C4i-Enabling Tactical Intercom Solutions for Modern Military Platforms

SPECIAL REPORT

C4i Enabling Tactical Intercom Solutions

Published by Global Business Media

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C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

SPECIAL REPORT

Next Generation C4i Enabling Tactical Intercom Solutions

Contents Foreword

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Tom Cropper, Editor

The Technical and Operational Effectiveness of Next- 3 Generation Tactical Intercom Communication Systems Mikael Westerlund, CTO, Savox Communications

Published by Global Business Media

Tactical Military Communications – an Evolving Landscape

Published by Global Business Media

Tom Cropper, Editor

Global Business Media Limited 62 The Street Ashtead Surrey KT21 1AT United Kingdom

Making Tactical Communications Fighting Fit for the 21st Century

Switchboard: +44 (0)1737 850 939 Fax: +44 (0)1737 851 952 Email: info@globalbusinessmedia.org Website: www.globalbusinessmedia.org

Jo Roth, Staff Writer

Publisher Kevin Bell

James Butler, Staff Writer

Business Development Director Marie-Anne Brooks

C4i Communications and the Future

Editor Tom Cropper Senior Project Manager Steve Banks Advertising Executives Michael McCarthy Abigail Coombes

Developing the Next Generation of C4i Communications Equipment

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Cobham TCS

An Uncertain Trend in a Highly Competitive Market

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Essential Features When Buying and Selling New Systems in the 21st Century

Cover image: Finnish Navy’s new U700-class amphibious assault craft, Watercat M18 AMC. Savox received a contract in 2014 to supply and install IMP systems aboard 12 of these vessels, which are being delivered to the Finnish Navy’s Marine Infantry troops by Marine Alutech during the 2014-2016 timeframe. (Photo: Rolls Royce).

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Cobham – Delivering Next Generation Systems Today 16

Mary Dub, Staff Writer

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Tom Cropper, Editor

Production Manager Paul Davies

The opinions and views expressed in the editorial content in this publication are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the views of any organisation with which they may be associated.

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Don McBarnet, Staff Writer

British Bowman System Finally Operational After a Chequered History

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Don McBarnet, Staff Writer

The Future, Austerity, BRIC Countries and ‘The Pivot to Asia’

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Meredith Llewellyn, Lead Contributor

References

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© 2019. The entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright. Full details are available from the Publishers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. WWW.DEFENCEINDUSTRYREPORTS.COM | 1

C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

Foreword A

S EVERY good business leader knows,

a gap between what we can do in day to day life with

communication is one of their most vital

our smartphones and how the military works. Closing

tools. In the military world it’s increasingly being

this gap is a key focus of the modern military.

seen as a key weapon for the future of modern

Jo Roth will then look into the long, winding and

warfare. Their search for an effective tactical

sometimes tortuous road the military has taken in

communication system has been long and not

upgrading their communications. Past failures lead

without its setbacks. The trouble has not been the

to caution among procurement divisions. However,

available technological innovation, but taking it all

new thinking is helping to produce a new generation

and making it workable for the battlefield.

of intercom systems ideal for the 21st century.

In our opening article, Mikael Westerlund, CTO of

James Butler then looks more closely at the latest

Savox Communications, outlines the key factors which

economic and technological trends informing the

will determine how effective communications can be,

development of the next generation of C4i enabling

including battle resilience, connectivity and size. New

telecom systems, before we take a look into the future.

products such as their IMP tactical communications

The military is pinning its hopes on creative thinking

system are radically changing the way armies operate.

and the delivery of fast smartphone technology to

We then look more closely at just how important this

create an efficient, secure communications network

new technology can be. History is strewn with stories

for the future. This, it hopes, will improve operational

of military disasters caused by poor communications.

efficiency and, more importantly, save lives.

Today, more than ever before, the technology is available to spur dramatic improvements in tactical communications capabilities. Even so, there remains

Tom Cropper Editor

Tom Cropper has produced articles and reports on various aspects of global business over the past 15 years. He has also worked as a copywriter for some of the largest corporations in the world, including ING, KPMG and the World Wildlife Fund.

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C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

The Technical and Operational Effectiveness of Next-Generation Tactical Intercom Communication Systems Mikael Westerlund, CTO, Savox Communications

It makes no sense if a soldier has to operate switches on a C3 box placed under a seat, or has a display that needs to be read but is at the wrong angle to be seen WATERCAT M18 AMC EQUIPPED WITH IMP Savox received a contract in 2014 to supply and install IMP systems aboard the Finnish Navy’s new U700-class amphibious assault craft, Watercat M18 AMC, 12 of which are being delivered to the Finnish Navy’s Marine Infantry troops by Marine Alutech during the 2014-2016 timeframe. The Savox IMP system will enhance the interoperability of radios, communication amongst the crew and passengers of these assault craft in all operating environments and mission types, providing a versatile, flexible and reliable communications tool for the user. Under the contract Savox has provided the onboard command and control system with intercom capabilities and radio interconnection to a number of commercial as well as Government Furnished Radios and is also providing total life-cycle support and spare parts for these systems.

Introduction In almost every conceivable operational scenario in today’s uncertain world, individual military and security combatants need to be connected. They need to be networked effectively with colleagues, vehicles, supporting units and upper echelons, in order for the two-way exchange of critical tactical and situational information to take place. For this to happen, a versatile next-generation tactical intercom solution is needed, one that is capable of providing C3/C4I capabilities to individual operatives aboard any platform, on land, or at sea.

Operational Effectiveness Intercom systems have been around for a long time, keeping crew and commanders aboard tanks and self-propelled guns, armoured personnel carriers and armoured recon vehicles in

touch with each other at all times. They also have enabled the commander to switch to the tactical combat net beyond the vehicle, too. But it’s not only armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) that need a sophisticated tactical intercom C3 system to deliver an improved level of both intra- and extravehicular command, control and communications. B-vehicles of every description, whether ammunition resupply wagons, towed-artillery limbers, tank transporters, or jeeps, all need a C3/C4I solution. Maritime platforms, too, from the smallest, fastest rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RIBs) right up to littoral patrol craft and larger deep sea vessels have the same requirement – in almost every conceivable scenario, they all need a C3 system that connects the man to the platform and the platform to the battlefield. And with the dynamics in today’s theatres of combat involving more sophisticated weaponry, sensors, WWW.DEFENCEINDUSTRYREPORTS.COM | 3

C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

DISMOUNTED TROOPS ABOUT TO RE-MOUNT THEIR IFV Onboard an IMP-installed vehicle, each crew member has their own wearable PCU, rather than a platform-mounted central control unit. Each PCU is a lightweight, ergonomic device and, aided by voice menu prompts, gives each man full connectivity into the onboard IMP network and instant access to communications both inside the vehicle, as well as into the wider external radio network.

One of the most important factors to consider in a new tactical intercom installation is the battle damage resilience of the system

electronics and communications systems than ever before, greater demands are placed on every soldier. This makes it imperative for everyone – crew and commander alike – to be able to rely on a C3/C4I-enabling solution that not only keeps them up to date with what’s going on around them, but enables each man to feedback real-time info on the tactical situation through the tactical combat net, if required.

Operational Resilience One of the most important factors to consider in a new tactical intercom installation is the battle damage resilience of the system. This is the ability of the installation and equipment to withstand technical malfunction and battleinflicted damage and remain operational. Its system architecture is one of the key defining factors that will determine the level of battle damage resilience the system displays, something that must be designed into it from the start; it can’t be added as an afterthought. In the past, vehicle intercom systems have typically relied on a master control unit installed somewhere on the platform. Communications and all data functionality is disseminated from this centralised unit to different crew stations installed elsewhere on the vehicle, or boat, each of which has its own user controls to select radio access, VOX and other features. The drawback with such a ‘star’ configuration is that, should the master control unit fail, or suffer combat damage, then the whole C3/C4I installation will fail and be ineffective. To improve the battle damage resilience of an onboard system, getting away from a master control unit makes sense. Providing the crew with a solution that gives each of them their own personal control unit (PCU) with user-selectable

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functions to control access to the platform’s radios and intercom makes greater sense. It allows each man to plug into a distributed onboard system via universal interface ports mounted at strategic points around the vehicle. Each becomes an independent, fully-functioning intercoms and radio unit in its own right, while at the same time operating co-operatively to form the platform’s overall communications infrastructure. If one module fails for whatever reason, or part of the distributed cable is cut at any point on the platform, the rest of the system will carry on working. This allows the platform to maintain its operational capability for as long as possible – a graceful rather than sudden degradation – and even if all but one operative have been neutralised by enemy fire, the one remaining combatant will still have C3/C4I capabilities via his own remaining personal communications unit.

Space Matters While AFVs will require larger tactical intercom installations, the cabs of B-vehicles such as Pinzgauer, MAN or Oshkosh support vehicles can be crowded places and practical installation and space constraints mean intercom systems need to be compact. That doesn’t mean a compact C3 system need be any less capable, in terms of functionality, than a larger suite installed aboard an AFV. Indeed, new compact systems, which combine the comprehensive capabilities of larger intercom/C3 systems, but housed inside much more compact physical designs, are now available. This is a breakthrough, considering that logistics fleets have long been neglected in this regard; but today as never before they need to be as connected as any other vehicle on the battlefield if they are to operate in an optimum way to support their A-vehicle counterparts.

