Challenges and opportunities in Air Force tactical communications

During the 1980s, many improvements will be made in the ability of the U.S. Air Force to communicate in a battlefield environment via programs like JTIDS, SEEK TALK, TRI-TAC, and the Ground Mobile Forces satellite communications terminals. Even after these programs have been implemented, however, some important problem areas, or challenges, will remain, especially in the ability to resist determined electronic-warfare and physical attacks. This paper first describes the challenges that will remain after the implementation of the currently planned programs. Some important technology opportunities are then identified that hold promise for meeting some of the challenges in the 1990s. In addition, some system approaches are suggested for exploiting these technology opportunities, and for improving the use of older technologies. These system approaches emphasize adaptive network techniques, network management/control, packet switching, and joint-Service common-user systems.