Joint command and control on the move (C2OTM)

Mobile warfighters at every echelon seek to benefit from modern communication methods promising true broadband, on-the-move (OTM) satellite access to the same information services as might he available at a fixed command post. A highly scalable, network-centric, joint warfighter oriented capability has been developed by the United States Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) Joint Systems Integration Command (JSIC), in partnership with industry, for use by the United States Army V Corps when deployed as Multi-National Force-Iraq (MNC-I) in Operation Iraqi Freedom. It addresses the challenge of closing the wide capability gap which has previously existed. This novel approach is built upon commercial, Kit-band, code division multiple access (CDMA) techniques employing random return channel access and efficient frequency reuse techniques to support a highly secure, Internet protocol (IP) based, network architecture fully interoperable with today's systems. This paper examines the specific technical implementation of this capability and an assessment of its utility to the warfighter.