The Future Control Point (CPOF) is an executive-level decision support system that provides situational awareness and provides collaborative tools for tactical decision-making, planning, training, and mission management.
Combat control is "the art and science of understanding, visualizing, describing, guiding, guiding and evaluating military forces in operations against a brutal, thinking and adaptive enemy." Combat Control uses the principle of a command chain to transform decisions into actions by synchronizing forces and combat functions in time and space in order to accomplish a combat mission
Combat management information systems are equipment and tools that collect, process, store, display and distribute information. These include computers, hardware, software and communications, and the methods and procedures for using them.
LandWarNet consists of the global, interconnected, end-to-end, military combat capabilities, associated process and personnel required to collect, process, store, distribute and manage information on demand for the purpose of delivering it to the military, high-ranking politicians and support personnel. It uses the capabilities of the Combat Control. With a focus on commanders and soldiers, LandWarNet integrates command and control capabilities to engage commander-defined operations.
Modernization principles
The modernization of the army's battle control system will be deployed into an integrated information technology and will create an advantage in combat assets through the integrated creation of a network of informed, geographically dispersed and modular forces. This integrated Combat Management, combined with related changes in DOTMLPF (doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel and facilities), will enable future American the ground forces retain the advantage in the entire spectrum of combat operations.
General Architecture of Army Combat Control Systems (ABCS)
Part 1 (Increment 1) of the Army's tactical communications system is currently deployed to US units in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The 2009 National Defense Strategy and 2011 Annual Defense Review directed all branches of the armed forces to become more “mobile” (rapidly deployable, highly mobile, autonomous and efficient across the entire spectrum) and “fully networked” (based on information and integrated through a combined force). In addition, the Department of Defense has required the Global Information Gridding (GIG) to become the main technical backbone to support Network-centric Combat / Network-centric Operations. According to this line, all advanced combat platforms, sensor systems and control centers will ultimately be connected by the GIG network. This represents a fundamental shift from developing stand-alone systems to new or improved capabilities of the “supersystem” integration approach through enormous integration efforts. The following four basic principles will be used:
- Reliable network forces improve the distribution of information;
- The distribution of information improves its quality and joint situational awareness;
- Joint situational awareness makes it possible to work together and self-synchronize and increases the combat stability and speed of command;
- The effectiveness of the combat mission thus increases dramatically.
The modernization of army combat control will include these principles at all echelons down to the individual soldier when the army is transferred to its so-called Future Force Combat Command.
The US armed forces (AF) face an adaptive enemy employing a wide range of traditional and asymmetric tactics in a complex space. This issue highlights the critical need to rapidly improve vertical and horizontal integration and the distribution of the Combat Command's capabilities both within the army and between branches of the armed forces in a unified space and between organizations and countries in interdepartmental and multinational spaces. It is no longer acceptable to have each branch of the armed forces operating independently in the same geographic area. Interaction is the ability of systems, divisions or forces to provide data, information, material components and services and receive all the same from other systems, divisions or forces and use it all for the purpose of working together efficiently.
NIK network integration kit during tests. The system integrates data from sensors into a common operational image displayed on the screen of the FBCB2 system
Network of Future Forces
The network of the future forces of the American army consists of five layers (standard, transport, services, applications, sensors and platforms) that, when integrated, ensure the seamless delivery of data and messages. The integration of all five levels is necessary to provide greater situational awareness, information from various sensors and network firing, and, thus, transform the capabilities of ground forces in order to dominate them in ground combat. Integrated key systems include:
- Common standards and protocols such as network centricity, waveforms, IP protocol, common hardware between army modular forces and combined forces;
- Networked transport systems such as WIN-T (Warfighter Information Network-Tactical), JTRS (Joint Tactical Radio Systems) and high-power communications. This also included the Transformation Satellite (TSAT) program, which however was closed and replaced by the purchase of two additional high-frequency satellites (AEHF);
- Network services will be provided by the common operational space of the global system (formerly FCS), network-centric services, Win-T and network management services;
- Future applications include combat control, networked command capabilities and a distributed common ground army system;
- A wide variety of sensors on unmanned ground platforms, UAVs and manned platforms are connected and networked, which is very important for improving situational awareness.
Again, integrating all of these layers is key to getting LandWarNet from the dismounted soldier to mobile command posts and strongholds.
The Army supports the Department of Defense's network centric approach with the ultimate goal of improving the ability of different systems to work together. I must say that another way is to reduce the number of "seams" between systems and organizations.
The Army's vision is to develop robust networking solutions that enable commanders of all levels and soldiers to access critical data and information anywhere, anytime, and create a global space.where soldiers and commanders have the same perception when accessing information from the home station for accurate deployment. This is done through the migration of existing systems, where possible, and the development of new, network-ready programs in order to meet the unique tasks of a highly specialized network and control of ground forces on the move. This transition will complete the initial phases by deploying new battle control capabilities to existing forces.
