Integrated Tactical Network

Integrated Tactical Network
Name	Integrated Tactical Network
Type	Network architecture
Used by	United States Army
Designer	Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications-Tactical
Design date	2010s
Manufacturer	Multiple contractors

Integrated Tactical Network. It is a modern, adaptable communications architecture developed by the United States Army to provide secure, resilient connectivity for soldiers at the tactical edge. The system integrates commercial off-the-shelf technologies with military-grade networks to enable data sharing and situational awareness across echelons. Its development is a key component of the Army's broader modernization strategy to achieve multi-domain operations.

Overview

The primary purpose is to enhance command and control for dismounted soldiers, vehicle crews, and command posts by fusing data from multiple sources. It operates as a critical node within the larger Army Tactical Network and is designed to be interoperable with systems used by the United States Marine Corps and allied nations like the United Kingdom. This network architecture supports the Joint All-Domain Command and Control concept by enabling connectivity across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains. It represents a shift from legacy, hardware-centric systems towards a more software-defined and modular approach.

Development and History

Initial development efforts were spearheaded by the Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications-Tactical in collaboration with the Army Futures Command. Early prototyping and soldier feedback were conducted by units such as the 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division. The network's evolution has been heavily influenced by lessons learned from operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, where the need for improved tactical communications was starkly evident. Key milestones include Capability Set fieldings, with incremental deliveries planned throughout the 2020s as part of the Army Modernization Strategy.

Technical Architecture

The architecture is built upon a hybrid network that combines traditional military waveforms like the Soldier Radio Waveform with commercial LTE and satellite communications. It utilizes the Command Post Computing Environment as a software foundation and integrates with the Android Team Awareness Kit for mapping and blue force tracking. Key hardware components include the Harris Corporation-built AN/PRC-163 handheld radio and the Silvus Technologies StreamCaster mobile ad-hoc network radio. This design emphasizes open standards, such as those promoted by the Modular Open Systems Approach, to facilitate rapid technology insertion.

Capabilities and Features

Core capabilities include secure voice, text, and data transmission, along with real-time position location information shared across the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below system. It enables the transmission of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance feeds from platforms like the RQ-7 Shadow or MQ-1C Gray Eagle. The network provides enhanced mission command on the move for platforms such as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and the Stryker armored vehicle. Its resilient design supports operations in GPS-denied or contested electromagnetic environments.

Operational Use and Deployment

The system has been fielded to Infantry Brigade Combat Teams, including the 3rd Infantry Division and the 1st Cavalry Division, for operational testing and training. It saw early operational use during exercises like Project Convergence and Defender-Europe 21. The 10th Mountain Division utilized initial capabilities during deployment rotations. Its deployment is managed through a series of Capability Sets, with each set providing integrated packages of radios, applications, and network components to specific brigade combat teams across the United States Armed Forces.

Future Developments and Upgrades

Future iterations, often referred to as Capability Set '25 and beyond, aim to integrate with the Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node and leverage low Earth orbit satellite constellations from providers like SpaceX. Development is aligned with the Joint Tactical Network vision and will incorporate advances in artificial intelligence from entities like the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Ongoing work focuses on reducing size, weight, and power requirements while increasing capacity and automation to support the Army of 2030 and the Department of Defense's Joint All-Domain Command and Control framework.

Category:Military communications of the United States Category:United States Army equipment