C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

THOR INSIDE PATRIA IFV As with core IMP modules, Universal Interface Ports (UIPs) and Universal Radio Ports (URPs) are both fundamental interfaces holding any IMP/IMP-CH network together and to which individual PCUs connect, so each mounted soldier is connected to the vehicle C3 network.

Tight Fit Ergonomics

The Marine Environment

In the cramped interior of a typical military vehicle, mounting options can often be difficult to find. The smaller a C3 system is and the fewer controls it has, therefore, the better. This can also have the additional benefit of making an installation easier and less costly. But the most important factor is the usability of the system by the crew, bearing in mind that what works on the drawing board may not necessarily work in reality. Not only does it have to be installed in the right place, but using the system must be easy and intuitive; controls must be simple to operate and within easy reach, especially under extreme conditions. Everything from the initial equipment design to mounting options must be aimed at reducing stress and crew fatigue, which, in turn, will improve overall operational and combat efficiency. It makes no sense if a soldier has to operate switches on a C3 box placed under a seat, or has a display that needs to be read but is at the wrong angle to be seen. This is where the PCU comes into its own and forms an integral part of new compact C3 system designs from certain vendors. These units sit on a soldier’s chest with all the controls needed readily accessible for switching between internal intercom and external tactical frequencies and offering at least two-radio access without a user having to switch from one piece of equipment to another. This allows users to monitor a frequency without actually being an active participant in any radio traffic. And while all these attributes have graced the turrets and real estate of AFVs and larger fighting vehicles for many years, the same functionality and sophistication, though in more compact physical and ergonomic form, is now available to equip the oft-neglected, B-vehicle community in the future.

When it comes to maritime vessels, from the smallest Rigid-hulled Inflatable Boats (RIBs) to the largest naval vessels, the scenarios in which these craft operate place exceptional demands on the kind of C3/C4I-capable solution needed aboard. On an RIB, for example, operating in extreme conditions of high speeds, high seas, water everywhere and often under cover of darkness, the commander needs an intercom system that allows him to communicate with all his team and interoperate with all of the tactical radios in use onboard. The system also needs to integrate with the increasing range of navigational and battle management systems often in use on such craft. As a result, the trend is towards adopting modular, advanced digital intercom systems, versatile and adaptable enough for installation and configuration in even the tightest RIB environment where space is always an issue. To some extent, most modern command and control systems on the market are modular, with some relying on a master control station module for system control and power, while user modules provide lesser functionality needed by the crew. Other systems, on the other hand, build full functionality into the individual modules, so that each is a fully capable C3/C4I unit, as long as it has power. The overall system architecture inside a platform can be expanded easily through the simple addition of more independent modules. Being software-defined is also a huge benefit of these new systems, enabling upgrades and modification without the need for expensive hardware changes. One further advantage of such intercom systems is that a greater number of users and tactical radio technologies – analogue, digital, fixed frequency and frequency-hopping – can be supported compared to systems with centralised architectures.

When it comes to maritime vessels, from the smallest Rigid-hulled Inflatable Boats (RIBs) to the largest naval vessels, the scenarios in which these craft operate place exceptional demands on the kind of C3/C4I-capable solution needed aboard

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C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

IMP UNIVERSAL INTERFACE PORT Aboard larger vessels such as coastguard cutters, IMP can be installed over several decks of the ship, with UIPs to which crew PCUs connect, each of which can perform as an independent sub-system.

The most important factor is the usability of the system by the crew, bearing in mind that what works on the drawing board may not necessarily work in reality

The space constraints of an RIB can, however, narrow the choice of tactical intercom system further once the number of crew, their seating positions and their individual communications requirements to support their roles aboard, are considered. Some crew may only need intercom capabilities at their station. Others may need full intercom and C4I-connectivity to integrate with various onboard sensors and systems. Either way, the system installation needs to be physically achievable so that each man has the connectivity they need. Aboard larger naval vessels such as coastguard cutters, destroyers and even up to aircraft carriers, an effective new-generation tactical intercom C3/C4I-enabling system should be capable of delivering a multi-deck, resilient and flexible solution. It should be able to offer advanced digital features and functionality to suit the demanding and high-tech operational needs of even the largest maritime vessel, including interoperability with the multi-radio technologies typically found aboard advanced ships. That said, such a versatile system still needs to be easy to understand and use for all members of a crew.

The Savox IMP® and IMP-CH Systems – A Solid Pedigree Savox Communications has proven capabilities in the design, development, deployment and integration of onboard communication solutions for use in a wide range of land-based and maritime platforms. Its IMP, C4i-capable platform intercom system is a next-generation, lightweight, digital communications solution, which has been designed with many of the attributes described above, delivering the C3/ 6 | WWW.DEFENCEINDUSTRYREPORTS.COM

C4I-enabling needs of AFVs with its intercom, radio and data transmission capabilities in one solution; IMP solutions have been adopted by a number of high-profile defence users around the world.

Innovative Technology At IMP’s core is a digital Ethernet backbone providing high-capacity voice and data throughout an installed platform, whether land vehicle or marine craft. This ensures that the IMP family of products remains fully compliant with the needs of customers for platform digitisation and meets all the concept requirements for effective ‘Network-Centric Warfare’. Onboard an IMP-installed vehicle, each crew member has their own wearable PCU, rather than a platform-mounted central control unit. Each PCU is a lightweight, ergonomic device and, aided by voice menu prompts, gives each man full connectivity into the onboard IMP network and instant access to communications both inside the vehicle, as well as into the wider external radio network. The soldier is effectively the communications interface. The PCU incorporates a headset connector and can be used with a variety of different Savox and 3rd-party headsets. Unlike other systems, the PCU has two external radio PTTs to enable the operation of multiple radios and instant access to two radio networks; it also has a menu switch and an intercom PTT, as well as an optional CNR/ NBC connection facility. For smaller installations such as B-vehicles and RIBs, Savox has developed a compact IMP, or IMP-CH. Both IMP and IMP-CH have been designed to integrate/interoperate with other

C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

IMP-CH COMPACT INTERCOM SYSTEM Savox has standardised its IMP-CH compact intercom offering in a way that offers end users up to nine different variants of IMP-CH. As well as being suited to marmite platforms, through its versatile and compact format, IMP-CH has opened up full C3 connectivity on the battlefield to B-vehicle of all kinds, which previously had little or no means of onboard comms, or staying in contact with the AFVs they were meant to support.

onboard systems, such as Battle Management Systems, Navigation Systems, Engine Management and Video Systems. An IMP-CH installation will also use components already found in an IMP installation, including PCUs and speaker control units (SCUs). As with core IMP modules, Universal Interface Ports (UIPs) and Universal Radio Ports (URPs) are both fundamental interfaces holding any IMP/IMP-CH network together. Depending on what configuration of IMP-CH is required by any particular installation, one, two, or three UIPs and URPs can be provided. This highlights the different combinations and capabilities that can be achieved from a single IMP-CH module. The IMP Intercom solution has achieved stringent ISO 9001-2000 standards and meets a number of US DoD standards for use in harsh environmental and EMC-related conditions, as well as other MIL-STDs.

Commercial Successes – IMP in Use IMP has already been installed aboard maritime vessels, including RIBs and offshore multi-role craft with military units around the world. In one of its largest installations to date, aboard a coastguard cutter, IMP has been installed over all decks of the ship, with UIPs to which crew PCUs connect, each of which can perform as an

independent sub-system. The PCUs always stay with the same individuals as they move around the vessel or onto any of its tender boats. The specific configuration of the Savox IMP system on the vessel has a unique system-level design for ultimate battle resilience. It provides intercom voice and radio communications command and control capabilities, as well as a data conduit for high-speed data transfer (100Mbit/s). It can also deliver enhanced C4I capabilities, if needed. The PCUs incorporate a range of controls including radio and intercom PTT buttons, volume control and menu switch. The system also has a particularly small footprint onboard, which has made it easy to integrate into the ship’s design. On this particular vessel, the Savox system interoperates with up to 20 different types of analogue and digital commercial and military radio systems, including: maritime VHF, UHF, HF, TETRA, tactical military radios, SW and satcoms. In its most recent implementation, IMP has been chosen as the command and control system for a Minelayer Upgrade Programme. Factors about IMP, which secured the contract despite major competition, include IMP’s ease of integration and installation, and the ability to update, upgrade and expand the system through its software-defined design. Installation work is scheduled to be completed in 2017.

Savox Communications has proven capabilities in the design, development, deployment and integration of onboard communication solutions for use in a wide range of land-based and maritime platforms

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C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

Tactical Military Communications – an Evolving Landscape Tom Cropper, Editor

Why improved communications are crucial to the future operational efficiency of the modern military force.

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URING THE First World War, the German General Erich Ludendorff remarked: “The English fight like lions,” to which his staff officer replied: “Yes, but they are led by donkeys1.” It’s an opinion that, to this day, typifies the view of the British force during the Great War. Of all their many faults, though, the biggest affecting poor military leaders tend to be poor communications.

