Session 1.7a Expo Product Brief: Tactical Battlefield Networking: High-capacity MANET and RoIP Capabilities
Tracks
Open Session
| Tuesday, November 17, 2026 |
| 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM |
| Royal Theatre |
Sponsored by
Presentation Outline
As modern military operations demand resilient, high-bandwidth, and decentralized communications, Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET) technology has become the backbone of tactical connectivity. This session explores the operational evolution and tactical advantages of Wave Relay networks in conjunction with Radio over IP solutions, highlighting their critical role in modern defence infrastructure.
Key Highlights
• International Use Cases: Examine real-world deployments across large scale deployments, maritime domain awareness operations and challenging inter-island connectivity scenarios, ensuring uninterrupted situational awareness across vast geographic domains.
• Indo-Pacific Integration: Review mission-critical applications within the Indo-Pacific theatre, where distributed forces rely on self-forming, self-healing networks in contested environments.
• Security Advancements: Discussion of latest encryption and anti-jamming features designed to protect sensitive data at the tactical edge.
• Interoperability: Discover seamless bridging capabilities that connect Wave Relay systems with legacy Land Mobile Radio (LMR) networks, other MANET devices, and standard in-service end-user equipment.
• Scalability for Defence Force Adoption: Understand how scalable architecture supports growing operational footprints, seamlessly expanding from platoon-level patrols up to brigade-sized elements and higher echelon command structures.
Speaker
Mr Guy Watson
Managing Director
CISTECH Solutions
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Biography
With over 40 years in military telecommunications, Guy is considered one of Australia’s most experienced experts in the field.
Guy joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1987 and served as an Electronics Officer specialising in deployed and tactical communications. His roles in the RAAF included postings such as Base Telecommunications Officer for RAAF Base Tindal where he was responsible for managing all base telecommunications assets, Senior Engineering Officer at No 1 Combat Communications Squadron, the RAAFs premier tactical communications squadron and Deputy Director of Communication and Information Management in Air Force Headquarters.
Guy was also responsible for the design and deployment of all RAAF communications for INTERFET. He was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2001 Queens Birthday Honors List for his work in advancing RAAF communications capabilities.
In 2003, after 20 years service, Guy left the RAAF and started CISTECH; a company which now provides telecommunication systems, services and products to clients around the globe. Guy has a Bachelor of Electronic Engineering from Curtin University in Perth and is a Chartered Engineer.
Guy joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1987 and served as an Electronics Officer specialising in deployed and tactical communications. His roles in the RAAF included postings such as Base Telecommunications Officer for RAAF Base Tindal where he was responsible for managing all base telecommunications assets, Senior Engineering Officer at No 1 Combat Communications Squadron, the RAAFs premier tactical communications squadron and Deputy Director of Communication and Information Management in Air Force Headquarters.
Guy was also responsible for the design and deployment of all RAAF communications for INTERFET. He was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2001 Queens Birthday Honors List for his work in advancing RAAF communications capabilities.
In 2003, after 20 years service, Guy left the RAAF and started CISTECH; a company which now provides telecommunication systems, services and products to clients around the globe. Guy has a Bachelor of Electronic Engineering from Curtin University in Perth and is a Chartered Engineer.
Ms Kayla Downs
Senior Network Engineer
CISTECH Solutions
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Biography
Kayla Downs is a Senior Systems Engineer at CISTECH Solutions, bringing extensive experience across military communications, tactical networking, systems engineering and capability development.
Prior to joining industry, Kayla served for nearly a decade in the Australian Army, including service with the 2nd Commando Regiment as a battlespace communications specialist. During her military career, she gained extensive operational experience in tactical communications, supporting complex activities both within Australia and internationally. This background provided a strong foundation in the practical challenges of delivering reliable communications in demanding and contested environments.
Following her military service, Kayla transitioned into the defence industry and has spent more than eight years with CISTECH Solutions. She has been responsible for designing, integrating, demonstrating and supporting advanced tactical communications solutions for government and military customers. Her experience spans tactical MANET networks, Radio over IP, satellite and LTE connectivity, deployable communications and resilient Beyond Line-of-Sight architectures. Her role combines technical expertise with capability development and customer engagement, helping organisations translate operational requirements into practical, deployable communications solutions.
Kayla brings a distinctly operational perspective to designing bespoke network architecture and system deployment, combining first-hand military experience with deep technical knowledge and an understanding of how communications technology must perform in real-world environments.
