The Department of Defense (DoD) is facing an array of modern threats and challenges that demand strategic adaptation and technological prowess. The resurgence of near-peer competition, coupled with rapid technological advancements by adversaries, has cast a spotlight on the urgent need for military modernization.
In the landscape of modern warfare, the growing significance of network-centric operations has become a defining factor in military strategy. Network-centric warfare, a paradigm that prioritizes the integration of information technology and communication systems, has revolutionized the way armed forces operate and collaborate. At the heart of this transformation lies the crucial role of situational awareness, a real-time understanding of the battlefield environment that empowers military commanders to make informed and agile decisions.
In an era where the speed of information can dictate the outcome of engagements, situational awareness stands as the linchpin of effective decision-making. The ability to seamlessly gather, process, and disseminate critical data across interconnected platforms not only enhances the speed of response but also ensures a comprehensive understanding of complex and dynamic operational landscapes.
The need for technologies that can dynamically adapt to evolving circumstances and exhibit resilience against adversarial disruptions has become paramount. The capacity to endure and recover swiftly from unforeseen disruptions in communication and information networks is no longer a luxury but a strategic imperative. Adaptive and resilient technologies, capable of withstanding electronic warfare, cyber threats, and physical disruptions, are integral to maintaining an operational edge.
Filling a fundamental communications gap
Somewear technology fills a fundamental gap between LTE-reliant solutions and tactical radios. LTE-reliant solutions and traditional tactical radios confront inherent limitations that compromise their efficacy in near-peer environments and the specter of electromagnetic warfare. LTE-based systems, designed for civilian applications, are susceptible to disruption and exploitation by sophisticated adversaries employing electromagnetic warfare tactics. Simultaneously, traditional tactical radios, while effective in certain scenarios, lack the adaptability and resilience required to navigate the complexities of modern warfare. Their susceptibility to interference, constrained bandwidth, and dependency on fixed infrastructure hinder adaptability where agility is crucial.
Adaptive and resilient solutions, such as those offered by Somewear, are crucial for maintaining operational continuity in the face of electronic warfare and ensuring the effectiveness of our armed forces in the most challenging operational environments.
The last tactical mile of JADC2 (Joint All-Domain Command & Control)
The last mile of JADC2 refers to getting information to or from the operator in the field. While that sounds extremely simple, when you look at any JADC2 OV-1 network diagram of how people are thinking about the future of tactical and strategic networking you often see one label that just says ‘edge node or end user.’
That last link is critical and there’s so much that needs to happen just at that moment. Somewear is excited for what JADC2 is going to bring to tactical operations, but the edge node cannot be overlooked.
We often say that Somewear is the last mile of JADC2. What we mean by that is once you get to that edge node, you have another more tactical multi-domain operation out in the field that needs to be supported. It’s an extension of JADC2, where warfighters in disconnected environments need the ability to send and receive the most critical data to maintain situational awareness and maximize operator safety.
Somewear Grid: A feature-rich platform
At its core, Somewear’s technology is designed to increase network resiliency and ensure mission teams can communicate effortlessly during dynamic, multi-domain operations. Somewear Grid is a software-based communications platform that is powered by mobile, pocket-sized network enablers, including the Global Hotspot and Node, guaranteeing resilient and reliable communications when traditional networks are lost.
Grid is built for denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited-bandwidth (DDIL) environments. It empowers operators to monitor each other’s positions in real-time and coordinate effectively. The platform enables leadership to manage operations remotely, track assets, and relay mission-critical information to personnel in the field. Grid equips every member of the team with access to a feature-rich platform for maintaining operational continuity in the face of increasing threats and challenges.
Somewear also provides the first and only low-bandwidth satcom solution to fully integrate with government-owned and -operated mapping software Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK).
Integrating with ATAK means Somewear users can see exactly where team members are, communicate via text, and place tactical elements on top of that map. This task has historically been completed over broadband LTE or a tactical radio system, and now teams can leverage Node’s adaptive mesh network and resilient low-bandwidth satellite connectivity to maintain situational awareness.
Meet Node: A first-of-its-kind multi-network device
Somewear’s latest innovation for keeping teams connected at all times is Node. A first-of-its-kind multi-network device, weighing only 5.5 ounces, Node seamlessly combines the efficiency of mesh radios and the resilience of satellite technology. Node provides a level of reliability, security, and survivable situational awareness that was previously unavailable for teams on the move.
In contested environments where electromagnetic interference poses a constant threat to traditional communication channels, the resiliency of mesh networks becomes particularly evident. Node provides a decentralized structure and multiple networks, ensuring communication pathways adapt dynamically to circumvent interference.
