DISN Deployed Pilot Network

The Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) is the telecommunications infrastructure that provides end-to-end information transfer for all types of military operations. DISN Deployed is that portion of the DISN which supports the deployed warfighter by providing connectivity to the sustaining base in the continental United States and elsewhere. The DISN Deployed Pilot Network (DDPN) project is intended to provide flexible, affordable communications support to deployed, tactical CINC/JTF users. The pilot network approach allows feedback from operational users on operational utility of upcoming systems, development of valid plans and system designs and a near term operational capability. The DDPN will demonstrate and implement capabilities that make more efficient use of limited military satellite bandwidth (particularly for bursty user traffic such as router traffic), to use other media (such as commercial satellites) to augment this bandwidth and to improve interoperability. Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switches and satcom network control equipment will be installed in the deployed facilities of tactical participants The combination of ATM control, and use of the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) and commercial satellites will provide a responsive approach for real time communication resource management by the deployed Joint Task Force (JTF) commander. The system also provides a seamless interface to the strategic DISN network (which is migrating to ATM). At the conclusion it is expected that the systems could be used operationally.