JTRS program restructuring

Army Communicator, Spring, 2006 by Carole N. Best

In July 2005 the Joint Tactical Radio System program underwent Defense Acquisition Board review. In August 2005 the JTRS Joint Program Executive Office submitted a proposal to the Department of Defense which detailed the management of all JTRS Cluster efforts with the intent of achieving near-term success by delivering usable capabilities to the field now while pursuing the long-term goal of fielding a complete, interoperable, software-defined radio over time. On Nov. 22, 2005, the JTRS JPEO presented three restructuring options to the members of the DAB.

The DAB "Group of 12" examined implementation expediency, cost, and technical risks with the goal of discovering an affordable option to get capability to the field earlier. Option 3 was selected and funded for restructuring the JTRS program. The focus of Option 3 support Future Combat Systems Spin Out 1 and Modularity. It will ensure joint interoperability. Option 3 will be resourced by converting Operational Procurement (A, N, etc.,) funds to research, development, testing, and evaluation dollars. The services will split the cost of developing Option 3 equally.

Option 3: Transformational Plus Legacy Capabilities

The following are the capabilities delivered by each program under Option 3:

* JTRS delivers all of the prioritized capability called out JCS per the Sept. 30, 2005, baseline.

* Ground vehicle delivers production (Low Rate Initial Production) units with Wideband Networking Waveform-increment 1, Soldier Radio Waveform, SINCGARS with INC, EPLRS, HF, and SATCOM in the first Quarter 2011. Though this is much later than the FCS need date for LRIPs, it does have all the capabilities required for FCS integrated into the JTRS.

* The two-channel ManPack and HandHeld delivers with SRW, SINCGARS with INC, EPLRS, and SATCOM. Small Form Factors will be delivered with SRW, Land Warrior Form Factor with SRW, SINCGARS with INC, and EPLRS. The SFF unit's deliveries are within one year of the FCS scheduled need dates. This capability includes the ability to carry both secure and unclassified data (Type 1 and 2 SRW).

* The MIDS-J delivers the Link 16 variant in 2008 and the Link 16, JAN-TE and the Havequick variant by 2009.

* The ARC 210 FF for rotary wing (WNW, SRW, SINCGARS with INC, and Link 16). Fixed wing includes Mobile User Objective System. LRIP units will be available in late 2011.

JTRS Support to Future Combat System

The FCS Program received the first delivery of Joint Tactical Radio System Cluster 1 pre-engineering, development, model radios on Jan. 24, 2006. The initial waveform set included the SINCGARS waveform and the Wideband Networking Waveform-increment 1. Updates to operational software and waveform upgrades will be provided with FCS radio deliveries scheduled to take place in August 2006.

The WNW gives the radios Internet-like capabilities on the move, uses common Internet Protocol-based networking concepts, and new mobile ad-hoc networking technology to integrate voice, video, and data communications. The WNW enables JTRS radios to provide secure, self-forming, and self-healing connections to other nodes on the network. It will ultimately enable connectivity with the global information grid thereby extending advanced networking services and information access to warfighters anywhere in the world.

The basic JTRS radio configuration being delivered to the FCS program has been successfully operated in multiple demonstrations over the past six months. These demonstrations have shown multi-channel operation, simultaneous waveform operation, and interoperability with currently fielded radios.

Enhanced Position Location Reporting System

The Enhanced Position Location Reporting System fielding continues. Initial fielding of assets, with an improved version of the EPLRS Network Control Station now called the EPLRS Network Manager to the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Fort Lewis, Wash., has been completed. Initial fielding efforts are underway in support of fielding to SBCT-5 (2/25) and SBCT-6 (56/28ID).

New Equipment Training contractors are providing on-site training of the operation of the EPLRS radio sets and the ENM planning suite. The ENM supports the Army's transformation initiatives and the warfighter by providing a network control system that requires fewer operators and has a smaller footprint than the current NCS-E. Retrofits of existing EPLRS-equipped units such as the 4th

Infantry Division and SBCT-1 are completed. Ongoing actions to retrofit the 1CAV and SBCT-2 continue. This will complete retrofits of previously fielded units. EPLRS is one of the key data communications backbones supporting the Army's tactical Internet and Air Defense Artillery sensors, as well as unit weapons systems. All future fieldings will include the ENM instead of the NCS-E.

Present status of the Army deliveries is approximately 11,000 radio sets. The JTRS waiverable ceiling remains at 12,896 radios sets. DA redistribution of assets has resulted in fielding support for the 4ID, 1st Cavalry, the Stryker BCTs, and National Guard units which support Operation CLEAR SKIES. Additional quantities to support fielding of SBCT-7 and the remaining divisions will require further redistribution and/or additional quantity buys.