Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap 2005-2030 - Federation of ...

UAS ROADMAP 2005
APPENDIX C: COMMUNICATIONS
INTRODUCTION
This appendix guides industry and the Services on an UA communications migration path toward
improved interoperability. Service acquisition functions include requirements offices, program offices,
acquisition managers, program managers, and research and development programs. Service operators
include operational units, and demonstration activities. Industry includes developers, manufacturers, and
professional standards groups. This appendix provides a reference to existing and binding policy and
standards. It also provides time frames for implementation of various capabilities.
Overview
The information environment has changed fundamentally over the last 10 years. More importantly it will
continue to change. The Services, in partnership with industry, must develop and field interoperable UA
systems that can adapt to the evolving information environment.
The challenge remains to link disparate systems, effective in their own right, but evolving separately over
time, to form a cohesive collaborative information environment. To this end, DoD has invested in its own
version of the internet, the GIG. The GIG, defined as virtually all DoD information technology
infrastructure, exists to provide the timely and accurate information that war fighters need to assure
victory. All DoD Systems shall be able to interact with the GIG. New UA systems shall be developed to
comply with the GIG architecture from the outset. At a minimum, web enabled interfaces for legacy
UAV systems would need to be created for the system to be recognized as an entity on the GIG. By
connecting to the network, UAS become part of that network.
Everyone on the GIG will become both a producer and a consumer of information. The concept of sensor
will extend to virtually every piece of equipment capable of sensing and passing data, from orbiting
satellites to an individual soldier’s gun sights. This information must flow seamlessly, with minimal
human intervention, to unanticipated users as well as well defined, known users, to support both foreseen
and unforeseen information requirements.
The two overarching requirements for next generation UA communications are 1) connect to the GIG,
and 2) comply with spectrum utilization policy. To connect to the GIG, UA programs must take full
advantage of DoD programs and initiatives to achieve net-centricity: net enabled CDL, JTRS,
Transformational Satellites (TSAT), High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryption (HAIPE), and the
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) metadata registry. UA communications must provide
secure, reliable access to all UA capabilities across the entire DoD enterprise. Initially, efforts must focus
on common interfaces for sensor control and dissemination via the GIG. As new payloads and weapons
are introduced, such as communications relay packages, electronic warfare suites, and guided weapons,
web enabled interfaces must be developed to allow control and employment from any authorized node.
The vision is a ubiquitous network where every entity exists as a node and can share and use any data
produced by any other node, anytime.
For complete information regarding the GIG, refer to the GIG Architecture and the GIG Enterprise
Services website at https://ges.dod.mil/.
EXPERIENCE
A review of operations in support of recent conflicts serves to illustrate current communications
capabilities for two UAS, Global Hawk and Predator. They employed a mix of dedicated point-to-point
communications and networked communications. Many of the networked communications were IP
based, approaching net-centric capabilities. Examples of network capabilities include posting images to
an Image Product Library (IPL), which implements the Task, Post, Process, Use (TPPU) model, and the
widespread use of secure internet chat.
A cursory review of current methods for radio development and deployment highlights the need for a
more flexible, joint approach to procuring interoperable radio systems.
APPENDIX C - COMMUNICATIONS
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