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The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff established the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System processes for acquisition of joint capabilities which are achieved through network-centric applications, services, enterprise systems, Family of Systems (FoS) and System of Systems (SoS). In many cases, advanced technologies must be matured simultaneously by multiple systems to support the degree of interoperability and/or integration required. Current DoD guidance with respect to technology development and assessment is focused on a acquisition of a system which operates relatively independently within a collection of other independent systems. An approach to technology development and technology readiness assessment of advanced technologies which support network-centric systems is required for successful development and fielding of network centric warfighting capabilities. Fundamental activities of technology maturation and assessments are the definition of a relevant environment and the ability to identify the critical technologies that provide for interoperable or interdependent functions. This paper proposes definitions for System of Systems and Family of Systems, degrees/levels of interoperability, and SoS Technology Readiness Assessment requirements and guidelines. SoS acquisition strategies are proposed to support program synchronization and SoS engineering activities which are key to successful development of net-centric Service and Joint capabilities., http://archive.org/details/systemofsystemst109453273, Department of Navy author (civilian)., Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

This thesis explores the possible gains and discusses the constraints of a communications system that uses a ship to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) radio frequency (RF) link paired with a UAV to satellite free space optic (FSO) link to accomplish satellite communications. Analysis shows that a data rate of 2 gigabits per second (Gbps) with a 1 . 10 probability of bit error can be attained by a shipboard system with a relatively small antenna and power supply if an FSO-enabled UAV is used. An experiment demonstrated that the addition of an FSO link and additional routing does not reduce the performance of a slower data rate RF link. The findings indicate that a composite RF and FSO ship-UAV-satellite system can be used within the Transformational Communications Architecture (TCA) and with the Navy's FORCEnet to enable network-centric operations (NCO)., http://archive.org/details/shipboardradiofr109451991, Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Information, and the knowledge gained from it, has been the key component to strategic planning since the earliest combat operations. Success in the Information Age is defined by the military's ability to communicate effectively in a dynamic environment and share relevant information seamlessly. Sharing information is a critical element to understanding missions that employ the operational concept of Network-Centric Operations and Warfare (NCOW). Discovering valuable information is vital towards our capacity to predict and/or prevent circumstances in our current war against terrorist organizations. This thesis describes fundamental concepts of information sharing and information discovery. Through the use of a systems engineering approach, this thesis created a common vision of an information sharing and discovery (ISD) system, evaluates the role of ISD in network-centric systems (NCS), and discusses the relationship of NCS to NCOW. This study also employs the system architecture method to establish the operational concept of ISD systems, derive requirements for future acquisitions of ISD systems, analyze the interactions that ISD systems have with external systems, and establish a functional architecture for the ISD system. This research approach provides guidance for the development and integration of future ISD systems in order to meet the needs of future DoD NCS., http://archive.org/details/anssessmentsurve109454456, US Navy (USN) author., Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

AN/ARC-210 UHF radios. In every instance, these sets require individualized training and calibration to ensure that they all operate when needed. Further, these independent systems often have difficulty cross-communicating, as a result of incorrect time hacks, outdated fills, or improper frequency ID's, the list goes on. The way the Marine Corps has dealt with this is to establish a Tactical Network such as the Fire Support Coordination Center (FSCC) and Direct Air Support Center (DASC) that act as liaison between these elements. This slows down the passing of information and even loses words, phrases, and (often times) the meaning of what is being communicated. Emerging on the scene is the Global Information Grid (GIG) that brings with it a veritable cornucopia of information and a network of resources that would be unreachable by UHF/VHF/HF communications. To access this, the Department of Defense in general, and the Marine Corps in specific needs to adopt communications devices that speak the same language. IP-based radios are the only viable option., http://archive.org/details/meshnetworkswith109453324, US Marine Corps (USMC) author., Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

CHDS State/Local, Our nation's ability to respond to natural or man-made disasters has remained relatively unchanged since the attacks of 9/11. Current response operations are characterized by the inability to efficiently produce a collaborative and effective response to incidents of national significance and address the challenges of the Information Age. The military has adapted network-centric tenants and principles from business applications to effectively operate in the Information Age and increase mission effectiveness. These tenants and principles can be adapted by responders to address current deficiencies and increase mission effectiveness. Implementation of "network-centric response" is both technologically and organizationally feasible. Network-centric response operations would allow responders to meet the challenges and leverage the opportunities of the Information Age, resulting in increased mission effectiveness., http://archive.org/details/frombattlefieldt109453561, Commander, US Navy (USN) author.