The Key to Success

Even in this age of high speed information technology, age old problems such as the shape of the landscape can still hinder communications

Take the example of the 1915 amphibious invasion of Gallipoli. The British General, Sir Ian Hamilton, believed the best position to oversee the battle was from a command ship based offshore – not the worst choice one might have thought. But he chose a vantage point with little clear overview of the battle and with dreadfully poor communications to the shore. As a result, the soldiers on the beaches were left to face the chaotic situation more or less alone. More recently, a US army patrol in the Hindu Kush mountains found itself 100kms away from base with radio communications blocked by mountainous terrain2. With the mountains looking unclimbable, they had to hike to a location in range of a friendly radio retransmission station, which helped them set up a secure lifeline back to their base. It was only then that the patrol began to feel more comfortable. Both these examples show the crucial role communications can play in war, and that even in this age of high speed information technology, age old problems such as the shape of the landscape can still hinder communications. The goal of communications is also exactly the same as it ever has been – right back to the age of antiquity – to provide direct, clear and secure communication between army commanders and their troops on the ground. What has changed is the nature of warfare; the technical challenges of providing

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secure communication have evolved, and the available technology has improved. The goal of the modern military is to find a way to adapt to changing demands, to improve the efficiency, speed and reliability of communications, and find a way of adapting the latest mobile communications technology that most of us already take for granted.

Catching up with Consumers It is this third point which is perhaps the key to development. We live in a world of high speed communication – a place where a person can speak instantly with a friend living on the other side of the world. They can send text, images, audio and video straight away at the touch of a button. They can draw up instant information about their location and find maps to places they are looking to get to – all by checking their smartphones. Set against this, even the most advanced modern military machines often look as though they are stuck in the stone-age. Radio communications may have evolved considerably, but they are still lacking when it comes to the demands of modern warfare. For example, when speaking to Gizmodo, Doran Michels, Program Manager for DARPA’s Transformative Apps program, complained about the state of maps in the military. “It’s really strange,” he told the publication, “because in 2014, if you were to accompany, let’s say, a Marine patrol on a really scary, highly complex mission, they’re going to have paper maps, pencils, acetate, transparencies with magic markers [for] ‘John Madden drawings.’3 John Madden, for those who don’t know, is the American Sports commentator famed for drawing complex diagrams over TV Football replays. In other words, soldiers are using map reading technology which would not have been entirely unfamiliar to soldiers in the Second World War.

C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

A FINNISH COASTAL JAEGER (THE AMPHIBIOUS ARM OF THE FINNISH NAVY) WEARING A SAVOX IMP HEADSET CONNECTED TO HIS IMP PERSONAL CONTROL UNIT (PCU), WHICH IS A LIGHTWEIGHT AND ERGONOMIC VOICEPROMPTED UNIT PROVIDING CONTROL OF INTERCOM FUNCTIONS AND INSTANT ACCESS TO TWO TACTICAL RADIOS.

Technology and a Changing Military Given the changing nature of modern warfare, it’s understandable that the army wants to close the gap between the kind of mobile communications a solder might experience in the civilian world and those that he might use in the battlefields. Today’s military is more mobile, more connected, working across longer distances, operating more remotely and facing a very different enemy. The days of two relatively modern armies facing one another are in the past. Today’s warfare is conducted against small cells of terrorists – groups of people hidden in the shadows. It’s a much more secretive and slippery enemy to handle. Furthermore, the appetite of major powers for boots on the ground is diminishing. After Iraq and Afghanistan, the move is towards interventions based on air power and remote drone attacks such as we’ve seen in Libya and Syria. This more complex type of warfare increases the need for a sophisticated support system. Strategic communications must deliver instant up-to-date information, graphics or video content and if possible, local information. It needs a secure core communications system capable of working on land, sea and air and connecting troops on the ground with leaders at base and in other locations.

This need has driven the emergence – over the past few years – of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology which has become a standard around the world. This enables the move from a system based on command and control (C2) to Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4i). The result is communications which are faster, more secure, standardised and provide commanders with more real-time information from multiple locations. It means a network which can connect troops with a number of locations, enhancing the range of support services which can be delivered to troops on the ground. The arrival of this technology is heralding a significant increase in the capabilities and operational effectiveness of the modern military machine. Even so, there is much work to be done. Existing technology must be adapted from the consumer world for use in the hostile environment of the battlefield. New technology will also have to be adaptable to existing systems. The military has a tendency to veer towards legacy operational systems, which can make integrating new functionalities challenging. Overcoming these barriers will be critical to the success of developers in ensuring new technologies work in the real world.

Today’s military is more mobile, more connected, working across longer distances, operating more remotely and facing a very different enemy

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C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

Making Tactical Communications Fighting Fit for the 21st Century Jo Roth, Staff Writer

How the military’s long search for a communications system suitable for modern military needs is finally coming to an end.

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The Chowkay Valley incident, and others like it, reveals the limitations of many traditional tactical communications tools

N 2010, with relatively little fanfare, the US Government quietly dropped the bulk of its much vaunted Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS) project. Despite billions having been spent over the years, the results had been bitterly disappointing leading some to ask whether the military would ever manage to develop a tactical communications capability. Now, though, fresh technology is coming to market, which, finally, is starting to realise the revolutionary improvements the army needs.

Past Failures The failure of the JTRS was a major blow. Nicknamed appropriately Jitters, the aim was to replace the army’s existing radio capabilities with software defined radios which could swiftly upload new frequencies instead of requiring multiple radio types embedded within military vehicles. The concept was sound, but the end product was disappointing. Costs overran. The program managed to burn through $6billion4 without producing much in the way of workable hardware. That which it did produce was poor and the army had to spend $11 billion5 on out-of-date radio systems, just to be ready for the Iraq and Afghan wars. It has been far from an isolated incident. Indeed, a look at the history of US development in this area has been one of consistent failure. A study by Harvard Business School found that “major defense programs still require more than 15 years to deliver less capability than planned, often at two to three times the planned cost.”6 A 2010 report noted that the army spends more than a billion dollars annually on projects which are ultimately cancelled . Part of the difficulty has been the immense technical challenges involved. Creating a large and secure data network is a major challenge. Maintaining wireless communication in the many

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different hostile environments that armed forces may encounter is also a major undertaking. For example, in an urban environment, transmission signals can easily be blocked or interrupted by buildings. Mountainous terrain can also block radio signals.

Compatibility Issues Furthermore, compatibility is a major challenge. Any unit would have to be suitable to a range of different functions. This can be challenging as the size and design of radios often depends on the tasks they will be undertaking. For example, a radio for broadcasting to a distant headquarters will have to be large enough to accommodate a large antenna. This may compromise storage and mobility. The task for finding one system suitable for all eventualities is daunting. It is, though, a goal the military is determined to realise – it has to. The consequences of inadequate equipment can be severe. In 2010, soldiers from US Army Taskforce Rock found themselves ambushed by Taliban fighters as they drove into Afghanistan’s Chowkay Valley. Their mission was to support a reconstruction team as it met with local village leaders, but they were unable to move from their position. The problem was their radios. They had several different units for different tasks; for talking with the reconstruction team they had short range models while for headquarters 25 miles away they had longer range models and a back-up satellite radio in case the mountains blocked their transmissions. Another air force controller, meanwhile, carried his own radio to talk with jet fighters overhead and yet another radio downloaded video from the aircraft overhead. What’s more, some only worked while soldiers were stationary and others were too cumbersome to operate on the move!

C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

SAVOX IMP OFFERS A LIGHTWEIGHT ETHERNET BASED DIGITAL SOLUTION WHERE THE MAN IS THE COMMUNICATION INTERFACE. CONFIGURABLE AND SCALABLE THE SYSTEM CAN BE CONFIGURED FOR SMALL CREWS ON RIBS, OR INSTALLED IN A MULTI-DECK ARCHITECTURE ABOARD LARGE VESSELS.

The Chowkay Valley incident, and others like it, reveals the limitations of many traditional tactical communications tools. Increasingly the equipment at forces’ disposal appears inadequate for the demands of modern warfare. These demands are evolving rapidly. The enemy is changing – more often than not it is no longer a case of state versus state. Instead the enemy is likely to be a small terrorist cell, dangerous and elusive. The nature of warfare is changing – units are likely to travel further and over larger distances. The move towards air warfare as opposed to boots on the ground intervention also increases the need for multiple fighting forces including air crew, navy, command centres and any ground personnel to have access to the same information at the touch of a button. The military is having some success in delivering. Recent years have seen VoIP based technologies help armies move towards integrated, secure and resilient communications systems capable of delivering C4i capabilities. Different vehicles and units can be connected seamlessly by the same single communications. Commanders receive better information faster,

which also allows them to issue more effective orders more quickly. Much of this has been made possible by adopting the characteristics of small and medium sized businesses (SMEs). By doing so, the military can leverage the huge reserve of technological innovation and talent which exists within the wider commercial marketplace and transform that for use on the battlefield. Doing so is no mean feat. Units will need to be packaged within rugged casings capable of withstanding the worst that the hostile combat environment can throw at it. Systems’ architecture needs to be more resilient to battle damage and be capable of continuing to function even when equipment has been compromised. Data networks will be crucial in facilitating a more connected and mobile communications architecture, but all these will be vulnerable to hacking attacks. Creating networks which are entirely secure is crucial to the success of the entire system. The challenges are severe, and they have not been fully overcome by any means. However, technology is coming to market which is turning the dream of a modern communications network into a reality.

