On-The-Move Network to Increase Armored Formation Survivability, Lethality

by MAJ Alexander Barron, MAJ Bryan DiPalermo, MAJ James Luke Napper, MAJ JayPatrick Griffith and MAJ Todd M. Klinzing-Donaldson To be successful in a future multi-do main operational fight against a near-peer adversary, U. S. armored forma tions will require robust, resilient net work connectivity, and they’ll need it on the move. A recent Army pilot assessment of new and emerging commercial on-the-move network capabilities demonstrated how modernized commercial command and control (C2) capabilities could enable mobility, in crease survivability and ensure lethality at the decisive point across all warfighting functions. The Army’s armored-formation on-the-move (OTM) network pilot – sup ported by Spartan Brigade, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT), 3rd Infantry Division – was conducted at Fort Stewart, GA, in January and February 2022. The pilot was not a for mal operational test or acquisition down-select but an opportunity for the Army to inform operational and technical concepts, requirements, technological maturity and affordabil ity supporting the service’s network modernization Capability Set 25 de sign goals. During the pilot, Soldiers evaluated innovative commercial network technol ogy from more than 20 industry part ners integrated onto the unit’s avail able surrogate armored command vehicles. Intended platforms for future network integration include the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle and Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. Three bat talions received three unique commercial-network communications equipment sets with varying satellite communication and line-of-sight (LoS) capabilities. Soldiers provided their feedback on how well each equipment set delivered mobile, simple, flexible and resilient C2. Pilot intent, capabilities Lessons-learned from previous com bat training center (CTC) experiences drove the brigade’s goals and desired outcomes for the armored-formation OTM network assessment. For exam ple, during the brigade’s most recent CTC rotation at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany, in September 2020, the unit experienced long delays while trying to establish Upper Tactical Internet. In one instance, command-post reloca tion caused a loss in operational tem po when a battalion needed to establish Upper Tactical Internet to enable communication. With these things in mind, the brigade commander’s intent was to meet Army pilot objectives by answering the fol lowing questions:

• Will these systems increase the survivability of the warfighter on the ground while enhancing lethality?

• Can these systems increase the accuracy of the common operating picture to inform the commander’s decisions to allocate resources?

• Are these systems simple to use and reliable?

• Do they enhance the unit’s primary, alternate, contingency and emergency (PACE) plans for increased network resiliency? The unit executed the pilot during three weeks, with each week dedicat ed to a different battalion and equipment set. The pilot’s commercial OTM network prototype systems provided several enhanced network capabilities across the battalion-specific equip ment sets, along with several satellite communications (SATCOM) antenna prototypes at the brigade command post. These included SATCOM integrat ed onto individual vehicles that re quired a “flip of a switch” to operate, as well as brigade and battalion LoS mesh networks. The battalion LoS mesh enabled re dundant SATCOM. If one vehicle’s SAT COM was degraded or inoperable, it could use another vehicle’s feed with in the LoS mesh. For contrast, one bat talion operated solely with vehicle-level SATCOM connectivity and had no in ternal mesh network. The brigade LoS Figure 1. Soldiers assigned to the Can-Do Battalion, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division, test, assess and provide feedback on one of the three commercial OTM network equipment sets during the U. S. Army’s three-week armored-formation OTM network pilot at Fort Stewart, GA, Feb. 2, 2022. The Army will use Soldier feedback and the data collected to inform the Army’s Capability Set 25 network design and market research to determine currently available and maturing industry solutions for potential armored formation network integration. (U. S. Army photo by CPT Detrick Moore) mesh provided Upper Tactical Internet connectivity via LoS to the battalions using a tethered drone that could reach up to 200 feet, a vehicle-mount ed quick erecting antenna mast or anon-vehicle mounted 15-meter mast. Movement and maneuver The commercial OTM network capabilities in this assessment were critical to the movement and maneuver warf ighting functions. Network connectiv ity is a fundamental condition check with the brigade before initiating decisive action. Currently a battalion command post must come to a halt and wait while es tablishing Upper Tactical Internet com munications, and it’s limited to Lower Tactical Internet only. The equipment assessed during the OTM network pilot enabled continuous Upper Tactical Internet connectivity at the battalion level with two of the three equipment sets, and it reduced connection time at-the-quick-halt for the last battalion down to five minutes. Retaining near-constant Upper Tactical Internet significantly reduces a bat talion commander’s need to stop to set conditions for an operation. Armored formations must retain mobility to balance dispersion and surviv ability with the ability to mass at the decisive point. Command and control C2 is essential in support of all warfighting functions. A key focus of OTM network connectivity in support of the Army’s network modernization Capability Set 25 design is to develop a net work architecture that is transport-ag nostic with multiple digital data-transportation pathways where the trans mission path is unknown to the user. Currently, armored formations at bri gade and below rely on a singular SAT COM transport method with their at-the-halt satellite-transportation terminals. Unfortunately this singular trans mission pathway is not conducive to network resiliency. To help solve this challenge, during the pilot, each equipment set provided different transport configurations us ing SATCOM or digital LoS mesh at the brigade and battalion levels. For a net w o r k t o b e g e n u i n e l y transport-agnostic and simple for the user to operate, it must provide auto matic failover. Automatic failover re quires zero user interaction when one method of transport fails, compared to switchover, which requires the user to manually select the next method of transport. The pilot demonstrated the network’s ability to seamlessly provide failover, thus simplifying the user experience and allowing users to focus solely on their warfighting-function tasks. This auto-PACE capability facilitated the success seen across all warf ighting functions. Intelligence The 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division, evaluated how the OTM network capabilities affected the unit’s ability to maintain a current common intelli gence picture (CIP) and if the CIP could feed the brigade common operating picture. Maintaining a CIP is typically challenging for units due to the re quirement to have connectivity to the Upper Tactical Internet. When battal ions are not established on the tactical network, they often do not receive up-to-date higher echelon ene my composition and disposition re ports. Battalions are also less likely to provide a holistic picture of the enemy to the brigade command post, leading to decision-making based on stale in formation. Unlike the brigade’s previous JMRC ro tation, where information sharing was a constant challenge, the commercial OTM network prototype capabilities helped solve this problem by provid ing flexible and resilient digital con nectivity at the battalion level. Upper Tactical Internet is required to access the collective shared-intel database such as Distributed Common Ground System-Army Capability Drop 1. The OTM equipment sets enabled near-continuous intelligence data sharing across the brigade using these intelli gence warfighting systems. The OTM network systems also improved intel ligence reporting timeliness, which in creased the effectiveness of the fires enterprise. Figure 2. Soldiers assigned to the Can-Do Battalion, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division, set up a satellite terminal to test and assess one of the three commercial OTM network equipment sets during the U. S. Army’s three-week armored-formation OTM network pilot at Fort Stewart, GA, Feb. 2, 2022. (U. S. Army photo by CPT Detrick Moore)