A key element of the army's overall strategy for battle control systems is to move beyond the era of new vertical capabilities and to merge the multifunctional, basic communication systems of the army. On the lower tier, strategy requires the fusion of sophisticated and diverse tactical radios into the JTRS family of radios. This merger will be based on a number of factors, including the JTRS issue, the cost of the radio, the ability to fund C4I (command, control, communications, intelligence and computers), and an architecture that will seamlessly and safely integrate radios into JTRS in 2015-2020.
For networks operating out of line-of-sight, the proliferation of ad-hoc, incompatible communications systems on the battlefield creates particular challenges for supporting and integrating organizations. The document on the capabilities of future networks in the WIN-T Increment 3 phase included Trojan Spirit's reconnaissance programs as well as the CSS VSAT (Combat Service Support Very-Small Aperture Satellite) logistics program.
While solving these problems is an urgent task for the army, other specialized systems, such as Mobile Battle Command On the Move (MBCOTM), GBS (Global Broadcast Service) and others, represent the potential for merging systems in WIN-T; thereby simplifying the tasks of providing, integrating and moving the army towards truly network-centric capabilities. Specific details of the program are given in the following sections.
Main combat control programs
GCCS / NECC
The Global Command and Control System (GCCS) is a strategic, operational and tactical control system that provides a seamless flow of operational information and data from the strategic level down to all elements of the theater of war (theater of operations). The system provides an interface between Joint GCCS and Tactical Army Battle Command Systems (ABCS). The GCCS-Army is an embedded component of the GCCS-FoS program and provides reliable and seamless operational control capabilities for senior commanders and decision-makers.
Networked Command Capabilities (NECC) are intended to replace GCCS-A and are the primary Department of Defense command and control capabilities that will be available in a network-centric environment and focus on providing the commander with the data and information needed to make timely, effective and informed decisions. The NECC was created by specialists in the field of operational management with the aim of developing current and integrating new capabilities in management into a completely mutual common solution of all branches of the military. Soldiers can quickly adapt to the changing requirements of a combat mission by defining and configuring their information space and relying on capabilities that allow them to effectively and timely control their forces and fire.
BCCS
Battle Command Common Services (BCCS) are a suite of standardized and configured service servers that provide a tactical infrastructure of server and service capabilities that extend the NECC and NCES space to tactical echelons from battalion to army command. This infrastructure leverages the interoperability of tactical army combat control systems and data management, supports modularity, and provides so-called enterprise services. Enterprise Services consist of commercial products that are integrated and standardized to support the current tactical infrastructure; they will migrate to become a key component of the network-centric space.
BCCS also provide ongoing convergence (rendezvous) work with the Marine Corps by providing a data exchange gateway that allows direct exchange of common operational data between branches of the military.
MBCOTM
Mobile Combat Control System MBCOTM (Mounted Battle Command on the Move) is a set of equipment for command, control, communications and computers integrated with the BRADLEY command vehicle (ODS, M2A3, M3A3) or STRYKER light tactical vehicle for use by commanders and special staff personnel. The focal point of the MBCOTM system is to facilitate network-centric command operations. MBCOTM provides combat control, delivering situational awareness to the commander in the form of a general digital operational image, which allows the commander to be aware of the situation during his movement when physically separated from stationary control points. MBCOTM will provide the integration needed to enable tactical and operational control of combat on the move.
MCS
The MCS (Manoeuvre Control System) combat control system is an operational control system that allows commanders and their staffs to visualize the combat space and synchronize the elements of combat power for successful combat operations. MCS provides software tools that transform the way a commander operates from battalion to corps; it jointly creates and manages critical information, including the location of its forces, enemy units, targets, plans and orders, as well as operational graphical data. MCS is used to improve and speed up decision-making times, improve operations scheduling and monitor operations. MCS provides tools and displays that collect and process information from a variety of sources as needed by the combat commander and various combat headquarters.
The MCS system is the heart of the army's combat control system, a "super system" for combat control. Using formats and templates that are familiar to users, MCS can quickly develop and distribute battle plans and orders. Its automated components provide commanders with the capabilities they need to hold joint meetings, regardless of location, in order to execute a battle plan and coordinate forces for an accurate strike.
MCS, as part of ABCS, is a combined arms commander's tool for visualizing combat space. In this regard, the MCS receives critical combat information and data from each ABCS system in the combat area and issues this information to the operational display when it is needed by commanders and their headquarters. The MCS also provides critical operational information to each combat area as needed to facilitate the performance of a combat mission. These exchanges of information and data are carried out directly through military communications, data exchange, email, client applications, or indirectly using ABCS publish and subscribe services and web services.
