US Strives For Enhanced Military Logistics with JTRS

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Last month, the US military announced that it had developed a new software communications architecture for its joint tactical radio system (JTRS), aimed at providing additional flexibility and capability for the various platforms operating within the programme.

It is the latest step in the Department of Defense's efforts to create an integrated network of radio systems using cutting-edge radio waveform technology, which will enhance military logistics in the future.



The project was initiated in 1997 with the aim of bringing together a loosely-associated group of radio replacement programmes to form a single network, which will allow multiple radio types, such as handheld, aircraft and maritime, to communicate with each other.

Around 25 to 30 families of radio systems were previously used by the military, but many could not communicate with each other. The idea behind the new programme is to create software-based radios that can operate across the entire radio frequency spectrum.

Interoperability

In 2005, the Joint Program Executive Office, headquartered in San Diego, California, took over the control of the programme.

The project will lead to the introduction of a family of interoperable, modular, software-defined radios that provide secure wireless communication and networking services for mobile and fixed forces.

The United States, its allies and joint and coalition partners, as well as disaster response personnel, are set to benefit from the technology, which will improve military logistics operations for anyone using it. The JTRS will link the power of the Global Information Grid to the warfighter in order to achieve overall battlefield, and military logistics, superiority.

There are six different components to the JTRS, including ground mobile radios (GMRs), handheld, manpack and small form fit (HMS), consolidated single-channel handheld radios (CSCHR).

It also features a multifunctional information distribution system (MIDS), airborne, maritime/fixed station (AMF) technology and a network enterprise domain (NED), all designed to help improve military logistics.

JTRS Components

GMR is a multi-channel, multimode communications system that can work with current force radios as well as new waveforms that have enhanced performance capabilities. Testing of this technology is expected to commence this winter.

The HMS system is being designed to meet the need for smaller, light-weight and more powerful devices that are also interoperable and flexible. Integration, lab testing and field experimentation is ongoing as developers look to improve military logistics.

CSCHRs are currently being used to aid military logistics in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are two handheld, single-channel, software-defined radios and vehicle adapter amplifiers available. They have received National Security Agency certification and are considered JTRS approved.

MIDS is used across air, land and sea warfighting platforms, providing real-time and low-cost information and situation awareness using digital and voice communications, which is important for military logistics operations.

The NED technology will allow US warfighters from all branches of military service to access and share relevant and timely information, again boosting their military logistics capabilities.

Finally, the AMF JTRS comprises a two-channel small airborne joint tactical radio (JTR), a four-channel maritime/fixed JTR, and common ancillaries to support platform integration.

Military Logistics Testing

The JPEO JTRS International Programs Directorate and the Future Combat Systems Joint Interagency Multinational Interoperability team recently partnered the UK's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and Defence Equipment and Support agency to test the interoperability of some of the software-defined radio technology.

During the experiments at Fort Monmouth in New Jersey, the US soldier radio developed by defence contractor ITT was found to successfully link up with the UK's Advanced Digital Radio+ using the JTRS Bowman waveform, which could see enhanced joint military logistics between the two countries.

However, there have been problems with the system. Andrew Feickert, specialist in national defense for the foreign affairs, defense and trade division, produced a report for congress in which he outlined some of the issues with the programme.

The requirement for significant amounts of memory and processing power have added to the size, weight and power consumption, proving a challenge for developers as they aim to produce technology that is optimised for military logistics.

Security has also been a test for designers, as the software-based nature of the JTRS encryption means that it has been vulnerable to hacking. Developers have also been presented with the challenge of combining security for traditional radio networks and modern computer technology in order to comply with the interoperability requirements of the programme.

Contributor:   Defence IQ Press

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