MARS volunteer tests new technologies

Army Communicator, Fall, 2004 by John Scoggin

The military's Single-Channel Ground-Air Radio System very high frequency frequency modulation radio system is limited to line-of-sight propagation. While the range can be extended through the use of repeaters, this has proven to be a challenge in today's rapidly shifting battlefield. In the domestic support arena, these military radios are largely incompatible with most radio systems used by police, fire, and emergency management agencies.

The SINCGARS Wide Area Network project has the objective of linking military and civilian radio networks together with the Public Switched Telephone Network, Defense Switched Network, and military tactical telephone nets through the use of Internet technologies. To accomplish this, a commercially-available Voice-over-Internet-Protocol product is mated with off-the-shelf audio patching systems to provide a flexible system capable of linking these networks using the Defense Department's Global Information Grid (the military Internet).

SWAN was demonstrated during Grecian Firebolt in the MARS Emergency Communications unit in a simulated Force Protection scenario. SINCGARS data was digitized, using COTS VOIP equipment, and delivered via NIPRNET and VHF radio from Fort Derrick to Fort Meade.

This was done by using Internet Protocol to link the FM radio net to a conference with participants communicating over a standard commercial telephone, a military tactical telephone DNVT, or Digital Non-secure Voice Terminal, and a MARS VHF repeater. This is an impressive range for a VHF radio network, and is remarkable technology. By digitizing SINCGARS data, it can be sent by satellite anywhere in the world using IP. And because the call was placed into a patch unit, it allowed us to link that net into other radio nets or telephone lines.

This was a team effort involving soldiers and civilians from the 311th Theater Signal Command, NETCOM and Army MARS.

John Scoggin is a volunteer with the U.S. Army Military Affiliate Radio System. He serves as the MARS Automation Coordinator, and is the Assistant Coordinator for Emergency Operations for the Eastern Area. Scoggin participated in at least three Grecian Firebolt exercises, which offered him the opportunity to test new technology, equipment configurations and procedures.