MCS also provides the enterprise services needed to support combat command functions and seamless operation throughout the battle space and seamless integration with ABCS, other systems, Net Centric Enterprise Services and Global Information Grid. The MCS system uses permanent enterprise services to integrate information in the combat space and at the expense of NCES, transmitting information from the highest echelons directly to the squad leader.
CPOF (Command Post of the Future)
The command post of the future CPOF (Command Post of the Future) is an executive-level command decision-making system that provides situational awareness and collaborative tools for tactical decision-making, planning, theoretical training and execution management from the command of the military to the battalion. CPOF supports visualization, information analysis and collaboration in a single, integrated space.
Through the technological insertion of CPOF into the MCS program, commanders and key staff members have the ability to make decisions at the executive level with improved collaborative real-time tools. These capabilities provide an important contribution to the combat capability of the commander by improving his situational awareness and supporting the combat command process focused on the combat mission.
CPOF Operators work interactively, exchanging thoughts, workspace and plans to analyze information and assess course of action with real-time feedback for an immediate and comprehensive view of the battlefield. CPOF creates a commander-focused programming environment that can be adjusted to match specific visualizations. This custom visualization supports distributed and collaborative operations that allow the commander to operate anywhere on the battlefield. CPOF is designed to provide a deep thought process between the commander and his headquarters. Users can selectively and dynamically generate and communicate their designed analyzes, plans and executions. CPOF represents the available shared space since system startup. The user just needs to drag and drop the visualization product into the "shared (shared) products" area and instantly share it with all registered users.
The MBCOTM operational control system (Mounted Battle Command On The Move) is installed on the BRADLEY, HMMWV and STRYKER control vehicles
SICPS
The Standardized Integrated Command Post System (SICPS) is basically a non-evolutionary system consisting of the integration of approved and already deployed and platform-installed command and control systems of other information and computer systems that support the operational needs of the battalion and beyond, down to the corps … SICPS consists of various systems, in particular a communication system, an intercom system, a command center system and a support system carried on a trailer.
Presentation of the combat space of the MCS combat control system
FBCB2
The combat control system of the XXI century for the brigade level and below FBCB2 (Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below) is a combined arms digital information system. FBCB2 is designed to provide dismounted and transportable combat components in real time, it combines operational control and situational awareness. FBCB2 improves the ability of combat commanders to better synchronize their forces, achieve mobility and understand the essence of the combat space through better situational awareness and better understanding of the combat situation, all in constant motion. FBCB2 is a key component of ABCS.
The FBCB2 system operates over terrestrial communication networks and satellite networks. The system consists of a ruggedized computer with touch screen and keyboard. On the screen, the soldier sees either a digital map or a satellite image, on which icons are superimposed representing the location of vehicles, his other vehicles with the FBCB2 system and the "friend or foe" (BFT) system, known enemy units and objects such as minefields and bridges …
The FBCB2 / BFT was quickly deployed in small numbers in every Army Command, Army Logistics Command and Direct Alert Unit, as well as the US Marines and British units involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Permanent Freedom. In these theaters, the BFT system was installed on 50% of the armored HMWW and 100% of the ASV vehicles, and by now the army has installed BFT on 100% of the MRAP vehicles.
FBCB2 is currently funded to develop improvements in the architecture of the Network Operations Center, synchronize software releases, create satellite architecture and refine communication protocols (to reduce latency caused by increased system requirements), Type 1 encryption, and also to develop beacons. logistics products and development of Internet Protocol v6.
ISYSCON (V4) / TIMS
ISYSCON (V4) / TIMS (Tactical Internet Management System) is a software system that belongs to the FBCB2 system located in the S6 / G6 sections of the digital architecture of the armed forces. It uses the FBCB2 software as a base, and adds trial and commercial software to plan, configure, provision and monitor tactical internet.
BFT based on COBRA
MTX is a state-of-the-art friend or foe identification (BFT) system that uses existing national space infrastructure facilities and national technical controls (NTMs). These devices give commanders the ability to track and receive near real-time position information and short codes from their forces, requiring an extremely secure LPI / LPD control channel. These systems mainly improve security and reliability through the use of COBRA (Collection Of Broadcasts from Remote Assets) LPI / LPD waveforms, NSA certified encryption, and military GPS.
Because of the security benefits, special forces used COBRA-based BFT systems in Afghanistan and Iraq, while the main coalition forces used FBCB2. Approximately 6,000 MTX systems were produced and delivered to US Special Operations Command units (for example, every US Air Force special operations aircraft and ground unit in Afghanistan and Iraq had an MTX), other government agencies (OGA), and all other branches of the military. with special needs for secure BFT systems. MTX and MMC were developed and deployed as a result of additional appropriations and budgetary surcharges, but have since been adopted as critical and necessary support systems. The National Intelligence Agency has also invested heavily in modernizing and expanding the COBRA architecture to make it mission-ready according to the needs of the ministry and other agencies.