Recent years have seen VoIP based technologies help armies move towards integrated, secure and resilient communications systems capable of delivering C4i capabilities

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C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

Developing the Next Generation of C4i Communications Equipment James Butler, Staff Writer

Why the next generation of C4i enabled communications systems are becoming so important to militaries around the world.

The 2015 budget announced cuts of 1.5% to overall military spending, much of which could be borne by equipment manufacturers

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OUGH ECONOMIC times force companies and organisations of all sizes to make important decisions and focus on what is truly important to their strategy. This is the challenge facing most of the world’s largest military powers. Since the economic crisis of 2008, money has been tight – in Europe and the US, budgets have been in decline forcing the military to be more sparing in what it buys. At the same time, it still needs to invest in creating a modern, effective military machine capable of coping with the new demands of global security. C4i has become one of the core focuses of military leaders. Recent figures from Forecast International suggest the C4i market could grow from $8.186bn in 2016 to $8.678bn in 20178. Afterwards, the market is likely to undergo a slight decline up to 2025, attributable in part, to a number of large scale projects being completed. Any growth the market does experience in coming years will be all the more notable given the wider backdrop of austerity in which it is working. For the most part, countries in the Western NATO alliance are cutting back on military spending. The UK is one of the few still publically committed to the goal of spending 2% of GDP on the military. Even so, its armed forces have been undergoing a prolonged period of contraction. The 2015 budget announced cuts of 1.5% to overall military spending, much of which could be borne by equipment manufacturers9. Although the UK has now promised to maintain its NATO commitment of spending 2% of GDP on defence, uncertainty remains over what form funding will take. Procurement divisions remain highly cautious. In the US the situation is, if anything, even tighter. In 2015, Congress reached a deal to strike $5billion10 from the defence budget.

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A Revolution in Communication Despite all this, investment in C4i continues. In 2012, the Royal Thai Airforce became the largest operational IP network communication system in the world. It consists of 20 operational sites scattered across the country, all of which are linked via an IP network to provide a system of systems solution. It allows every site in the country to work together in a single, large system. In the UK, the Bowman Communications system provides integrated digital voice and data technology to give secure communications over radio, telecom and tactical internet systems. This represents a step change over the previous Clansman family of radios in terms of security, reliability and resilience against electronic attack. However, the market is moving rapidly. No sooner do IP solutions appear on the scene than they are being upgraded and replaced. In 2015, for example, the MOD invited academics and businesses to help them find an upgrade for the Bowman. Increasing numbers of armies are moving from IP version 4 to IP version 611 to bring the latest technology to bear on their systems. The first wave of IP communications systems may have represented a step up from previous offerings, but they do have significant shortcomings. New technology is also coming online which offers superior performance. The most notable is the challenge of adapting new technology to the needs of the modern army. The military holds onto legacy equipment, which means new products require further interfacing to ensure compatibility with existing equipment and wavelengths as well as other technologies. Current products coming to market, therefore, are moving towards open standards which can connect with a range of equipment.

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An example of what the future holds can be seen with the IMP intercom system recently supplied by Savox to a customer in the Middle East. It is a lightweight, compact, digital communications platform which can support radio and data transmissions within one system across a range of land based vehicles and some maritime vessels. Each individual soldier wears a personal communications unit providing full connectivity into the IMP network. This allows instant communications both inside and outside the vehicle.

Major Demands The solution epitomises the major demands of any current system offering: • Resilience: All systems must be resilient to battle damage. A traditional package reliant on a master control system will be vulnerable if that control system is damaged or destroyed. Giving soldiers their own personalised control unit means they continue to have access to the network even if others are taken out. • Small Footprint: As units become more mobile, the same technological capabilities (or

better) within a smaller package are increasingly being looked for. New products are now coming to market which offer this function. • Snug fit: The ability to fit tightly into different vehicles will be important in maintaining effectiveness across a range of systems. • Flexibility: The system has been designed to interlink with a range of wavelength types and different communications technologies, allowing it to be incorporated into existing systems. The success of systems such as this has opened up a range of new options for militaries. It has allowed faster communications between command and soldiers on the ground providing quicker, better decisions. It offers connectivity across the full range of vehicles, and helps a unit as a whole become more flexible and mobile. It is a technology borne out of the ingenuity of smaller companies who offer the adaptability and nimbleness to react to the demands of their clients on a timelier basis. It is this approach which could help the military finally solve the problem of securing the perfect radio system.

The military holds onto legacy equipment, which means new products require further interfacing to ensure compatibility with existing equipment and wavelengths as well as other technologies

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C4i Communications and the Future Tom Cropper, Editor

How militaries around the world are having to update their thinking to adapt the best consumer technology for the battlefield.

THE SAVOX IMP HAS ALREADY BEEN INSTALLED ABOARD MARITIME VESSELS WITH MILITARY UNITS AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING ABOARD RIBS, OFFSHORE MULTI-ROLE CRAFT AND A COASTGUARD CUTTER. PICTURED: A FINNISH MARINE COASTAL JAEGER WEARING A SAVOX HEADSET CONNECTED TO HIS IMP PCU.

A key challenge will be to close the gap between the technology consumers take for granted in everyday life and what’s available on the battlefield

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4I COMMUNICATION technology is evolving quickly and, if a glance at the pace of technology elsewhere is anything to go by, the coming years and decades will see that pace pick up very rapidly. Current products have precious little time before they go from being cutting edge to obsolete. Military requirements are also changing as we adapt to a new type of warfare. For those companies developing the next generation of equipment, therefore, the challenge is to provide a definite upgrade on existing equipment, while also second guessing what the future might bring.

The Technology Gap A key challenge will be to close the gap between the technology consumers take for granted in everyday life and what’s available on the battlefield. That gap is currently considerable. While a soldier might be used to using his iPhone or Android device at home, when it comes to the theatre of war he or she will still be working with bulky radios and paper maps. If the army can take smartphone technology and use it to connect 14 | WWW.DEFENCEINDUSTRYREPORTS.COM

military units, the results could be transformative. This is the idea behind DARPA’s Transformative Apps program12. The aim is to bring together a small but nimble team of technical developers to create a military apps store similar to the kind we might be used to on our smartphones. These can be used with the growing range of rugged smartphones, such as the Samsung S6 Active, which has been specifically designed to pass military specification testing. Devices such as this can perform a range of functions including command and control, disaster recovery, reporting, mission planning and intelligence. Features can include map viewing, time services, data synch, speech recognition, information assurance and peer to peer services. The rugged devices market is growing13, with developers working hard to remodel some of their most famous brands for use in hostile environments including the military. In addition, the army is turning to other exciting projects such as Google’s Modular Smartphone. Developed with Motorola via Project Ara, the idea is to create a puzzle piece phone for less

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than $50. In the same way as tech companies have moved towards open sourced software, this aims to do the same thing for hardware. It allows developers to play to their strengths. They could produce a camera here, or a GPS module there. Users will be able to build their own entirely personalised phone – one which has as much or as little functionality as they want, and for a more reasonable price. This modular functionality and the ability to change specifications on the move could prove crucial for military personnel. Compared to a Samsung Note, for example, this is much easier to connect with external hardware, and could provide the flexible option the army is looking for.

Creating a Network However, in many ways the biggest obstacle lies not with the devices themselves, but with the network they connect to. It’s all very well providing the army with Samsung’s latest top of the range smartphone, but if it can’t connect to the network, then all you have is an extremely expensive calculator. The solution is for the army to create their own network and carry it with them – which is precisely what the Warfighter Information Network aims to do. WIN-T, as it is called, will enable commanders to keep in touch via voice video and data and communicate with mobile strike-forces wherever in the battlefield they might be – as long as they are tapped into the army’s network. It consists of infrastructure and network components which relay satellite and terrestrial signals between command and the soldiers on the ground.

The Power of SMEs This technology has undoubted promise, but there are problems. Projects such as these have been around for years, but all too often they fail to come to fruition. The military’s track record – especially in the US – of taking innovative technology from concept to application is patchy at best. To improve their record, they are starting to open up their tender process beyond the usual defence contractors. DARPA’s Transformative Apps program, for example, takes a leaf out of the books of small and medium enterprises. Instead of a slow, bulky and bureaucratic system, they opt for the light, nimble and innovative approach of a small tech start-up. The result is a faster turnaround in getting ideas from the drawing board to reality.

In the UK, the MOD is also turning to SMEs to drive forward new communications technologies as it seeks to replace its Bowman Tactical Communications System. Dubbed Morpheus14, this project aims to consider and develop options to replace the aging Bowman system with something which can address the future requirements of the army, navy and air-force. By doing so they are looking to tap into existing research and development taking place in the commercial world. In opening up this process to academics and businesses (especially SMEs) the MOD hopes to better tap the available technology. “The key here is to examine all the potential options out there to identify the most operationally effective and cost-effective solutions,” said QinetiQ Morpheus project lead Rick Mather “We know there are lots of really exciting technology and security SMEs, as well as academics, doing exactly the kind of research and innovation this project needs. We also know a lot of them think that these kinds of contracts always go to the same old defence companies. “That’s not the case here, we’re really open to innovative, and even unusual solutions to ensure that the final options are the best possible.”

