Session 2.6d Update: Redefining the Tactical Network for the US Military: Challenges and Solutions
Tracks
| Wednesday, November 15, 2023 |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
| Nicholls Theatre |
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This presentation summarizes key capability and modernization priorities of the United States military, particularly the US Army, and describes how MIMO MANET data radios are already solving many capability gaps via deployment in both developmental and operational programs. We intend to stress the applicability of this communication technology in allied partner nation programs, not only to increase sovereign capability against potential threats but also to facilitate more effective interoperability between partner nations and their various service branches.
The US Army’s modernization priorities include four broad areas, which are: Soldier Lethality, Next Generation Combat Vehicle, Battlefield Network, and Air & Missile Defense. For a tactical communication system to effectively serve these priorities, it must provide three key functions: Assured Voice, Position Location Information, and Connectivity to Combined & Joint Fires. Functioning as a unified network with anti-jam capabilities, a modern MIMO MANET based tactical network provides secure, resilient, long distance, high-throughput data and voice communications, enabling interoperability between echelons and service branches, and among partner nations’ forces during joint operation.
As an example, Silvus Technologies StreamCaster radios utilize cutting-edge MIMO MANET technologies plus additional specialized Spectrum Dominance features, and are already found in a number of high-profile US Army reference programs including Single Channel Data Radio (SCDR) / Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), Integrated Tactical Network (ITN), Digital Range Training System (DRTS), Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV), and Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV). StreamCaster radios are also already in use within the Australian Defence Force and related prime contractor programs.
Speaker/s
Mr Michael Kell
Director, Army Strategic Programs
Silvus Technologies Inc.
Mike Kell became a U.S. Army Signal Officer in 1985 after graduating from the Florida Institute of Technology's Electrical Engineering degree program. His key assignments included J3 / Director of Operations within the Directorate of Combat Development, US Army Signal Center, and next at US Central Command J6 as the Chief of Integration and Engineering. He also served as the CENTCOM J6 Liaison Officer to CJTF-7 and Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad. Subsequently Mr. Kell commanded the 69th Signal Battalion based in Germany, and afterward was Information Assurance Program Manager for US Army Europe. Later he was Assistant Chief of Staff, G3 of the 7th Signal Command located at Fort Gordon, USA. His final assignment was Director, TRADOC Capabilities Manager, Global Network Enterprise. Retiring in 2012, he became Technical Director at General Dynamics Information Technology providing overseas IT Service Management for U.S. DoD. He was then a Business Development Executive for US Army Strategic Networks and Cyber Operations at Dell Technologies. Since 2020 he serves as Director of Army Strategic Programs at Silvus Technologies. Mr. Kell holds a Master of Arts in Telecommunications Management from Webster University, and a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the Air War College.
