Land Warfare: Four contenders vie for JP2072 Phase 2B | ADM October 2012

In October last year Defence sought tenders for the Phase 2B requirements of JP2072’s Battlespace Communications System (Land). ADM understands there were four respondents, presumably each quietly hoping that this project does not lie stranded on the high altar of Budget Surplus.

Tenders were sought for the provision of an Integrated Battlefield Telecommunications Network (I-BTN) and a Terrestrial Range Extension System (TRES ). The former comprises all I-BTN and Local Area System (LAS) components, including Commonwealth-provided elements. The TRES will extend the range of networks delivered, or being delivered, under earlier phases of JP2072.

These first sallies into digitising ADF communications with modern high capacity bandwidth systems will replace static, analogue communications based on voice, which are incapable of providing effective support to commanders in the field.

But these are but a precursor to the major changes planned under Phase 2B which will see command and control services enhanced through new trunking and switching, underpinned by effective network management, to the ADF’s deployed and mobile headquarters.

Battlefield Telecommunications

Phase 2B’s prime contract scope embraces the battlefield telecommunications network (BTN) with its various terrestrial and space bearers, range extension systems both aerial and terrestrial, as well as local area system (LAS) and Satcom C2 on the move (SOTM) systems. These are to be leveraged off COTS technologies and will achieve monumental advantages over current deployed systems.

The ADF currently uses the Battlefield Telecommunications Network to provide high capacity bandwidth to the tactical user via the Parakeet Satellite Terminal Assemblage (STA) most of which have been upgraded (through DAHA) to provide secure ATM access using both open standards and Eurocom protocols over satellite or terrestrial links. The Parakeet system consists of a network of mobile trunk nodes mounted on Land Rover vehicles and some dismounted equipment for transport by helicopter into the area of operations.

Phase 2B - BTN

Phase 2B’s prime contract scope embraces the BTN with its various terrestrial and space bearers, range extension systems both aerial and terrestrial, the LAS and SOTM systems.

The new BTN will provide connectivity between Bde HQ, JTFHQ, Point of Disembarkation (POD) and the Bde Maintenance Area (BMA) down to company HQ level. The new trunk system will be smaller, lighter, and easier to deploy and dismount, and will be carried on Land 121 vehicles. A primary concern is to automate the interface between the legacy and replacement CNR equipment and the tactical trunk system. At this stage we know of four contenders for the prime Phase 2B contract.

They are:
• BAE Systems Australia with Thales Australia;
• Raytheon Australia with General Dynamics C4 Systems;
• Lockheed Martin Australia with Elbit Systems; and
• Boeing Defence Australia.

BAES and Thales

BAE Systems and Thales, both JP2072 incumbents, are also incumbents with the UK MOD’s Falcon tactical networking system that provides communications backbone for British forces. With the introduction of the Falcon system into service last year, the UK’s tactical and operational commands are now linked by a mobile, high-capacity communications network.

Falcon is a complex communications system with a LAS and a Wide Area System (WAS) with a transmission sub-system. The components are packed in to different installations types or nodes, most of which are vehicle mounted. Falcon provides its own trunk Line of Sight radio bearers for WAN interconnection between nodes.

Most Falcon nodes will be delivered installed in purpose built containers or Mission Modules, although some of the equipment is delivered as individual assemblies for transport as palletised loads. There are a number of installation types for different roles. The Command Post Support installations support staff facilities and headquarters.

At the tactical level BAE Systems has developed the Parakeet trunking system and has been responsible for its upgrading to ATM access and maintaining the Raven CNR systems. The company has been involved in many major satellite communications projects in ADF land and naval domains.

BAES UK also has a nine-year sustainment contract in place for the system which also includes a help desk facility as well as spares etc. The UK support contract began in January of this year and passed contract acceptance in July.

Perhaps we may see BAES and Thales draw more heavily on the Falcon system in which they have been so deeply involved, with a focus on the local area and wide area capabilities and their network monitoring and management systems.

Raytheon and General Dynamics

Before General Dynamics Australia’s prime contract for JP 2072 Ph 1 was terminated, WIN-T was always in GD’s sights for later stages of the BCS-L project and Raytheon believes that the US WIN-T is the most viable MOTS solution for Phase 2B. It is fielded and in service with the US Army, it has the form and size requirements sought by the Australian Army and has a publicly declared growth path.

Like Falcon, WIN-T has been developed in incremental stages with the first increment based on transportable components at Division, Brigade and Battalion Command Post levels.

This increment has seen the development of the Brigade level Joint Network Node (JNN), its wide fielding and subsequent upgrade to WGS capability, reducing reliance on commercial Ku-band satellite.

Increment 2 adds mobility with a communications network down to the Company level and tactical communication nodes were the first step to providing a mobile infrastructure on the battlefield. This increment has also seen the delivery of an initial on-the-move broadband networking capability using satellite and radio links.

ADM understands that Raytheon will also be proposing for the Phase 2B bid, items from its own equipment inventory including MAINGATE, or the Mobile Ad hoc Interoperability Network GATEway, that will ultimately connect different tactical ground, airborne and satellite communications terminals together.

Lockheed Martin and Elbit Systems

With the provision of its Battle Management System for Land 200, Elbit Systems has already secured a major component of the ADF’s tactical C2 requirements (see P78 for more).

In regard to Phase 2B, while it can probably boast the largest inventory of communications hardware, much of it relevant to the requirements of JP 2072’s various phases, as well as the software to manage and link these systems, it appears to us that Lockheed Martin’s role may be to provide support through its extensive network management and transmission capabilities.

Lockheed Martin sees interoperability as a major challenge for net-centric communications where the focus is on flexible, open architectures that connect airborne, naval and ground-based networks. These networks embrace new hardware and software. If a new hand-held computer is introduced, the network adapts to connect with the new device, just as it will for antennas, routers and satellites.

To accurately respond to threats, users need access to intelligence from a variety of sources, with varying levels of classification. The company says its technologies expand the capabilities of secure intelligence sharing.

Does the foregoing suggest that Lockheed Martin will offer its network planning and management tools for such systems as Elbit Systems InterSKY® 4M military satellite communication which is designed to ensure highly reliable delivery of video, data and voice services between military headquarters and field units?

Boeing Defence Australia

In Australia, Boeing has very significant incumbent capability in major communications projects. In June this year Boeing successfully demonstrated its SOTM product on a live Ka-band satellite network.

A demonstration in May connected three sites in Australia and the US using integrated voice, video, and data communications over the increased bandwidth available on the latest generation Ka-band satellite mobile terminals. This capability uses the Wideband Global SATCOM system, also developed by Boeing.

BDA supports some of the largest and most complex defense projects in Australia including Vigilare. providing enhanced battlespace management capability to support operations and training in ground and airborne environments.

Vigilare can also be linked to the RAAF’s mobile air defence system, to provide surveillance data and communications when deployed in the field.