Joint Network Management System

Army Communicator, Spring, 2004

(AN/USQ-176 (V) 1, 2 and 3)

The JNMS is Acquisition Category level III Joint program that provides an automated network planning and management capability to joint tactical communications network planners/managers at Combatant Commands, Combatant Command Service components, Joint Task Forces, and JTF Service components. It integrates the capabilities of Commercial Off-The-Shelf, Government Off-The-Shelf and some developmental software to meet network planning and management deficiencies identified by the Combatant Commands. It will replace the interim system, the Joint Defense Information Infrastructure Control System--Deployed, now fielded to the warfighting Combatant Commanders. It provides the means for timely decisions and synchronization of communication assets to support mission requirements, adds flexibility to better support the commander's intent, improves situational awareness by providing a common view of the network and provides a capability to better utilize scarce resources to optimize the capacity of the network and support the fight.

There are three versions of the JNMS being developed. The versions are distinguished by the level of functionality provided. Versions 1 and 3 have a monitoring and security capability. Version 2 has the full JNMS capability which includes planning, monitoring and reconfiguration, fault management and security and is accredited for use on secret networks. Version 1 has a National Security Agency approved one-way fiber modem that can be used with unclassified networks to forward status information to a version 2 system. This provides a capability to display both unclassified and secret network situational awareness information on one system. Version 3 was specifically developed for use on Top Secret networks. Its possible usage for coalition networks is currently being investigated.

JNMS is in the final stages of the System Development and Demonstration phase of the acquisition life cycle having successfully completed its Functional Qualification Testing in December 2003. It is now undergoing its Operational Testing at three sites--Fort Monmouth, N.J.; Norfolk, Va.; and Tampa, Fla. The sponsoring combatant command is U.S. Joint Forces Command. The test consists of personnel from the Army, Air Force, Marine and Joint Communications Support Element and Navy augmentation at the JFCOM Global C4 Communications Center.

JNMS is scheduled for a formal Milestone C decision in April 2004 with the Milestone Decision Authority, Program Executive Office for Command, Control, and Communications Tactical. This decision will authorize entry into the Production and Deployment phase of the acquisition life cycle and also allow the Services to support fielding in 4QFY04. A Full Rate Production decision and formal Materiel Release would be sought after the final Operational Test Report is published and before the start of fielding. Fielding is scheduled to begin in September 2004 for approved U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command units. Army units down to and including Corps Signal Brigades are scheduled to receive the JNMS, with the 35th Signal Brigade schedule to be the Army's first JNMS fielded unit.

The Product Manager for Communication Management Systems is now conducting New Equipment Introductory Briefings for units scheduled to receive the JNMS. The NMIBs provide the gaining commands with operational, training and support information as well as laying out responsibilities for the gaining command during their fielding.

The Army requested that the Inter-Service Training Review Organization conduct a study to determine the feasibility of conducting JNMS resident training for all Services at one location. The first phase of the study was completed in October 2003. The final phase is scheduled to be conducted in May 2004. The Army has recommended establishing the course at the U.S. Army Signal Center, Fort Gordon, Ga.

For further information on JNMS, contact CPT Quentin Smith or Billy Rogers, TSM WIN-T, (706) 791-2721/2334 or DSN 780-2721/2334. Email addresses are smithql@gordon.army.mil or rogersb@gordon.army.mil.

ACRONYM QUICKSCAN

ACAT--JNMS is Acquisition Category

CENTCOM--U. S. Central Command

COTS--Commercial Off-The-Shelf

FRP--Full Rate Production

FQT--Functional Qualification Testing

GCCC--Global C4 Communications Center.

GOTS--Government Off-The-Shelf

ITRO--Inter-Service Training Review Organization

JCSE--Joint Communications Support Element

JDIICS--Joint Defense Information Infrastructure Control System--Deployed

JTF--Joint Task Forces

JNMS--Joint Network Management System

MDA--Milestone Decision Authority

NMIBs--New Equipment Introductory Briefings

NSA--National Security Agency

OT--Operational Testing

PEO C3T--Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications Tactical

PdM CMS--Product Manager for Communication Management Systems

SOCOM--Special Operations Command

USJFCOM--U.S. Joint Forces Command