Node uses Somewear’s proprietary data routing software, SmartRouting, empowering operators to send data from a single application without having to select the transmission medium (i.e. cell, WiFi, mesh, satellite), ultimately reducing cognitive load, improving network resiliency, and ensuring there is no single point of failure. The adaptive mesh network, coupled with the flexibility and resiliency of SmartRouting, ensures survivable communications.
Node’s encrypted, low-latency mesh network enables the timely and secure delivery of relevant information to team members within range, and autonomously serves up inbound and outbound data via its built-in satellite link when a team member falls out of range.
Bringing a new meaning to Networking On-The-Move for Warfighters
Traditional heavy, fixed networking infrastructure, while once a mainstay, faces critical shortcomings in meeting the dynamic needs of modern military operations. The inherent inflexibility and vulnerability of fixed networks pose significant challenges. Rigidity in infrastructure limits adaptability to rapidly changing battlefield scenarios, hindering the agility required for mission success.
The static nature of fixed infrastructure makes it vulnerable to targeted attacks, emphasizing a single point of failure that adversaries can exploit to disrupt communications. As our armed forces embrace more mobile and agile strategies, the imperative for communication solutions that match the fluidity of modern warfare becomes paramount, ensuring our military remains adaptable, secure, and effective in any operational theater.
To address these growing challenges, Somewear introduced SmartBackhaul™—the latest evolution of Somewear’s proprietary data routing software. SmartBackhaul™ intelligently routes data from the mesh network to the Node(s) that have the best satellite or cellular connectivity to serve as the most optimal wireless backhaul(s).
The advent of Node with SmartBackhaul™ technology eliminates the need for mission teams to establish and stay in range of fixed infrastructure for a dedicated backhaul. Each team member carrying a Node can serve as a reliable backhaul, allowing the agility for mission teams to establish uninterrupted connectivity and situational awareness, including Command & Control.
Node’s four primary configurations
Node can be used in four primary configurations:
- Blue Force Tracking device: If an operator is not paired to a phone, Node transmits position location information (PLI) data over mesh and/or satellite.
- Paired to a mobile device: Node enables field operators to leverage Grid’s capabilities and transmit data over the mesh and/or satellite network.
- Standalone relay: Configure Node to serve as a standalone relay in your network to extend the range of your connectivity.
- Paired to a human-performance sensor: Node allows field operators to relay critical biometrics (i.e. heart rate, body temperature, posture) to their team in the field over mesh or back to a command center over satellite.
Now, picture this!
Consider the following example: a team of Pararescuemen (PJs) are conducting a high-altitude low-opening (HALO) infiltration and need to communicate their position upon landing in the drop zone to Command & Control (C2). The mission team cannot move onto the next phase of operation until all jumpers are accounted for.
Equipped with Node, the jumpers can coordinate their efforts via the Grid platform over the mesh network and simultaneously transmit their position and other critical data over satellite to C2. The command center can even leverage Somewear Grid to configure geofences and receive alerts as every jumper enters the geofenced area (i.e. drop zone). This reduces the need for constant communication, streamlines operations, and maximizes the safety of operators.
An interoperable, rapidly deployable solution for the Joint Force and coalition forces
Multinational interoperability will be a component of any future contingency operation in
which the United States participates as a leader or member of the coalition. The challenges of interoperability are persistent and must be addressed for any coalition to form, establish situational awareness, operate effectively, and ultimately achieve military objectives.
Interoperating at the tactical level is not easy. Even seemingly simple tasks bring myriad challenges in blending procedures, technologies, and the cognitive approach to operations.
As a commander, how do I communicate with my subordinate commanders? How do my subordinate units request enablers like air weapons teams, or call for indirect fire when they are requesting an asset from another country in the formation and do not have compatible communications systems? Not every country brings compatible radios, blue force tracking devices, or command information systems.
Somewear has developed a tactical communications architecture that maximizes interoperability and empowers multinational teams to establish a common network in minutes. Somewear’s solutions break down communication barriers and redefine interagency collaboration, empowering teams to exchange critical information in real-time and ensuring a coordinated and efficient response.
Situational awareness is everything
Maintaining an operational advantage is contingent upon embracing innovative solutions. As near-peer competition intensifies, adversaries continually leverage technological advancements to gain strategic superiority. In response, defense forces are compelled to adopt cutting-edge communication technologies that ensure agility, resilience, and adaptability.
Resilient communication solutions not only enhance real-time situational awareness but also foster a more connected and responsive Joint Force, ensuring that teams can effectively address emerging threats and operate with precision.
Somewear is ushering in a new era of communications for military personnel and first responders, serving as a force multiplier and enhancing the effectiveness and responsiveness of operations. Node is revolutionizing the ability for mission teams to communicate and coordinate during dynamic operations, providing a level of reliability, security, and efficient situational awareness that was previously unattainable.