Networked Communications Capabilities

Mission— Networked Communications Capability

The Networked Communications Capability (NCC) plays a vital role in supporting the Department of Defense (DoD) and Defense Industrial Base (DIB) ecosystem. NCC focuses on maturing and demonstrating technologies that foster interoperable, resilient, and capable strategic and Joint Force communications capabilities. Given the critical reliance of DoD missions on command, control, and communications (C3) infrastructure, the NCC addresses challenges faced by the DoD's existing C3 infrastructure, including internal system-centric design approaches, as opposed to network- and data-centric ones, and external threats from aggressive adversary actions. The integration of both DoD and commercial embedded, virtualized, and cloud-hosted hybrid systems and networks underscores the increasing importance of the DoD's ability to rapidly reconfigure and reconstitute this infrastructure. The NCC strategy employs secure and rapidly reconfigurable software-defined/hardware-supported solutions across the layers of the DoD communications stack (physical, network, information, and application layers). The technology integrates these layers to establish a highly agile, adaptable, and resilient C3 infrastructure. This approach ensures the DoD's ability to maintain critical communications in diverse mission domains such as terrestrial, maritime, air, space, and cyberspace. Additionally, it operates effectively in degraded, contested, or denied environments, supporting both tactical edge and strategic contexts. Building upon previous work with Software Defined Radios (SDRs), the NCC utilizes adaptive methods to dynamically analyze the operating environment. This includes considering parameter changes within individual waveforms and switching between high-data rate, low probability of detection techniques, and leveraging tunable waveforms for C3 across various scenarios. The integration of Software Defined Network (SDN) protocols facilitates routing the right information to the right users at the optimal speed and quality, aligning with the requirements of diverse warfighting missions. These advancements will leverage commercially available software and hardware where possible. The NCC works in collaboration with the Joint Staff and Military Services in collaborative partnership to advocate for the proper testing, evaluation, verification and validation, and certification of all relevant solutions from DIB partners for the purpose of ensuring enduring interoperability / compatibility, resiliency, and capability advancement for the positive benefit of US DoD warfighters and as well those of Allied Nations.

Mission— Networked Communications Analysis

Threats to communication systems emanate from a variety of sources, encompassing electromagnetic, cyber, and kinetic elements, among others. The central objective of research and development in network communications is to guide the Services, partners, and industry towards the creation of fully networked and integrated capabilities that exhibit interoperability, resilience, and security. This involves the strategic identification and acceleration of critical technologies, leading to their transition to both strategic and tactical forces. The ultimate goal is to ensure that C3 systems are trusted, accessible, and reliable anywhere, anytime, and under any conditions for tactical to strategic missions, thereby enhancing the lethality of the warfighting force. In the face of peer aggressors armed with advanced kinetic and non-kinetic threats, the imperative for trusted and reliable C3 becomes even more pronounced. This capability is viewed not only as a critical deterrence measure but also as essential for providing a decisive and lethal response when required, spanning tactical to strategic missions.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (1)