JTRS and FCS synchronization

Army Communicator, Fall, 2006 by Carole Best

What is JTRS? Why is it important?

Joint Tactical Radio System is the wireless communications capability that will provide the warfighter with new network capabilities and services delivered through the Global Information Grid. JTRS enables this capability through the use of advanced networking waveforms using mobile ad-hoc networking to link sensors, effectors, and command and control nodes throughout the battlespace. Transformation of the Department of Defense is dependent on linking these disparate network elements into a coherent, end-to-end architecture throughout the battlespace.

The JTRS radio systems along with their auxiliary capabilities such as network management, advanced networking waveforms, and networking services comprise the overall JTRS Program. Managed by Dennis Bauman and a host of joint service Program Managers and Product Managers, headquartered from the United States Navy's

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SPAWAR facilities in San Diego, the program has embarked on an incremental path that reduces risk to program cost and schedule while preserving critical requirements for the warfighter. Additionally, the program is charged with delivering the radio systems with the necessary security and information assurance capabilities to protect national security interests.

There are three different domains of radios currently under development for the JTRS program. The Ground Mobile Radio consists of radios mounted on mobile platforms such as the Abrams, Bradley, and Stryker vehicles. The Handheld, Manpack, and Small-form-factor PdM is developing two channel handhelds and manpacks and a number of radios for dismounted Soldiers, small platforms, sensors, and weapons systems. Finally, the Airborne, Maritime, and Fixed Station PM is developing radios to support ships, aircraft, and fixed DoD facilities. These different programs are in various stages in the developmental process but will all use the common networking waveforms, management system and services.

How does JTRS fit into the transformation of DoD and the Army?

The FCS program will be the first program to widely use these new JTRS radio systems. FCS is developing a future, more capable, Brigade Combat Team from the ground up. This BCT will employ a series of manned and unmanned ground vehicles, unmanned air vehicles, unattended ground sensors, and munitions coupled with a network consisting of Battle Command capabilities, a Systems of Systems Common Operating Environment (providing services), and a transport layer that uses products from the Army's Warfighter Information Network-Tactical and the JTRS programs. In addition, the network uses common DoD standards and will be on each of the FCS platforms as well as current program platforms supporting the FCS BCT. (See Figure 2.)

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The FCS program Future Brigade Combat Teams will field complete BCTs with these systems in the year 2016. In the interim, the program will conduct three spin outs of equipment to the current Force Heavy BCTs and Infantry BCTs. These spin outs are designed to use matured FCS technologies, in support of current, on-going operations. Spin outs will be fielded and tested in an Experimental BCT to be stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. The EBCT will take the spin out products through all the testing and evaluation events leading to a production decision. The spin out products will then be fielded to designated current force units. Spin Out 1 incorporates munitions, sensors, early FCS Battle Command, and JTRS, GMR, and HMS radios.

The FCS and JTRS programs have conducted extensive collaboration over the past six months to establish synchronization milestones for the integration of various JTRS radio systems into FCS platforms. This was especially challenging for SO 1 because it is scheduled to field to current force units beginning in fiscal year 2010. COL (P) Tom Cole, deputy program manager FC5, leads the effort to synchronize schedules between the various programs. As the result of these efforts the SO 1 systems have a way ahead that uses JTRS and surrogate radios in the interim with migration plans to JTRS radios. Deliveries of pre-engineering development models of GMR radios have been made to the FCS program and are currently being used at the FCS Systems of Systems Integration Lab in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Where are we now?

FCS successfully completed its Interim Program Design Review in August and is on track for its Program Design Review in FY08. The JTRS program is on track to deliver a transport capability with new networking waveforms to FCS. The program is working towards the delivery of current baseline capabilities while the TRADOC Systems Manager for Tactical Radios is now looking at the requirements to be included in the next JTRS increment.

Enhanced Position Location Reporting System

Land Warrior

In July, the Land Warrior ensemble incorporating the Enhanced Position Location Reporting System Microlight radio successfully completed an assessment of doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leader development, personnel, and facilities. Successful completion of the assessment paved the way for Limited User Testing at Fort Lewis, Wash., in September 2006.