connecting the
division HQ and five brigades. The
system was expanded with the introduction of advanced visualization tools that
let brigade commanders communicate, collaborate and share information. The first unit scheduled to receive the
enhanced CPOF is the 3rd infantry Division.
37. Command and Control On the Move (C2OTM)
applications enable commanders to receive data-intensive information via
satellite-down linked feeds, on the move.
Utilizing new generation satellite antennae, designed for mobile
platforms, C2OTM introduces tactical commanders with new capabilities to deploy
their command elements to the most critical points, without loosing contact
with their tactical operations center (TOC).
Initial C2OTM elements were already deployed in Iraq at the beginning of
Operation Iraqi Freedom and more systems and variants are expected to be
fielded in near future.
38. MBCOTM is another new concept enabling
the commander to perform all command and control tasks while on the move. Although Command Vehicles which can operate
independent of command posts(CPs) are well established in many armies, until
recently these elements were not equipped with mobile data communications and
therefore, could not fully support modern C4I services. These systems are currently designed as
“commander centric”, rather than “post centric” systems and enable the
presentation of situational awareness of maneuver, effects, intelligence,
mobility, counter-mobility and survivability, NBC and air defence. Other tasks include monitoring and execution
of fire support plans, tasking and re-tasking organisation etc.
39. The Indian Army too has adequately
conceptualized the comn framework for the TBA and the systems are being
inducted through TCS, CNR and satellite network program. Info systems for TBA, in the form of software
applications, are also progressing in parallel through various Tac C3I
programs.
40. Though TCS covers all aspects of modern
comn needs for TBA still, we need to consider catering for aerial comn nodes.
These nodes though are going to be costly to handle but, will provide us with
much needed mobility, flexibility in deployment and extended ranges in the
critical hour of need. A Signals Aviation Unit comprising of Aircrafts,
Helicopters and UAVs at theatre level, capable of supporting comn and EW needs of
modern battle field within that theatre may be given a considerate thought.
Western countries are working on this and in fact some are in advance stages of
their trials.
41. Terrain plays a very important role in
the planning of communications and without correct terrain intelligence it is
near impossible to field a reliable and secure comn in TBA. Unlike on our own
side of IB, recce of the enemy area is not easy. Hence fielding of Signals
Recce Warriors capable of infiltrating behind the enemy lines to identify and
provide the much needed terrain info from signals point of view and also to
physically intercept the OFC/ tele lines and other comn links of enemy to
gather vital intelligence may also be considered.
42. A need to provide better mobility and lethal
fire power to Comcens, DARB dets and RR repeaters is a must for ensuring fail
proof comn in today’s battlefield.
43. Re-organization of Corps/Div Sig Regts by
incorporating inbuilt limited EW capabilities so as to enhance the overall EW
fighting capability of a fd fmn by wkg in conjunction with specialist Sig Units
will give any army an edge over their adversary.
44. The challenges posed by Tactical
Battlefield and the efforts being made by the armies of various countries to
achieve reliable high speed voice and data networks have been discussed in this
paper. We find that COTS standards and
technologies do not suite the unique battle area requirements in their existing
state and there is a requirement to tailor specific solutions to satisfy the
challenges in TBA both technically and tactically.