Joint Tactical Network Center (JTNC)

Mission — Joint Tactical Networking Center source

The Joint Tactical Networking Center (JTNC) is chartered to enable the Department of Defense (DoD)'s rapid identification, characterization, procurement, fielding, and sustainment of modular, innovative tactical communications products that ensure secure, interoperable, and resilient Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities. The JTNC provides technical expertise to facilitate tactical communications management, innovation, and standardization. The JTNC: (1) maintains a cyber-hardened DoD Information Repository (IR), (2) provides Technical Analyses/Capability Characterizations on tactical communications products, (3) provides Open Systems Architecture Standards, (4) provides exportability analysis and licensing reviews, and (5) serves as Technical Advisor to the Communications, Command, and Control Leadership Board (C3LB) and Tactical Communications Senior Steering Group (TCSSG). JTNC mission is executed in coordination with key government stakeholders to include: C3LB, TCSSG, Communications Technologies and Waveforms Working Group (CTWWG), Resiliency Sub-Working Group (RSWG), the Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Information Officer (CIO), Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)), Joint Staff J6 (JS J6), the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, USD(R&E), and the Services. Particular attention is paid to ensuring that interagency work is collaborative and eliminates duplicative capability. The JTNC enables a common software baseline that is hardware agnostic leading to increased competition for Software Defined Radios (SDR). Current JTNC directed requirements, outlined by the C3LB, consist of the CTWWG, Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) support, development/maturation of the DoD IR framework & Cloud migration, and development of the Joint Communications Marketplace (JCM) to meet DoD and Industry requirements in conjunction with DoD Instruction 4630.09. Through collaboration with USD R&E (INSS) and industry partners, JTNC is in the process of capturing information on resilient waveform technologies and portfolio products. The ultimate goal is to expedite market research activities by collecting, analyzing, and making data available in support of emerging Government waveform acquisitions. The JTNC and Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) co-chair the High-Frequency Interoperability and Architecture Sub-Working Group (HF I&A SWG) to resolve HF 3G and 4G interoperability issues, thus facilitating next-generation HF systems. The JTNC HF team is also pathfinding for a new tactical MIL-STD to provide more resilient communications. Additionally, the JTNC is engaged in the analysis of software artifacts involving high assurance devices, such as software defined radios ported with specific waveforms to support National Security Agency (NSA) efforts. The JTNC participates in Standards-related activities such as the Interface Control Working Group (ICWG) and has been collaborating with the Army on the development of C4ISR/Electronic Warfare Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) specifications. Finally, the JTNC continues evolving its Waveform Assessment and Milestone Review (WASMR) and Capability Characterization processes.

Mission — Joint Tactical Network Center (JTNC) source

This program aligns with Army 2030/40 priorities. This funding supports Joint and Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiatives to modernize Command and Control (C2) systems. The Joint Tactical Networking Center (JTNC) is chartered to enable the Department of Defense (DoD)'s rapid identification, characterization, procurement, fielding, and sustainment of modular, innovative tactical communications products that ensure secure, interoperable, and resilient Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities. The JTNC provides technical expertise to facilitate tactical communications management, innovation, and standardization. The JTNC: (1) maintains a cyber-hardened DoD Information Repository (IR), (2) provides Technical Analyses/Capability Characterizations on tactical communications products, (3) provides Open Systems Architecture Standards, (4) provides exportability analysis and licensing reviews, and (5) serves as Technical Advisor to the Communications, Command, and Control Leadership Board (C3LB) and Tactical Communications Senior Steering Group (TCSSG). JTNC mission is executed in coordination with key government stakeholders to include: C3LB, TCSSG, Communications Technologies and Waveforms Working Group (CTWWG), Resiliency Sub-Working Group (RSWG), the Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Information Officer (CIO), Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)), Joint Staff J6 (JS J6), the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering USD(R&E), and the Services. Particular attention is paid to ensuring that interagency work is collaborative and eliminates duplicative capability. The JTNC enables a common software baseline that is hardware agnostic leading to increased competition for Software Defined Radios (SDR). Current JTNC directed requirements, outlined by the C3LB, consist of the CTWWG, Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) support, development/maturation of the DoD IR framework & Cloud migration, and development of the Joint Communications Marketplace (JCM) to meet DoD and Industry requirements in conjunction with DoD Instruction 4630.09. Through collaboration with USD R&E (INSS) and industry partners, JTNC is in the process of capturing information on resilient waveform technologies and portfolio products. The ultimate goal is to expedite market research activities by collecting, analyzing, and making data available in support of emerging Government waveform acquisitions. The JTNC and Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) co-chair the High-Frequency Interoperability and Architecture Sub-Working Group (HF I&A SWG) to resolve HF 3G and 4G interoperability issues, thus facilitating next-generation HF systems. The JTNC HF team is also pathfinding for a new tactical MIL-STD to provide more resilient communications. Additionally, the JTNC is engaged in the analysis of software artifacts involving high assurance devices, such as Software Defined Radios (SDR) ported with specific waveforms to support National Security Agency (NSA) efforts. The JTNC participates in Standards-related activities such as the Interface Control Working Group (ICWG) and has been collaborating with the Army on the development of C4ISR/Electronic Warfare Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) specifications. Finally, the JTNC continues evolving its Waveform Assessment and Milestone Review (WASMR) and Capability Characterization processes. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $0.167 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative."

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (1)