Prior to joining industry, Kayla served for nearly a decade in the Australian Army, including service with the 2nd Commando Regiment as a battlespace communications specialist. During her military career, she gained extensive operational experience in tactical communications, supporting complex activities both within Australia and internationally. This background provided a strong foundation in the practical challenges of delivering reliable communications in demanding and contested environments.
Following her military service, Kayla transitioned into the defence industry and has spent more than eight years with CISTECH Solutions. She has been responsible for designing, integrating, demonstrating and supporting advanced tactical communications solutions for government and military customers. Her experience spans tactical MANET networks, Radio over IP, satellite and LTE connectivity, deployable communications and resilient Beyond Line-of-Sight architectures. Her role combines technical expertise with capability development and customer engagement, helping organisations translate operational requirements into practical, deployable communications solutions.
Kayla brings a distinctly operational perspective to designing bespoke network architecture and system deployment, combining first-hand military experience with deep technical knowledge and an understanding of how communications technology must perform in real-world environments.
Mr Damien Mason
Senior Director Of Growth And Strategy
Persistent Systems
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Biography
Damien E. Mason is the Senior Director of Growth and Strategy for Persistent Systems, where he leads strategic growth initiatives across the Indo-Pacific theater, the U.S. Army, and Special Operations communities. He brings more than 26 years of experience in operational leadership, strategic planning, capability development, and joint and coalition operations.
Prior to joining Persistent Systems, Damien served as a U.S. Army Infantry officer, retiring in 2023. His career included senior leadership positions in conventional and special operations organizations, with extensive experience in Europe, the Indo-Pacific, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Key assignments included service with a Special Mission Unit, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), battalion command, Chief of Future Operations for U.S. Army Pacific, Director of the Army Capability Manager for Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, and Deputy Commandant of the U.S. Army Infantry.
Damien is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and holds advanced degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and U.S. Army War College. He brings a strong understanding of defense strategy, operational requirements, modernization, and emerging technology to Persistent’s growth efforts.
Prior to joining Persistent Systems, Damien served as a U.S. Army Infantry officer, retiring in 2023. His career included senior leadership positions in conventional and special operations organizations, with extensive experience in Europe, the Indo-Pacific, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Key assignments included service with a Special Mission Unit, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), battalion command, Chief of Future Operations for U.S. Army Pacific, Director of the Army Capability Manager for Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, and Deputy Commandant of the U.S. Army Infantry.
Damien is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and holds advanced degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and U.S. Army War College. He brings a strong understanding of defense strategy, operational requirements, modernization, and emerging technology to Persistent’s growth efforts.
Mr Mikel Resnick
Director Of Business Development
Persistent Systems
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Biography
Mikel "Rez" Resnick is a Director of Business Development for Persistent Systems, where he leads strategic growth initiatives across the Indo-Pacific theater. He brings more than 20 years of experience in operational leadership, strategic planning, capability development, and joint and coalition operations.
Prior to joining Persistent Systems, Rez served as a U.S. Army Armor officer, retiring in 2025. His career included leadership positions in conventional organizations, with extensive experience in the Indo-Pacific, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Kosovo. Key assignments included service with the 3rd, 4th, and 101st Infantry Divisions, the Office of the U.S. Army Armor Commandant, the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, and Pacific Air Forces as the Battlefield Coordination Detachment’s Chief of Current Operations within the 613th Air Operations Center.
Rez is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and holds an advanced degree from Webster University. He brings a strong understanding of defense strategy, security cooperation, foreign military sales, joint and multinational planning and execution, modernization, and emerging technology to Persistent's business development efforts.
Prior to joining Persistent Systems, Rez served as a U.S. Army Armor officer, retiring in 2025. His career included leadership positions in conventional organizations, with extensive experience in the Indo-Pacific, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Kosovo. Key assignments included service with the 3rd, 4th, and 101st Infantry Divisions, the Office of the U.S. Army Armor Commandant, the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, and Pacific Air Forces as the Battlefield Coordination Detachment’s Chief of Current Operations within the 613th Air Operations Center.
Rez is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and holds an advanced degree from Webster University. He brings a strong understanding of defense strategy, security cooperation, foreign military sales, joint and multinational planning and execution, modernization, and emerging technology to Persistent's business development efforts.
