Network Solution for the Last Tactical Mile

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*The interview below was conducted by William Finn (Senior Copywriter and Editor for AMREL) and features Luke McKinney, an expert in Military Intelligence Operations and Joint Mission Analysis.

What is the “last tactical mile?”

It’s the problem of establishing connectivity to the forward-positioned warfighter.  Specialty teams have expensive VSAT (satellite ground terminals), so they have access to information from off-site databases, as well as transmissions from TAUVs (Tactical Aerial Unmanned vehicles) and other personnel.  For this demonstration, AMREL is providing the computing platforms for a low-cost way of delivering the same capabilities to everyday sailors and soldiers, not to mention Border patrol, police and DHS personnel.

What demonstration will you be doing at the Military Vehicles Exhibition & Conference?

We will be demonstrating a low-resource information & intelligence network solution for “the last tactical mile.” Recently, we demonstrated this solution on the high-speed littoral ship, the Stiletto.

What kind of capabilities are we talking about?

Let’s use the Stiletto boat as an example. It has a multitude of sensors for fuels source, temperature, and water depth as well as numerous cameras on its sides providing a constant stream of images.  All onboard engineering, sensor and operational data are available on multiple platforms, including mobile tablets provided by AMREL. This data plus satellite and TAUV feeds are integrated into the Craft Integrated Electronics Suite™ (CIES), which is provided by Azimuth.  A MANET (Mobile Mesh Ad hoc network) network extends real-time connectivity to RHIBs (Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boats), which are launched from the Stiletto.

To process so much data, the server on the RHIB must be huge. Is that practical for a relatively small boat?

It is practical with a “19/2” deployable server, a powerful unit that’s half the usual size. But this still is only part of the solution.  Personnel on the RHIBs also have AMREL tablets that access the same data and all communications.  When the team lands on their target, which can be an island or another boat, complete connectivity is maintained by AMREL PDAs. Having real-time access to TUAV video streams and off-site data bases are a tremendous advantage for a strike team. The PDAs can be used to capture biometric information from a suspect, which is then relayed to the Stiletto, which bounces it by satellite to ABIS (Automatic Biometric Information System).  This lets the forward team know in real-time exactly who they are dealing with.

Is this solution specific to the Stiletto?

Absolutely not. It can be used by any tactical vehicle. Any boat, any truck-anything. We’re trying to make this solution as broad as possible.

You mention earlier that this was low cost. Why is that?

To upgrade your capabilities, you don’t need completely new communication architecture.  You can integrate legacy as well as commercial off-the-shelf equipment into this MANET. Like I said before, we’re trying to get Special Forces technology to ordinary soldiers without Special Forces costs.

That level of integration sounds challenging.

AMREL platforms have an advantage in this. Our computers are designed for easy integration. Many have our proprietary Flexpedient ® technology, which uses field-swappable radio control modules. If you have to connect to another radio for example, you don’t have to reconfigure the computer, just pop in a new module.

AMREL and Azimuth are teaming together for this demonstration. Isn’t that unusual?

We hope it’s the start of a trend.  Too often products are tested in a bubble. You don’t know whether or not your systems will work in the field with another system.  This is slowing down the acquisition and deployment of innovative technologies. Vendors have to learn to cooperate as well as compete. Instead of trying to do everything by yourself, you should ask, “What’s the best of breed for this component?” In some circumstances that may even mean teaming with a competitor to demonstrate a solution.

Contributor: Luke McKinney

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Luke McKinney has 20 years of experience in Military Intelligence Operations and Joint Mission Analysis. He is an expert at identifying deficiencies and providing solutions to Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) doctrine, operations and training. Luke currently works on Business Development for American Reliance (AMREL).

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