Fires An accurate and timely intelligence picture enables effective brigade-level fires support that shapes the brigade’s close-fight and ultimately provides bri gade and battalion commanders more decision space. The commercial OTM network capabilities in this assessment facilitated improvements in pro viding lethal shaping fires. The fires warfighting function realized similar benefits as the intel warfighting function by placing an Advanced Field Artillery Data System in the battalion fires-support-element vehicle. This al lowed the fires enterprise to process more fire missions from the battalions, using digital Upper Tactical Internet capabilities instead of slower Lower Tactical Internet methods like very-high-frequency or high-frequency ra dios. Processing fires on the Upper Tactical Internet is typically up to 10 minutes faster than processing on the Lower Tactical Internet. Due to the prototype OTM network’s digital data-transport design, multiple data pathways supported digital fires processing. Multiple data pathways further reduce Lower Tactical Internet reliance by creating a robust, flexible and resilient network for fires-mission processing. The OTM network pilot’s mobile, flexible and resilient capabili ties facilitated the brigade’s ability to provide timely and lethal shaping fires, which are critical to the surviv ability of the unit’s movement and maneuver elements. Conclusion Each equipment set displayed strengths and weaknesses. However, there were common capabilities that enabled authentic OTM network communications for the pilot armored unit. The commercial OTM network proto types provided commander’s options to improve survivability and lethality without sacrificing C2 of the current operational fight. Commanders could establish command posts according to operational tempo instead of by location. This allowed them to disperse their command posts to increase sur vivability from indirect fires. Units could process faster fire mis sions from sensor-to-shooter through reliable access to Upper Tactical Inter net and maintain a more accurate COP across the formation. The OTM net work capability could also provide Up per Tactical Internet for reconnaissance operations at combat-trains command posts and sustainment operations at field-trains command posts to increase C2 of sustainment operations, thus improving the timeliness and accuracy of logistics operations. The OTM network prototype capabil ities have the po tential to change battlefield net work architecture, C2 and the way the Army fights in future multido main operations. Network mobility and continual re silient connectivi ty will be key en ablers in future near-peer fights. MAJ Alex Barron is the top operations officer (S-3) for 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA. His previous assign ments include operations officer, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division; chief of operations for the Train, Advise and Assist Command – South, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan (under Operation Resolute Support); and small-group leader at the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course (MCCC), Fort Benning, GA. He commanded companies in 3rd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Di vision, and 316th Cavalry Brigade. He also served as a platoon leader and staff officer in 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. MAJ Barron’s military education includes Command and General Staff College, Joint Firepower Course, Ranger School, MCCC, Armor Officer Basic Course and Air-Assault School. MAJ Barron holds a master’s degree in business administration from Kansas State University and a bachelor’s of science degree in Spanish and Arabic from the U. S. Military Academy. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak-leaf clusters. MAJ Bryan DiPalermo is the executive officer of 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division. His previous assignments include executive officer, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division; assistant operations officer, 3rd Infantry Division; planner, Operational Test Command Future Operations, Fort Hood, TX; commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (Brigade), 3rd ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood; commander, Company D, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd ABCT; assistant operations officer, 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, III Corps, Fort Hood; assistant opera tions officer, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), Fort Stewart; company executive officer, Company B, 6-8 Cavalry, 4th IBCT; and platoon leader, Cavalry Squadron Reconnaissance Troop, Company B, 6-8 Cavalry, 4th IBCT. MAJ DiPalermo’s military schools include resident Command and General Staff College (CGSC), Cavalry Leader’s Course, MCCC, Army Reconnaissance Course and Armor Basic Officer Lead er’s Course. He has a master’s of science degree in military studies from American Public University and a bachelor’s of science degree in inter disciplinary studies from Arizona State University-Tempe. MAJ DiPalermo’s Figure 3. 