Training of the personnel of the American army in the skills of working with the FBCB2 system
Bfn
The so-called Bridge to the Future Networks (BFNs) represent the military's strategy to introduce improved network-centric capabilities into today's aircraft, followed by an initial transition to WIN-T. The performance enhancements in the BFN Army Strategy are enhanced voice and video services, ready to network and maintain the modular structure of the army. BFN provides modern aircraft with a commercial modern core network (high speed and high capacity) that will allow them to exchange information (voice, data and video) down to the tactical corps and on an ongoing basis.
WIN-T
Information tactical network of the fighter WIN-T (Warfighter Information Network-Tactical) was created as a backbone of the tactical network, it is designed for continuous data transmission in motion (users and network infrastructure) at all echelons, providing combined arms and coalition voice and data services at all control points, flexible and dynamic ability to reorganize tasks and greater survivability and a less complex network. A single, integrated WIN-T network will provide multi-layer secret, concatenated and coalition voice and data services at all control points.
WIN-T is an essential element in the army's transition to reliable network operations. It provides key capabilities for on-the-go data transmission through a three-tiered architecture (ground, air, space) that will allow for reliable, permanent network communications. The "ground level" will equip the soldier, sensors, platforms, command posts and access points (signal shelters) with integrated transmission systems (radio stations), routing and switching capabilities that will serve as physical entry points into WIN-T. The "air layer" will serve as an access point and repeater for the placement of transmission, routing and switching devices on aircraft. The "space layer" will serve as an access point and repeater using transmission, switching and routing devices installed on satellites.
WIN-T network diagram
US National Guard Mobile Tactical Center
Battalion Combat Operations Center (TOC) during a network check
The Army restructured the WIN-T program to include the former Joint Network Node Network (JNN) program. The restructured program will have four parts (Increment):
- Part 1: Establishing a fixed network
- Part 1a / 1b: Extended Fixed Network (formerly JNN program)
- Part 2: Initial construction of a mobile network
- Part 3: Complex Mobile Network
- Part 4: Secure Mobile Satellite Communications (SATCOM).
WIN-T Part 1 was deployed at one time in army units in Iraq and Afghanistan. In October 2008, an initial operational test was conducted at Fort Lewis to demonstrate the operational efficiency, suitability and survivability of Phase 1a for full scale production. Limited testing of Part 1b was then conducted in March 2009 at Fort Sewart and Fort Gorodon, and operational testing in May 2010. Limited customer testing of Part 2, conducted in December 2008 at Fort Lewis, led to initial operational testing in July 2010. At the end of 2012, deployment began in the first divisions. At the moment, a critical analysis of the project has been carried out. Part 3.
JNMS
Joint Network Management Systems (JNMS) provides a common automated management and planning tool that will support combat commanders and their deployment. It consists mainly of commercial software modules / capabilities to perform a combat mission.
JNMS includes the following features:
High level planning for including creating / editing and / or loading databases; detailed planning and design; monitoring to include the aggregate of data from equipment and networks, data analysis, updating databases, and developing and distributing messages; management and reconfiguration to include the configuration of the network device, processing incoming data, generating and evaluating alternative responses, and implementing an appropriate response; spectral planning and control; and safety.
Standardized Integrated Command Post Systems (SICPS) fully deployed with its shelters, vehicles and trailers
Network Integration Kit
Following the cancellation of the FCS program, the Army continued to develop and deploy a gradually increasing ground-based tactical network across all Army Brigade Combat (Tactical) Groups (BCTs). This network is a layered system of interconnected computers and software (software), radio stations and sensors in these BCT groups. The network is important in terms of leveraging Combat Command's capabilities and will be delivered to Army Brigade Groups with continually improving performance. Phase 1 (Part 1) is currently finishing development and operational testing and will be delivered to infantry brigades in the form of network integration kits (B-kits).
Soldiers in each echelon from brigade to squad will receive data from the appropriate sensors and radio relay stations to ensure appropriate situational awareness on the battlefield. The network is being tested and evaluated in the joint operational space to ensure that communications systems can be integrated with combined arms agencies and with American allies.
The Network Integration Kit (NIK) is an integrated set of equipment on the HMMWV Jeep that provides connectivity and software for integrating and merging sensor data into a common live image displayed in the FBCB2 system. The NIK consists of an integrated computer system that includes combat command software and software for the general operating space of the "super system", JTRS GMR radios to interface with sensors and automatic systems, and communication systems for exchanging speech and data with other vehicles and soldiers.
The soldiers will be able to exchange information with the battalion's combat operations center, sending reports on the enemy, his activity and location, using the NIK kit and the network to make tactical decisions, separated in time.
