Traditional tactical communications systems consist of a number of separate subsystems with little interworking between them and with external sensors and weapons systems. Combat net radio (CNR) has provided the high-mobility communications required by combat troops, while trunk communications systems have provided high-capacity communications between headquarters at the expense of mobility. The focus of this book is on new, information-age technologies that promise to offer seamless integration of real-time data sharing, creating a single logical network architecture to facilitate the movement of data throughout the battlespace. Because the structure of this network is constrained by the fundamental trade-off between range, mobility and capacity that applies to all communications systems, this network is unlikely to be based on a single network technology. This book presents an architecture for this network, and shows how its subsystems can be integrated to form a single logical network.

This authoritative new resource explores the communications aspect of electronic warfare and presents the major technical issues that drive the practice of land EW to help practitioners with their work in the field. The book offers a detailed understanding of the structure of tactical communications electronic warfare systems, the relationship between these systems and their targets, and the likely future development path of land electronic warfare. Written in a clear, easy-to-understand style, with accessible descriptions of tactical communications EW techniques, the book is a useful reference for technical and non-technical professionals alike.

This authoritative new resource explores the communications aspect of electronic warfare and presents the major technical issues that drive the practice of land EW to help practitioners with their work in the field. The book offers a detailed understanding of the structure of tactical communications electronic warfare systems, the relationship between these systems and their targets, and the likely future development path of land electronic warfare. Written in a clear, easy-to-understand style, with accessible descriptions of tactical communications EW techniques, the book is a useful reference for technical and non-technical professionals alike.

In response to a request from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the committee studied a range of issues to help identify what strategies the Department of Defense might follow to meet its need for flexible, rapidly deployable communications systems. Taking into account the military's particular requirements for security, interoperability, and other capabilities as well as the extent to which commercial technology development can be expected to support these and related needs, the book recommends systems and component research as well as organizational changes to help the DOD field state-of-the-art, cost-effective untethered communications systems. In addition to advising DARPA on where its investment in information technology for mobile wireless communications systems can have the greatest impact, the book explores the evolution of wireless technology, the often fruitful synergy between commercial and military research and development efforts, and the technical challenges still to be overcome in making the dream of "anytime, anywhere" communications a reality.