1LT Holly Gerber-George, Hound Battalion, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division, supervises her Soldiers and vehicles as they start movement to begin the Army’s armored-formation OTM network pilot Jan. 24, 2022. (U. S. Army photo) awards include the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal with oak-leaf cluster. MAJ James Napper is the top intelligence and security officer (S-2) for 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division. His previous assignments include division G-2X, 3rd Infantry Division; small-group leader, Captain’s Career Course, 304th Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Huachuca, AZ; brigade assistant S-2, 1st Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 101st Airborne Di vision (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY; and battalion S-2, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st BCT, 101st Air borne Division; and commander, Aerial Reaction Force Detachment, 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st BCT, 3rd Infantry Division. MAJ Nap per’s military schools include the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course, Army Reconnaissance Course, Military Intelligence Captain’s Career Course and command and resident CGSC. He has a bachelor’s of arts degree in po litical science from Auburn University, a master’s of arts degree in interna tional relations from Webster University and a master’s of arts de gree in operational studies from CGSC. MAJ Napper’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal with oak-leaf clus ter and the Meritorious Service Medal with oak-leaf cluster. MAJ JayPatrick Griffith is the top fires-support officer (S-3) for 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division. His previous as signments include fire-support officer, 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division; assistant S-3 officer, 2nd Battalion, 12th Artillery Regiment, Fort Carson, CO; and commander, Headquarters and Head quarters Company, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson. MAJ Griffith’s military schools include Field Artillery Basic Officer Leader’s Course, Joint Fires Observer Course, Joint Firepower Course, Paladin Leader’s Course, Bradley Lead er’s Course and the Australian Defence Force Command and Staff College. He has a bachelor’s of arts degree in lib eral studies from Iowa State University and a master’s of arts degree in policy and strategic studies from Australian National University. MAJ Todd Klinzing-Donaldson is the top network and communications officer (S-6) for 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Di vision. His previous assignments include operations officer, 4th Battalion/ Capabilities Integration Group, Fort Belvoir, VA; commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 67th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Fort Gordon, GA; commander, Company C, 67th Expeditionary Battalion; and battalion S-6, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Bragg, NC. MAJ Klinz ing-Donaldson’s military schools in clude the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ranger School, Airborne School, Battalion/Brigade S-6 Officer’s Course, Signal Captain’s Career Course and resident CGSC. He has a bachelor’s de gree in business administration from Messiah University and a master’s of arts degree in information-technology management from Webster University. MAJ Klinzing-Donaldson’s awards include the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service medals. He is a former infantry officer who deployed for Operations Spartan Shield, New Dawn and Unified Response (a humanitarian-relief mis sion). Figure 4. Soldiers assigned to the Hound Battalion, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division, speak to Army senior leaders during a distinguished-visitors day about their unit’s experimental equipment set for the U. S. Army’s three-week armored-formation OTM network pilot at Fort Stewart, GA, Feb. 9, 2022. The Army will use Soldier feedback and the data collected to inform the Army’s Capability Set 25 network design and market research to determine currently available and maturing industry solutions for potential armored formation network integration. (U. S. Army photo by SGT Trenton Lowery) Acronym Quick-Scan ABCT – armored brigade combat team BCT – brigade combat team C2 – command and control CGSC – Command and General Staff College CIP – common intelligence picture CTC – combat training center IBCT – infantry brigade combat team JMRC – Joint Multinational Readiness Center LoS – line-of-sight MCCC – Maneuver Captain’s Career Course OTM – on-the-move PACE – primary, alternate, contingency and emergency SATCOM – satellite communications