The concept of Network Centric Warfare (NCW) promises to revolutionize the manner in which warfare and military operations are planned and executed. While many information systems are in development, or currently in production, which seize on the NCW initiative with the goal of enabling United States and coalition military to share information on a scale never before seen, the pace of application development has outpaced that of transmission media development. As information systems become more complex and the amount of information that must be exchanged between units on every level of the military hierarchy has increased, units on the tactical edge that must rely on satellite communications or low bandwidth radio communications will increasingly find themselves on the outside of NCW environment looking in. This research effort will demonstrate the increasing communication needs of naval units within a battlegroup and amphibious distributed operations environment and discuss the significant limitations that these units face with respect to bandwidth and how that affects their ability to efficiently transfer information. This research will also propose a tactical network based on IEEE Standard 802.16 wireless technology as a means of creating a tactical network for use within the battlegroup reducing the reliance on satellites communications to facilitate all of the communications needs of the units. Based on previous research efforts and field experimentation conducted for this research effort, recommendations are also made for improving the protocols contained in IEEE Standard 802.16 to make them even more suitable for use in a tactical environment, in addition to recommended research of support hardware for wireless communications based on IEEE Std 802.16., http://archive.org/details/efficacyofieeeba109453212, US Navy (USN) author., Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

This thesis explores information network metrics, the concept of netted radar, and network theory in a network-centric warfare environment. It begins with a discussion of the relationship between the network space and the battlespace. MATLAB simulations are developed to demonstrate the concepts and quantify the network metrics discussed for important information and netted radar configurations. The effect of electronic attack is also addressed. Simulation results to demonstrate the signal-to-noise ratio performance with and without network synchronization are shown, including the degradation due to electronic attack., http://archive.org/details/simulationofnetw109453351, Republic of China author.

In network-centric warfare, access to critical information can result in a strategic advantage. During critical situations, a soldier using tactical devices may need transient access to information beyond their normal clearances. The Least Privilege Separation Kernel (LPSK) being developed at the Naval Postgraduate School, can be the basis of an extended multilevel security (MLS) system that can support and control such access. A Trusted Services Layer (TSL), which depends on the LPSK, provides support for various multilevel security services. Currently, the LPSK lacks a software network stack for networking communications. Without networking functionality, tactical devices cannot share vital situational updates and information superiority is unattainable. An Internet Protocol (IP) stack was proposed for the LPSK-based system. The IP stack is to be implemented in the context of the LPSK architecture, which uses modularity and layering to organize its software. Open source implementations of the IP stack were evaluated to leverage the common functionality required by all IP stacks. Lightweight Internet Protocol (LWIP) was selected as a starting point for use with the LPSK. LWIP required modifications for use with the LPSK. The IP stack and a proof of concept networking demonstration were successfully implemented in this project., http://archive.org/details/ipservicesdesign109454982, Singapore Technologies Engineering author (civilian), Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

This thesis will research the availability and applicability of using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) cellular software, running on a smartphone hardware platform to address communication requirements as identified in a 1st Marine Division, Universal Needs Statement (UNS). Having only conducted introductory research in to this topic, preliminary results have shown that the majority of the research conducted in the past have centered on either COTS cellular software specific to an application, or on the utility of tactical communication devices as they are currently being employed. The intent of this research is to discover if a bridge is possible and available for cellular COTS software running on a COTS smartphone device to be leveraged, thus satisfying communication requirements of small-unit leaders in a tactical environment. Our hypothesis is that COTS technology can provide a number of viable options to address tactical communication shortfalls based on the fact that the communication shortfalls identified, are capabilities that the commercial industry currently exercise on a daily basis, (e.g., text, chat, voice, position location information, imagery and map viewing, streaming video, web browsing and e-mail). All of these identified communication capabilities are available in military command and control systems however, they reside primarily at the higher headquarter levels, requiring large communication assets to establish those services. Furthermore, due to technology shortfalls and asset limitations, only a few of these capabilities are currently being extended down to the small unit level. Many small-unit leaders are experiencing that these limitations in communication capabilities are needlessly placing risks on their mission and their personnel. With COTS smartphone technology and the advancements made in the commercial cellular industry, this research intends to advance the study towards discovery of a viable COTS solution that can satisfy tactical co, http://archive.org/details/andaptivecommuni109455524, Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

r extending the tactical network in support of the warfighter during this information age., http://archive.org/details/applicationofuwb109455216, US Marine Corps (USMC) author, Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.