Assessment and Analysis of Tactical Communications in a Net-Centric Environment

This paper presents a methodology that is designed to assess and analyze tactical communications networks to determine whether or not they are in compliance with DoD guidance regarding network centric warfare. The methodology is part of the Department of Defense (DoD) capability-focused, effects-based, Information Technology (IT) and National Security System (NSS) interoperability process. The focus of the paper is on the assessment and analysis phase of this process. The Warfighter Information Network - Tactical (WIN-T) is used as an example to illustrate the methodology. The WIN-T program establishes a single integrating net-centric framework to design, develop, produce, and field the Army tactical Global Information Grid (GIG). Challenges faced by WIN-T in conducting tactical communications in a Net-Centric Environment (NCE) are described and WIN-T's solutions to those challenges are presented. A conclusion is drawn that support for the net-centric warfare concept requires the development of an integrated Operational, Systems, Technical, and All Views architecture that adequately addresses all internal and external system information exchanges. It is essential that this architecture be employed and updated throughout all phases of system development and refinement.