US ARMY INCREASES READINESS FOR UPCOMING NIE 13.1 EXERCISE

02 Oct 12. The US Army System of Systems Integration (SoSI) Directorate is conducting a four-week-long network validation exercise, called VALEX, to prepare for the forthcoming network integration evaluation (NIE) 13.1 exercise.

Conducted with support from the Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), Brigade Modernisation Command (BMC) and the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division (2/1 AD), the exercise’s objective is to install the network across brigades and also help developers and brigade staff evaluate its functionality.

SoSI project manager colonel Gail Washington said the command brought in every node and vehicle to perform a connectivity check during the VALEX.

“We’re doing a lot of integration work, along with shooting satellite signals to Aberdeen Proving Ground and Fort Gordon, which is the regional hub,” Washington said.

“We’re also running validation threads, which will allow us to pass position location information, calls for fire, send an email and various other communication tasks.”

35th Armored Regiment (1-35) 1st Battalion trail boss Alex Gonzales said VALEX intended to provide the brigade combat team with a 100% integrated network for seamless communication between equipment and platoon, company and battalion, as well as brigade level teams.

“We’re doing a lot of integration work, along with shooting satellite signals to Aberdeen Proving Ground and Fort Gordon, which is the regional hub.”

Personnel defined and designed network needs using information exchange
requirements (IERs) compiled by army objectives, TRADOC capability gaps and system objectives during the VALEX planning phase. It then underwent varied hardware and software integration during the preparation phase, called LOADEX.

Execution phase will see operation of the network with all systems configured and validated at individual system levels by the 2/1 AD soldiers during the brigade’s garrison communication exercise (COMMEX), scheduled to take place this week.

The faulty systems are issued a trouble ticket, and rectified by a field service representative (FSR), ensuring they are trouble free when actually deployed for the NIE, Washington said.

A total of 361 vehicles, including mine-resistant ambush protected all terrain vehicle (M-ATV) variants, Bradleys, Strykers, Abrams tanks, Scout, high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWVs) and lightweight tactical vehicles have been integrated for NIE 13.1.

NIE 13.1 is scheduled to be conducted at White Sands Missile Range in New
Mexico, US, in October and November.