Deployment of the Defense Message System in the tactical environment

Command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence for the warrior (C4IFTW) architectures are being designed to provide an information infrastructure that is transparent to the warriors, but accessible by them anywhere they are deployed. This paper discusses the planning, engineering and implementation activities for deploying the Defense Message System (DMS) into the battlespace for the warrior, focusing on Joint Task Force (JTF) deployments. There are significant technical and procedural challenges associated with providing DMS capabilities to the highly mobile warfighter, by inserting several new protocols into a limited bandwidth environment. The Defense Information Systems Agency's (DISA) DMS Program Management Office (PMO) is defining solutions to meet these challenges, relying on tactical communicators and industry for assistance.