Four future trends In tactical network modernization

Our adversaries possess increasingly sophisticated communications and information technology (IT), allowing them to leverage advanced wireless technology and smartphones while actively moving in ground vehicles. They are also able to execute cyber and electronic warfare attacks in tactical settings that can cause substantial, intermittent and lasting damage to U.S. defense forces’ ability to communicate.U.S. forces continue to advance their tactical networks to counter these emerging threats, enable new forms of maneuver and maintain integration with military IT services available stateside—all while taking advantage of rapid innovation from the commercial IT industry. Specific to network modernization, communicating securely with command-and-control and other units within the increasingly communications-reliant battlefront landscape is critical to ensure the success of the mission and the safety of warfighters. However, as the battlefield evolves and missions require units to be mobile and support myriad tactical capabilities (Wi-Fi, LTE [Long Term Evolution, a standard for high-speed wireless communication for mobile devices and data terminals], etc.), critical communications infrastructures are becoming more difficult to establish and maintain. Additionally, innovations in the cloud, “internet of things,” sensors, robotic and autonomous systems, analytics, artificial intelligence and deep learning are driving tactical network developers to consider deploying warfighting systems that are highly reliant on high-performance computing and storage. Yet, in the face of potentially degraded communications, those resources may only be available if deployed all the way out to the individual warfighter or small teams conducting operations in austere and hostile environments, such as forward operating bases or combat vehicles—locations known as the tactical network’s edge.