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12 Dec 14. 3 takeaways from NIE 15.1. The recent Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) 15.1 was largely focused on the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical Increment 2, the on-the-move aspect of WIN-T. The exercises, held in the punishing desert of Texas and New Mexico, put components of the system to a rigorous test. Here are three key takeaways of the exercise:
1. WIN-T allows a battalion to integrate and synchronize all of the systems in the tactical operations center in new ways. It “pulls everything together into one system, and then it gives us the ability to push it over one network,” said LTC Ryan Worthan, Battalion Commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. “More importantly, it gives me the ability to do it all on the move.”
2. This year’s point-of-presence vehicle, equipped with communications equipment to stay hooked into the network, is based on more rugged vehicles than in past exercises. One particular improvement: “Improper shutdowns were one of the biggest causes of hardware failure in previous exercises,” said SPC Gerardo Cabrera. “They have improved it to the point where you can slam the vehicle down and [the systems] will still work.”
3. The communications systems are becoming much simpler to operate, so that soldiers operating in fast-moving dangerous situations can turn things on or off, or recover from a malfunction, in much less time, said MAJ Stephen Dail, Brigade, communications officer (S6) with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
18 Dec 14. US Navy’s interactive software to keep submarines on safe track. The US Navy’s new interactive software is set for installation onboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) this month, aimed at dramatically trimming down the time consumed in planning safe submarine missions. Developed as part of the Capable Manpower Future Naval Capability programme, the US Office of Naval Research (ONR)-sponsored technology aims to strengthen the process of identifying the finest routes around risks in waterways globally. ONR Warfighter Performance Department programme officer William Krebs said: “Our goal is for sailors to be able to carry out a mission effectively and safely. “This system merges a variety of crucial data so planners can integrate information ahead of time and the command team can focus on the critical operations at hand.” ONR’s Mission Planning Application technology, through partial automation and use of apps and widgets, will be able to rapidly check thousands of chart markings, while indicating potential hazards and creating optimal routes around rocks, reefs and other shallow spots. The tool also synchronises navigation route maps and generates a visual combination of ‘what, when, where, why and how’ for every operation. Integration of new technology on the Mobile Bay vessel will enable researchers to filter mission planning technology for the surface ship community. Other members involved in the development of the new technology include Naval Research Laboratory, Naval Oceanographic Office, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems, US submarine force and Royal Australian Navy. (Source: naval-technology.com)
15 Dec 14. DOD continues push to boost supercomputing power. The Defense Department is continuing its year-long push to bulk up its supercomputing muscle with two recently awarded contracts under the High Performance Computing Modernization Program. The Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineer Support Center at Huntsville, Ala., awarded two contracts, each for $30.75m, to Silicon Graphics Federal and Cray under the far-reaching program, which was started in 1993 to upgrade DOD’s supercomputing infrastructure and use technological advances to support DOD operations. The contract awarded to