A New Approach This more dynamic approach will go a long way towards delivering the technology of the future that the armed forces demand. By drawing on the technological developments happening elsewhere in business – especially in the mobile SME space – the army can tap into a huge amount of innovation and talent. It can take existing technology and repurpose it for military use. As this article and others in this report have already demonstrated, doing so successfully will be challenging and there is much which still needs to be done including designing technology for use in hostile environments, addressing network security issues, and ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure. The economic situation will also be an issue. More than most, the military will continue to be influenced by the fortunes of the wider global economy. The more that situation remains uncertain, the more militaries will be forced to focus on short term thinking. Even so, communications remains a priority and investment in the next generation of communication systems will remain strong for the foreseeable future.

In many ways the biggest obstacle lies not with the devices themselves, but with the network they connect to

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Cobham – Delivering Next Generation Systems Today Cobham TCS Cobham and its partners are working with customers to deliver capability enhancements and increase the tactical awareness of our forces.

Future systems will expand on existing binaural presentation of information to ease interpretation of information from different audio sources, and other techniques will emerge to draw the user’s attention to tactically important audio messages.

ENABLES FAST, SAFE, SECURE COMMUNICATIONS.

Executive Summary Today’s modern armed forces depend upon having access to the most advanced equipment, particularly in the field of communications. Vehicle Intercom Systems (VIS) are pivotal to providing these communications and have become essential for supporting our friendly forces and for minimising battlefield casualties. Cobham understand the nature and requirements of these troops and end-users more than anyone. With a global installed base of 125,000 systems across six continents they truly are the specialists in the VIS field. • Enabling fast, safe, secure and reliable communications • Permitting scalable and expandable solutions for wider integrated tactical pictures • Increased Video and Data capabilities built upon existing Audio communications Future systems must retain the ease of use and ruggedness that have proved to be essential in modern operational theatres. Interfaces must remain intuitive and give access to core

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functions at the flick of a switch, with hands-free operation where possible. Resilience to damage remains important, and systems with distributed functionality retain an edge in this key area. Increased functionality will also be a key feature, particularly as the VIS will be part of a larger tactical awareness and communication system, encompassing the vehicle, its neighbourhood, but reaching back to the Battle Group, Formation, and Theatre Headquarters as necessary. Cobham’s next generation system, delivered as part of the US Army VIS-X program (now classified as AN/ VIC-5), has been designed with this in mind. Communication using Internet Protocols, remote access facilities, higher data bandwidths to permit transmission of high capacity data and video across the VIS backbone will emerge to permit fuller integration with other vehicle and C4I systems. Wireless capability will increasingly become available to add functionality, and is already integrated on Cobham’s and other systems. However, retaining the current strengths of proven VIS wired interfaces is important to

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COBHAM’S VEHICLE INTERCOM SYSTEMS ENABLE FAST, SAFE, SECURE AND RELIABLE COMMUNICATIONS FOR SUPPORTING OUR FRIENDLY FORCES AND FOR MINIMISING BATTLEFIELD CASUALTIES.

ensure covert operation and crew confidence and system reliability.

Helping Improve Effective Communications from Commander to Troop Level Vehicle Intercom Systems provide the commander and crew with the ability to interact with each other, and with the broader tactical environment through vehicle radios and communications equipment. This is a core function that must be available at all times, and the performance is critical to the effective and safe discharge of duties. Northrop Grumman and Cobham created a joint venture (NGCI) to support the future intercom developments, initially in response to the US VIS-X requirement. NGCI have demonstrated the core communication requirements in their AN/ VIC-3, AN/VIC-5, ROVIS and TacG2 systems, offering a broad range of interfaces to third-party radios, SATCOM systems and audio equipment such as active-noise reduction headphones. VIS is all about the transmission of information, be it voice within or outside the vehicle, or from radio sources. Intelligibility and the ability to differentiate key messages in difficult environments drive the performance of troops. Cobham is in the fortunate position of being able to draw on a broad range of operational and design experience in optimising effectiveness, working with its partners.

Helping Improve Effectiveness within the Vehicle Crew communications remain at the heart of

effective teamwork within fighting vehicles. The VIS is core to the delivery of this functionality, and remains an essential element of effective fighting vehicle design. The fighting vehicle is a difficult environment in many ways, as acoustic noise levels are high, vibration is severe, power supplies can be of varying quality and rotating turret slip rings introduce further constraints. Cobham brings a wealth of experience in these areas to bear in developing future VIS. In conditions of high stress, such as when under fire or in the dark, the user interface is critical. Rotary switch or simple push button based interfaces have been demonstrated to be the most appropriate under these circumstances, and key functions must be immediately and intuitively available. More complex interfaces can be used to access functions that are required less frequently, or to expand the capabilities of the VIS, but ease of use remains a paramount requirement. These can include reconfiguration of the system to meet specific mission profiles, managing access to features and resources but retaining common training and user interfaces. A further feature that has proved of great use in the field has been a very short time to audio from switch on, as this permits rapid reaction in emergencies or in response to unexpected attacks. Future systems will expand on existing binaural presentation of information to ease interpretation of information from different audio sources, and other techniques will emerge to draw the user’s attention to tactically important

Interfaces must remain intuitive and give access to core functions at the flick of a switch, with hands-free operation where possible

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systems into existing vehicles (an important feature in reducing overall life cycle costs of VIS systems), add-on capability to permit the transmission of video information across the existing cabling or systems would be very attractive. Such capability would permit the ready upgrade of vehicles to provide commanders with improved situational awareness while closed down, drivers with live feeds during vehicle manoeuvring, and mounted infantry with local information prior to dismount. Cobham has exploited its strong market position on current fighting vehicles by providing direct upgrades (AN/VIC-3 to AN/VIC-5, ROVIS and LV2 to TacG2) that are backwards compatible and re-use existing cabling in the vehicles to deliver these advanced features. TYPICAL COBHAM INTERCOM VEHICLE INSTALLATION.

Dismounted Commanders can remotely access Cobham’s VIS positions using a range of technologies including field telephones, Combat Net Radios, SIP networks and IP devices

audio messages. Systems such as Cobham’s AN/VIC-5 offer this feature, and have been designed with the spare capacity to take these innovations forward as the need evolves. Wireless crew stations are already offered, but still retain some limitations when operating in jamming or radio silence environments. Crews must retain full confidence in their equipment, and the inherent simplicity and reliability of a cable connection remains the requirement. Developments in adaptive radio, in battery technology and in miniaturisation will make this approach more capable in the future. The interface with the vehicle will provide enhanced operability as vehicle electronics provide additional functionality. As an example, automated warning messages will inform drivers of vehicle performance issues, drawing information seamlessly from the CANbus or similar vehicle drive system data buses. These will inform crew members of potential issues and permit risk to be assessed on the fly during missions. This information can also be routed automatically to maintenance radio networks via the VIS, allowing equipment support teams to plan ahead or to advise as required in real time. Cobham’s AN/VIC-5 system has been designed to provide the capability for easy expansion in these areas as the need develops. While audio remains the most effective means of immediate communications between crew members, future VIS will integrate video capability, within the constraints of available data bandwidths. Given the investment in wiring and crew units, and the cost of installing different

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The Demand for Interoperable Platform Teamwork within vehicles, between vehicles in a tactical unit, and between tactical units is at the heart of operational success. This demands seamless interaction at all levels, and the need to interface with existing and forthcoming communications channels. The VIS is a key element of this system of systems, and must be able to provide effective interoperability and transparency in the sharing of information. While data formats used within the VIS can be a mix of open and proprietary standards, each optimised for the particular application, future systems must be able to support high data bandwidths and communicate using internet protocols. Selection of compression and encryption must remain flexible, but military standards offer optimised performance to complement COTS options – the key is flexibility and the ability to add new modules in the future. Cobham has developed a flexible architecture in its AN/VIC-5 and TacG2 systems that maximises the appropriate use of open standards to provide this transparency and future upgrade path. Vehicles will continue to communicate with each other and with higher formations through radios. These radios will continue to evolve and to become more intelligent in their use of the spectrum, so VIS must allow these to be managed remotely and seamlessly from C4I systems or other vehicle data storage and display systems. Separate consideration may be required for audio and data links, exploiting existing and new features in VIS to reduce overall system complexity and weight. Networks will operate at different levels of security, again placing an implicit demand on future VIS to provide adequate protection for this information as it is in transit through the system.

