JPEO JTRS, ViaSat demonstrate SATCOM interconnect to JTRS network

The Joint Program Executive Office (JPEO) for the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) and ViaSat Inc. have successfully demonstrated the ability to integrate commercial mobile SATCOM networks with JTRS networks. This integration allows the commander to interconnect dispersed field forces using JTRS radios and then backhaul communications to command centers or any other locations, including mobile locations, throughout the globe. The capability has the potential to interconnect air, land, and sea forces into an integrated tactical network for shared situational awareness and the distribution of voice, video, or sensor data within theater or around the world for real time decision making.

Today, tactical communications are dominated by line-of-sight links, so mountain ranges or other physical obstacles block communication between units. While JTRS radios have the ability to emulate a wide variety of current force radios, they also implement IP-based networking for increased data throughput over self-forming, self-healing, managed networks, thereby increasing range and reliability of communications and data exchange. The integration of SATCOM on-the-move capabilities, including the ViaSat ArcLight system or LinkWayS2 current force modem, extends the range and reliability even further.

The demonstration attached a commercial broadband on-the-move satellite modem to the JTRS software defined Ground Mobile Radio (GMR). The system architecture included the JTRS developed Wideband Networking Waveform performing as a local wireless network, with the worldwide ViaSat Yonder Ku-band mobile broadband network as the beyond line-of-sight link secured with the new ViaSat AltaSec IPS-250, a non-CCI, Suite B inline network encryptor.

"The commander's intent for JTRS is to provide seamless, interoperable communications from brigade command to squads and teams. Today we have shown this interconnection between primarily localized JTRS networks and the global reachback provided by SATCOM to battalion and brigade command. In dispersed deployments like Iraq and Afghanistan, units are often extended beyond line-of-sight and are subject to blockage due to mountains and other structures. Integrating SATCOM with JTRS networks bridges that gap and puts these units back in touch with each other and with central command," said Ric VanderMeulen, VP Global Satcom Systems, ViaSat Inc., commenting on the successful test.

Source: ViaSat

Follow Shephard News on Twitter