U.S. Army soldiers and engineers are evaluating existing and evolving industry solutions to integrate a potential network of armored formations.
According to a press release from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, the Army recently conducted an evaluation test of a new and growing commercial network on the go, technologies integrated across platforms. replacement armored vehicles were available, as well as the crusaders quickly came to a halt. Satellite communication. A pilot effort was underway to inform the Army’s Capability Set 25 network design, the operational concept of On-The-Move, or OTM, networked armored formations from division to battalion , and market research to identify existing and growing industry solutions for armored integrated network formation.
The pilot unit – “Spartan Brigade”, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division – used and provided feedback on several sets of commercial prototype equipment, as well as combat operations. engineering, engineering, and operational procedures, during a pilot at Fort Stewart, Georgia, from January 24 to February 11, 2022.
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Of the three battalions in the pilot, the 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2 ABCT, 3 ID, was tasked with evaluating the first of three pieces of equipment in the pilot. The device activates the superior tactical Internet, or TI, mission command while traveling in armored military vehicles. This technology allows us to set up its operations centers faster and easier than our current capacity allows.
As a 3rd AR, network and communications officer, I was responsible for helping train Soldiers on the new communications equipment, working with the industry team who integrated the device into platform, making sure we’ve conducted all brigade subject assessments, and making sure the Army collects the data they need. My role is often that of liaison between Army project leaders, brigade operations team, and my battalion staff. Months of preparation, training and planning that spanned up to eight days in the field at Fort Stewart, confirmed what the device could do against an armored battalion.
For pilots, Bn., 67, the focus of AR is on battalion-level line-of-sight, or LOS, grid and commercial flatscreen satellite terminal linkage. Battalion cadets can affirm that equipping is focused on a flexible, sustainable and fast communication system that benefits formations from company level to brigade level.
The satellite link, or SATCOM, link we evaluate is facilitated through a flat panel, mounted on top of our communication vehicle. This SATCOM link enabled superior TI services between our battalion and brigade. With the flat panel, we can successfully utilize our mission command systems, including Future Command, or CPOF, Field Advanced Artillery Tactical Data Systems or AFATAD and Command Computing Environment, or CPCE, as well as tactical operations center communications voice calls. Currently, the network and communications command group, or CPN, has a long established history of providing field services. This setup includes connecting and grounding our Satellite Transport Terminal or STT, configuring our network stack, connecting generators, and running fiber for our customers. One benefit of the OTM pilot device is that from a cold start, it takes a third of the time to pull service to a customer. The OTM device does not require STT, grounding and generator service and is easier for my Soldiers to operate. With this faster setup time, my network and communications team enabled our artillery operations and maneuvers Soldiers to begin sending fire missions and reporting to the brigade more quickly. ever. The ease of lack of equipment and simplified operator tasks help our team focus on the battle at hand.
At one point, while evaluating the TI connection on the OTM, the operators noticed that the SATCOM link was broken. When the device is paused briefly, the SATCOM link automatically re-establishes within a few minutes. At the battalion level, 3rd Artillery, 67th Army Corps, currently does not require the operation of mission command posts on the go. However, this mobile device now gives units the ability to change their current way of operating to utilize the increased speed of communication between brigade and battalion levels.
The pilot also used a small, oval-shaped satellite dish placed on the ground and connected by fiber to the CPN stacks, as an alternative SATCOM link from the flat panel. It deploys quickly and can be located far from the CPN. This allows the unit to push deep into the woodway for proper cover and concealment. The satellite dish can be located at the edge of the gap, allowing direct connection of SATCOM, while maintaining low visibility and long distance from the device. This could be a tactical accessory for a communications officer and battalion level network to use.
My battalion’s favorite pilot feature is the battalion’s LOS grid. Mesh is a reliable communication tool that enables clear voice and data between vehicles. Not only does the network work within the battalion, it also allows each node to speak directly to the brigade using voice and data via a SATCOM link. If a node is in the battalion grid, it can reach the brigade. The LOS grid facilitates tactical operations center network, or TOC-Net, capabilities. TOC-Net capabilities were used due to the ability of all nodes to have smartphone level audio connectivity and fast in the grid and back to the brigade. As long as there is a low electromagnetic signature, the battalion’s LOS grid is a hugely beneficial communication advantage for an armored unit, such as 3rd Company, 67th Company.
The Armored Squadron Network on the Go Pilot provided a glimpse into the future for Army command and control nodes and how squads are empowered through evolving network technology. and media. During the pilot, the 3rd AR, the 67th, experienced faster, redundant, and simplified communications accessible from company to battalion nodes.