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Expanding Communications to Dismounted Troops and Command Posts Vehicle Intercom Systems can be further enhanced by providing a link to dismounted users who require tactical voice and data communications to support operations. Dismounted Commanders can remotely access Cobham’s VIS positions using a range of technologies including field telephones, Combat Net Radios, SIP networks and IP devices. In addition to this, the Eagle Radio, Cobham’s adhoc network device, provides the capability for all dismounted soldiers in a squad to remotely access the VIS, installed radios and their own intra-group radio network. This extends capability of the group without having to provide each soldier with additional radio hardware. Interfaces to existing radios can readily be made available, but the radio must not impact on the core function of the VIS, which is to provide crew communications and access to external audio channels. Such radios should offer full duplex operation, and the ability to control and be controlled by the intercom system, if the full potential of such systems is to be exploited. System architectures can maintain the different security levels within an intercom system through appropriate design, and high-bandwidth radios, such as Cobham’s MESH, can provide full IP interoperability and access to video content for surveillance and guard functionality.

The Future for Next Generation VIS Future VIS will remain core systems within fighting vehicles, but will allow system integrators to minimise system impact and weight through incorporating additional functionality. This will require the VIS to provide high data bandwidths in addition to excellent audio capabilities, and to support appropriate protection for classified information, though none will be stored within the system itself. The VIS will be at the centre of local tactical situational awareness, providing wireless and wired interconnectivity for both audio and video, enabling vehicle crew members to access and display both types of information as required in pursuance of their tasks. Automation will increase with voice actuation and additional visual control panels complementing the current robust mechanical interfaces. Full remote control also permits integration with other vehicle C2 systems and intelligent radios. The Vehicle Intercom is already the audio communications workhorse within the fighting vehicle, and forthcoming capability enhancements will enable it to become the cost-effective nervous system of the fighting system for audio, video and data to deliver tactical awareness. Cobham and its partners are working with customers to deliver this vision in the near future.

The Vehicle Intercom is already the audio communications workhorse within the fighting vehicle, and forthcoming capability enhancements will enable it to become the cost-effective nervous system of the fighting system for audio, video and data to deliver tactical awareness

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An Uncertain Trend in a Highly Competitive Market Mary Dub, Staff Writer ‘After more than a decade of increasing defense budgets, the Department of Defense now must plan for $487 billion in cuts over the next decade, with still more substantial cuts possible. In this environment, the competition for programmatic dollars will be fierce. What one observer has called “the biggest military food fight in at least a generation” may already be underway.15’ Andrew Krepinevich and Eric Lindsey: ‘The Road Ahead’ for The Center for Strategic Budget Assessment (2012)

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Even the ubiquitous Humvee, which was due for a replacement in the spring of 2012, was put on hold as the United States strategic pivot to the Asia-Pacific region was announced.

VEHICLE Intercom Systems is a vital link to between the soldier in an armoured vehicle and his patrol and command and control. However, despite the US Army’s commitment to Network Centric Warfare (NCW) and the British Network Enabled Capability (NEC) there is now a significant period of high uncertainty about the Department of Defense’s intentions to purchase and upgrade equipment given that President Obama’s budgets have been cut dramatically by both Houses of Congress in the current administration. What does this mean for the acquisition of upgrades and new technologies, hitherto always seen as the key to dominance in the battlefield? The Congressional Research Service published a summary of the political events impacting on the defense budget over the last three years and it makes salutary reading.16 “In April 2009, then Secretary of Defense Gates announced he intended to significantly restructure the Army’s Future Combat System (FCS) program. The FCS was a multiyear, multi-billion dollar program that had been underway since 2000 and was at the heart of the Army’s transformation efforts. In lieu of the cancelled FCS manned ground vehicle (MGV), the Army was directed to develop a ground combat vehicle (GCV) that would be relevant across the entire spectrum of Army operations and would incorporate combat lessons learned from Iraq and Afghanistan.” The tale gets worse: “On August 23, 2011, the third team vying for the GCV technology development (TD) contract, SAIC-Boeing, filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) contending that there were errors in the evaluation process.” And worse: “The Administration’s January 26, 2012, Major Budget Decision Briefing not only introduced a new Asia-Pacific

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strategic focus, but also delayed the GCV program for a year due to the SAIC-Boeing protest.” This is bad news for contractors.

Why the Cancellations at Such a Late Stage and at Such a High Cost to Industry and the Department of Defense? The Congressional Research Service had an easy answer and a more difficult one: “This review found that the GCV had too many performance requirements and too many capabilities to make it affordable and relied on too many immature technologies.” Fair enough, but the real problem is a much wider one. “Under FY2013 strategic and budget plans, the Active Army will downsize by 80,000 soldiers, but most defense analysts expect even deeper cuts in end strength, particularly if sequestration of the defense budget under the provisions of the Budget Control Act of 2011, P.L.112-25, is enacted. If sequestration does occur, Secretary of Defense Panetta has told Congress, “all ground combat vehicle modernization programs would be terminated,” meaning that the GCV program would be cancelled.”

JTRS Joined the List of Cancelled Programs The Pentagon’s JTRS (Joint Tactical Radio System) aimed to replace existing radios in the American military with a single set of softwaredefined radios that could have new frequencies and modes (“waveforms”) added via upload. This system, instead of requiring multiple radio types in ground vehicles, used circuit board swaps in order to upgrade – this also fell victim to the cuts. JTRS joined the Land Warrior Program on the list of closed programs. Even the ubiquitous Humvee, which was due for a replacement in the spring of 2012, was put

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COBHAM HAS A BATTLE PROVEN SYSTEM AND AN INSTALLED BASE OF 125,000 SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE.

on hold as the United States strategic pivot to the Asia-Pacific region was announced. The central issue the Obama administration and Congress and the Department of Defense have yet to resolve is what equipment will the US Army need if it is not going to fight counter-insurgencies, as it has done in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade and a half? As Todd Harrison, fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments put it when discussing the upgrade to the Humvee: “If you’re not going to be doing counterinsurgencies, why do you need a vehicle that heavily armored? It’s not clear how the Army plays in the pivot to Asia. It’s not clear what their role would be.’’

What Does This Mean for the Future of Communication Systems for the US Army? The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment summarises what the general policy for the Army should be: “that given prospective resource constraints, the ground forces should seek to “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without whenever possible.” This is not exactly good news for industry. However, contracts have been signed for strong contenders. The Northrop Grumman Cobham Team announced in May 2010 the successful integration of the Vehicle Intercom System, expanded (VIS-X) into the U.S. Army’s Stryker systems integration lab (SIL) environment at the U.S. Army Tank-

Automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command in Warren, Michigan. Critically important was the VIS-X hardware that seamlessly integrated into the Stryker SIL, replacing the AN/VIC-3 intercom system. The integration demonstrated the form, fit and function compatibility of VIS-X with AN/VIC-3 and the ability to add new communications features without increasing the system footprint or rewiring the Stryker vehicle. “During our Stryker SIL integration, we demonstrated that VIS-X reduces the total electronic box count by 30 percent and increases the number of available users, radios and alarms,” said John Jadik, vice president of Communications, Intelligence and Networking Solutions for Northrop Grumman’s Land and Self Protection Systems Division. “Existing VIC-3 highway cables, headsets and brackets were re-used, allowing for an easy upgrade to vehicles already utilizing the AN/VIC-3 and reducing the risk associated with new vehicle implementations.” VIS-X can be used in both new production and legacy vehicle platforms, allowing the warfighter to utilize the same new equipment regardless of vehicle type or age. And the system delivers a dramatically enhanced capability: 10/100/1Gbit Ethernet, VoIP, SIP calls, point-to-point calling, multiple intercom groups, remote radio control, radio re-transmission, and alphanumeric displays and menus become available to the systems integrator and the warfighter.17

There is now a significant period of high uncertainty about the Department of Defense’s intentions to purchase and upgrade equipment given that President Obama’s budgets have been cut dramatically by both Houses of Congress in the current administration

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Essential Features When Buying and Selling New Systems in the 21st Century Don McBarnet, Staff Writer

As military historian Michael Howard has observed, sound procurement decision making requires a “triangular dialogue between ... operational requirements, technological feasibility and financial capability.” 18

C Exposure to high noise levels may, in the long run, also cause an irreversible hearing loss

OMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, like much other military equipment, continues to pass through a rapid technological revolution, where the operation of Moore’s Law, that sees the number of integrated circuits double approximately every two years, works as a powerful force for continuing upgrades to retain technological advantage. However, despite the demands for ever better software, there are high practical hurdles for providers of military intercom systems or other communication equipment to overcome.

Despite the demands for ever better software, there are high practical hurdles for providers of military intercom systems or other communication equipment to overcome

Protecting the Military User of Communication Equipment The battlefield during combat is a noisy place, but for dismounted or mounted infantry the noise levels are much higher because of the persistent noise levels of vehicles which are designed for maneuverability or force protection or other factors, not a silent ride. Military vehicles can be extremely noisy working environments and noise impairs vehicle crews in various ways, for instance, through its effect on speech intelligibility and the audibility of other useful sounds. Exposure to high noise levels may, in the long run, also cause an irreversible hearing loss. An overview of interior noise levels in different types of military vehicles and aircraft shows that (extremely) high noise levels are prolific throughout the armed forces of NATO.19 During combat, crew members in military vehicles need to be able to communicate effectively and swiftly. Radio channels and intercommunication systems are relied upon to quickly and efficiently exchange information, between crewmembers and with the outside world. If speech intelligibility becomes too low, dangerous situations may arise. In coalition warfare where English may not the first language of all soldiers, clear communication becomes an even higher priority. So first class intercom systems are essential. 22 | WWW.DEFENCEINDUSTRYREPORTS.COM

The Marines Raise Critical Issues for Communications Capability in Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) “I’ll be honest with you. We haven’t solved the problems associated with urban combat. That’s a bloody one; it’s hard to solve. If it were easy we’d probably already have done it. We’re going to keep working it.” Major Lee G. Offen Military operations in an urban terrain (MOUT) are extremely challenging especially for clear communication between dismounted members of a patrol and their vehicles. Unless this problem is overcome, the US armed forces will be at parity or even at a disadvantage in a complex 21st century urban battlefield. Researchers in the Marines identify 36 critical capabilities on their communications wish list, and three of these are highly relevant to this discussion: enhanced situational awareness for individuals/ leaders in MOUT – improved squad radio – effective in MOUT; precise position location inside buildings; and a combat ID system – effective in buildings.20 And as Major Lee G. Offen describes it, the critical need is for a radio that works for MOUT. “We’re going to have to come up with a soldier intercom that can be tailored to the

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Military operations in an urban terrain (MOUT) are extremely challenging especially for clear communication between dismounted members of a patrol and their vehicles available parts of the electromagnetic spectrum wherever soldiers or Marines are deployed. It also has to be powerful enough for people to communicate between buildings where there’s no line of sight, but not so powerful that they become a target as a result of their own transmissions.”

The Salience of Stryker The light workhorse vehicle of the US Army is the Stryker. The Stryker, built by General Dynamics, is designed to carry soldiers, commanders and special missions. The Stryker is deployed by the Army where its 8-wheel design allows for easy maneuverability in open terrain, close combat and urban environments. But where its aging design needs updating, this has to be done within important parameters. The procuring agencies want compatibility with legacy hardware, and software architecture, an effective bridge between classified to unclassified communications and low SWAP (Space, Weight, and Power).

The Certification Process News systems produced by contractors for approval by the Department of Defense have to go through an emerging process of

certification. To obtain JTRS certification, a tactical device must fulfill criteria from the Joint Program Executive Office Joint Tactical Radio System (JPEO JTRS). There are seven separate requirements, including testing or certifications for waveform conformance and Joint Interoperability Test Center interoperability, National Security Agency information security, programmable cryptography, National Telecommunications and Information Administration spectrum compliance and Software Communications Architecture compliance. Once a product is compliant with these standards, it has a greater chance of being accepted. The Harris Corporation Falcon III AN/PRC-117G Radio achieved “JTRS-Certified” Status and therefore saw it better able to compete for contracts.

The Ubiquitous SINCGARS (Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System) SINCGARS is a Combat Net Radio (CNR) currently used by U.S. and allied military forces. More than 500,000 SINCGARS have been purchased. The radios, which handle voice and data communications, are designed to be reliable, secure and easily maintained. Vehiclemount, backpack, airborne, and handheld form factors are available. SINCGARS uses 25 kHz channels in the VHF FM band; from 30 to 87.975 MHz It has single-frequency and frequency hopping modes. The frequencyhopping mode hops111 times a second. SINCGARS was expected to be replaced by the JTRS, but this was cancelled in 2011. There have been reports online that it performed very badly in the heat of the New Mexico desert, as well as major cost overrun problems. When the Army started evaluating the JTRS at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. the 207-pound refrigerator-size Ground Mobile Radio that Boeing developed lacked refrigeration and had a difficult time withstanding desert heat.21

News systems produced by contractors for approval by the Department of Defense have to go through an emerging process of certification. To obtain JTRS certification, a tactical device must fulfill criteria from the Joint Program Executive Office Joint Tactical Radio System (JPEO JTRS)

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C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

British Bowman System Finally Operational After a Chequered History Don McBarnet, Staff Writer

Embedded software systems form a ubiquitous, networked, computing substrate that underlies much of modern technological society

I

T IS not just the United States that has problems updating communication systems for its military vehicles on time and on budget. The damning report of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee22 on delivering digital tactical communications through the Bowman CIP Programme gives an unflattering insight into Ministry of Defence bungling and bureaucratic incompetence: the chapter headings provide a scurrilous summary of their conclusions: programme governance arrangements were not fit for purpose, initial decisions were not well informed to reduce later risk including the crime of excessive optimism, through life costs were not rigorously assessed and, finally, after all the costs incurred, operational benefits are limited by reductions in the programme.23 A sorry tale summarized by Sarah McCarthy-Fry giving evidence as “The system is incomplete and inflexible, conversion of vehicles and units has been slow, troops do not find the equipment flexible and intuitive to use and substantial technical challenges still remain to be solved.”

Bowman on Operation Leaving aside the criticisms of the process of procurement and the cost and weight of the final radios for dismounted infantry, Bowman has delivered a remarkable upgrade in communication capability to the British Armed Forces. 12 Mechanised Brigade was the first brigade to be converted to Bowman and successfully completed a six month operational tour in Iraq – OP TELIC 6 – in November 2005. 7 Armoured Brigade followed on OP TELIC 7, taking its Bowman-equipped Warriors and Challenger 2 tanks. Bowman has received favourable reports from the user on operations. It provides secure data at speed: high levels of security are provided, based on the UK Pritchel crypto system together with its appliqué crypto and NATO Standard Operating Modes to allow interoperability with NATO allies. The Bowman Key Variable Management System (BKVMS) provides generation and distribution of

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The goal of the HACMS program is to create tools and techniques that can produce formally verified software for defense vehicles

cryptographic key material. “Operational tempo is improved by secure, guaranteed communications, and we had that at Brigade level down to section level”, said Brigadier John Lorimer, the Commander 12 Brigade. Signalers in the Brigade Signals squadron were pleased with the reliability of Bowman, which worked well in the heat. Lt Col Ben Edwards, CO The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, speaking in BATUS during pre-deployment training, said that the clarity and distance of communication with Bowman had been “a revelation – much much better than anything we’ve had before”.

The Threat of Cyber Warfare, Jamming and Control of Military Vehicles by Opposing Parties One of the key criteria in updating software for communication systems of any sort in 2012 is the threat of cyber warfare or electronic warfare of any or an unknown sort. This has become a high priority under the Obama administration in the face of growing attacks from known and unknown agents or countries. In response to this requirement DARPA24 has come up with a new and strong program of software to combat this emerging need. Their goal is innovative research proposals in the area of the clean-slate development of software for high-assurance cyber-physical systems. Why? Embedded software systems form a ubiquitous, networked, computing

C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

substrate that underlies much of modern technological society. Examples include computer peripherals, communication devices, and vehicles. Researchers and hackers have shown that these kinds of networked embedded systems are vulnerable to remote attack and that such attacks can cause physical damage while hiding the effects from monitors.

New Technologies for Development of Higher Levels of Assurance Against Cyber Attack The new technologies that the DARPA researchers are trying to include are interactive software synthesis systems, verification tools such as theorem provers and model checkers, and specification languages. Recent fundamental advances in the formal methods community, including advances in satisfiability (SAT) and satisfiability modulo theories (SMT) solvers, separation logic, theorem provers, model checkers, domain-specific languages, and code synthesis engines all provide potential tools and new technologies for research engineers to produce assurance against cyber attack. And of course, this threat is of particular concern to the Department of Defense (DoD) because military cyber-physical systems are high-profile attack targets. The problem is that all communication devices such as cell phones and radios, and vehicles such as airplanes and satellites, include embedded

systems. The result has been that there have been viruses and interference with a Landsat-7 earth observation satellite, and computer viruses infecting the ground-control systems of the Predator and Reaper remotely piloted aircraft. Current practice for dealing with this growing threat to military capability has been anti-virus scanning, intrusion detection systems, and patching infrastructure. The goal of the HACMS program is to create tools and techniques that can produce formally verified software for defense vehicles. It will be especially important for vehicles where the risk and consequences of an attacker gaining control are high.

New Products on the Market with Higher Levels of Encryption, Security Plus the Ability to Work in Urban Terrain A light powerful efficient Internet Protocol Mesh Radio with low SWAP (Space, Weight and Power) is a new Cobham product, where the flexibility of a fluid self-healing mesh combined with nonline of sight characteristics have proved of value to military and security users. SWAP has been reduced from a large box weighing some 2.5kg and using 20W of power, to a solution weighing just 350g and using half as much power. The IP mesh radio, despite its small size, offers true fluid self-forming mesh, very simple set up, mobility and verifiable non line of sight communication. With fixed encryption and security options, it offers high levels of assured communication.

A light powerful efficient Internet Protocol Mesh Radio with low SWAP (Space, Weight and Power) is a new Cobham product, where the flexibility of a fluid selfhealing mesh combined with non-line of sight characteristics have proved of value to military and security users

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C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

The Future, Austerity, BRIC Countries and ‘The Pivot to Asia’ Meredith Llewellyn, Lead Contributor “It’s not clear how the Army plays in the pivot to Asia. It’s not clear what their role would be.’’ Todd Harrison, Senior Fellow, Defense Budget Studies, the Center for Strategic Budgetary Assessments (2012)

W

Defense Secretary Gates warned that, in this age of austerity, the Defense Department could not afford to support programs based on overly ambitious or unrealistic assumptions regarding the maturity of key enabling technologies

ITH THE pivot to the Asia-Pacific region, the approaching end of the military commitment to Afghanistan in 2014, and deep cuts in current spending and future procurement, it is even more difficult than usual to look to the future. This article is written at a time when it is unclear whether Obama will win a second term. If Romney were to win, his commitment to increased levels of defense spending might not survive his arrival in office in 2013. In 2010 former Defense Secretary Gates warned that, in this age of austerity, the Defense Department could not afford to support programs based on overly ambitious or unrealistic assumptions regarding the maturity of key enabling technologies. The result has been that the ground forces now need to extend the service lines of existing systems and acquire off the shelf solutions, but only after spending vast amounts of time and money on overly ambitious programs that failed to meet the development timelines.

Maximising Adaptability How should the Department of Defense in the United States and other European ministries of defence deal with such high levels of uncertainty? Some argue that surprise will not be entirely unavoidable, so defense planners and vehicle makers and industry need to maximize the adaptability of new and recapitalized vehicles. This will enable ground forces to hedge against the possibility, indeed the likelihood that vehicles will need to be modified or upgraded to perform new or altered missions and meet new operational requirements as they emerge.

The Lego Analogy The former Secretary of the Navy, Richard Danzig, offers a thoughtful analogy of how both industry and the Pentagon should think about adaptability. In “Driving in the Dark: Ten Propositions about

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Prediction about National Security”25 he argues that, at the simplest level, the ideal is the Lego set with its universal snap-in interface. Lego pieces need to be matched in only three spatial dimensions…while, of course, complex systems require compatibility in many domains. Still, he favours open architecture systems and being counter-intuitive to engineers’ aspirations to add additional features. Indeed, he argues that there is a case for Antoine de Sainte Exupery’s maxim that “perfection is reached not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take-away.” A growth path for platforms and systems needs to be built in to cope with geopolitical and military-technical uncertainty.

Looking to the BRIC Economies – Brazil, Russian, India and China The countries where there is geopolitical uncertainty, but crucially higher defence budgets to meet the challenge are Brazil, Russia, India and China. Some analysts include South Africa in the list. What do they have in common as defence markets? Each is large both in terms of size and population, and each has an expanding economy; and finally, each is undergoing a military modernization effort aimed at preserving their strategic interests. A case in point is Brazil26 whose economy has continued to grow and, despite a small hiccup during the global economic slowdown of 2009, is expected to expand by 7.5 percent this year. As its economy has grown so too has the recognition by government officials that a major military modernization is in order if Brazil is to underwrite its claim to hydrocarbon deposits outside its traditional offshore border and gain a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Brazil would like to be seen as the pre-eminent power in South America. Since 2005, the Brazilian defense budget has grown by 5 percent per year and the government approved

C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

COBHAM’S VEHICLE INTERCOM SYSTEMS EXPAND COMMUNICATIONS TO OTHER VEHICLES, DISMOUNTED TROOPS AND COMMAND POSTS.

a new national defense policy in 2008 that set aside $70 billion for re-equipping the army. And Brazilian demand is scheduled to continue to rise: Brazil has planned that its annual share of defense expenditure will rise from the current 1.5 percent of GDP to 2.2 percent by 2030. As a result of this defence growth, Thales has been able to sign a contract to sell Vehicle Intercom Systems. Thales’ Brazilian subsidiary Omnisys completed delivery of the first batch of SOTAS digital intercom systems for integration into the Brazilian Army’s Urutu vehicles, VBTP-MR Guarani and M113 armoured personnel carriers. The contract was signed in 2011 September by the Brazilian Centre of Communication and Electronic Warfare (CCOMGEX). The SOTAS system establishes an integrated end-to-end information and communication network for shared situational awareness between crewmembers inside a vehicle and externally with all in-service combat net radios and field cables. The intercom system provides situational awareness capability, and can easily be adapted and expanded at any time

due to its modular concept, without interfering with the initial installation. The system delivers multi-media inter-vehicle networking including voice, data, video communications, sharing of radios, sensors and computer resources. The vehicles can be connected in any order.

Adaptability, Familiar Technologies and Off-The-Shelf Plug and Play Capabilities to the Fore

The emphasis is on familiar displays, limits to the amount of training required to operate the new system, and great emphasis on improved readiness and

Industry is responding fast to the austerity challenge. Northrup Grumman is selling its SIVAN (Smart Integrated Vehicle Area Network) product in a new way. The risk of excess cost and complexity have gone to be replaced by open architecture, plug and play systems, low SWAP products using current legacy hardware. The emphasis is on familiar displays, limits to the amount of training required to operate the new system, and great emphasis on improved readiness and adaptability to confirm to network-enabled capability or network centric warfare (NCW).

adaptability to confirm to network-enabled capability or network centric warfare (NCW)

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C4I ENABLING TACTICAL INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

References: 1

Lions Led by Donkeys: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lions_led_by_donkeys

2

A Big Mesh: Military Tactics and the Future of Mobile Communications: http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/news/military-tactics-and-the-future-of-mobile-communications/

3

Soldiers Describe how DARPA Smartphones Save Lives: http://gizmodo.com/soldiers-describe-how-darpa-smartphones-save-lives-in-b-1626669065

4

How to Blow $6bn: http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/06/how-to-blow-6-billion-on-a-tech-project/

5

Failure to Communicate: https://www.publicintegrity.org/2012/01/10/7816/failure-communicate-inside-armys-doomed-quest-perfect-radio

6

Can Decades of Overspending be Fixed? http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/can-decades-of-military-overspending-be-fixed

7

Reform of the Defense Acquisition Programme: http://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Schwartz_04-30-14.pdf

8

C4i: A 68 Billion Ten Year Market: http://blog.forecastinternational.com/wordpress/c4i-a-68-billion-10-year-market/

9

UK Cuts Defence Spending by 1.5%: http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/policy-budget/budget/2015/06/04/uk-defense-spending-cuts-2015-budget-equipment-exchequer-debt-retreat-world-affairs/28479473/

10

Congress Reaches Deal to Cut $5bn from Defense Budget: http://www.stripes.com/news/congress-reaches-deal-to-cut-5-billion-from-defense-budget-1.376792

11

The Rise of IP V 6: http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/digital/pdf/articles/2015-Mar-Apr/F-Pano.pdf

12

DARPA to Create App Store of Mobile Military Apps: http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2013/04/DARPA-Transformative-Apps.html

13

The Rise of Rugged Enterprise Smartphone: http://blog.vdcresearch.com/mobile_and_wireless/2015/09/the-rise-of-the-rugged-enterprise-smartphone.html

14 15

Morpheus MOD Briefing: https://www.contracts.mod.uk/announcements/morpheus-sme-industry-briefing/ THE ROAD AHEAD: FUTURE CHALLENGES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR GROUND VEHICLE MODERNIZATION ANDREW F. KREPINEVICH, ERIC LINDSEY 2012 Center for Strategic Budget Assessments

16

The Congressional Research Service The Army’s Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Andrew Feickert Specialist in Military Ground Forces May 30, 2012

17 18

Northrop Grumman and Cobham websites THE ROAD AHEAD: FUTURE CHALLENGES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR GROUND VEHICLE MODERNIZATION ANDREW F. KREPINEVICH, ERIC LINDSEY 2012 Center for Strategic Budget Assessments

19

Protecting Crew Members against Military Vehicle Noise Sander J. van Wijngaarden TNO Human Factors PO Box 23 3769 ZG Soesterberg, The Netherlands vanWijngaarden@tm.tno.nl ABSTRACT Soo James QinetiQ Group PLC Cody Technology Park, Ively Rd, Farnborough Hampshire, GU14 0LX, United Kingdom

20

RAND The Arroyo Center, in conjunction with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab and J8 Urban Working Group, Appendix N, INITIATIVES/TECHNOLOGY PANEL PRESENTATIONS ANNEX 1: U.S. ARMY ACTD MAJ Lee G. Offen, USA MILITARY OPERATIONS IN URBAN TERRAIN ADVANCED CONCEPT TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION

21

http://www.nextgov.com/mobile/2012/08/pentagon-shutters-joint-tactical-radio-system-program-office/57173/

22

House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts: Ministry of Defence: Delivering digital tactical communications through the Bowman CIP Programme Fourteenth Report of Session 2006–07

23

House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts: Ministry of Defence: Delivering digital tactical communications through the Bowman CIP Programme Fourteenth Report of Session 2006–07

24

Broad Agency Announcement: High-Assurance Cyber Military Systems (HACMS) DARPA-BAA-12-21 February 23, 2012

25

Driving in the Dark, !0 Propositions about Predictions and National Security, Richard Danzig October 2011: http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA552782 Richard Danzig an

26

BRIC MILITARY MODERNIZATION AND THE NEW GLOBAL DEFENSE BALANCE (PART 1 OF 2) By Daniel Darling http://eurodialogue.org/bric-military-modernization-and-the-new-global-defense-balance 28 | WWW.DEFENCEINDUSTRYREPORTS.COM

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