Soldiers test equipment for multi-domain combat and prepare to maximize its effect in dynamic battlefields during the two-week long Network Integration Evaluation that takes places annually at Fort Bliss outside of El Paso, Texas.
The TCN-L, now in a Humvee, can provide network connectivity on the move, and now consists of one flat panel at waist-level for easy access to the servers. Most of the equipment is now virtualized so it saves space and the air-conditioning to keep the system cool doesn’t have to push as hard so overheating isn’t as much of an issue, even in the desert in July. (Jen Judson/Staff)
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A CH-47 Chinook takes military personnel out to a Tactical Operations Center in the middle of the desert at Fort Bliss, Texas, July 26, during the two-week long Network Integration Evaluation that takes places annually at the fort outside of El Paso. (Jen Judson/Staff)
A UH-60 Black Hawk is blurred in the heat of the Chinook engines paired with the nearly noon desert sun. Several helicopters headed out to visit the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, dispersed across a huge, austere training complex. (Jen Judson/Staff)
A Black Hawk lands in the desert just outside of the 2nd BCT’s TOC, escorting military personnel including U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command commander Gen. David Perkins. (Jen Judson/Staff)
A Chinook, like the one pictured, was used to sling-load a Tactical Communications Node-Lite system into the field earlier in the week to test part of the tactical network’s capability to be used effectively by an air assault unit like the 2nd BCT of the 101st Airborne. (Jen Judson/Staff)
A soldier operates the Tactical Communications Node-Lite (TCN-L) at the NIE just outside of the TOC. The TCN-L was delivered by sling-load. TCN-L is essentially a smaller, more nimble node of the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical, the Army’s tactical network. Previously, WIN-T was so large it a 5-ton truck was used as the platform. It required a ladder to access the equipment. (Jen Judson/Staff)
The TCN-L, now in a Humvee, can provide network connectivity on the move, and now consists of one flat panel at waist-level for easy access to the servers. Most of the equipment is now virtualized so it saves space and the air-conditioning to keep the system cool doesn’t have to push as hard so overheating isn’t as much of an issue, even in the desert in July. (Jen Judson/Staff)
A soldier powers up the TCN-L in the cab of the Humvee. (Jen Judson/Staff)
The TCN-L was performing well during tests out at the NIE, according to users, and provided much needed mobility. It’s important to move network communication systems regularly in order to avoid detection by enemy looking to locate forces or jam connections. (Jen Judson/Staff)
The TCN-L among other satellite-based network nodes were positioned outside of the TOC during the NIE for test and evaluation. (Jen Judson/Staff)
Other network and communications systems were tested and evaluated near the TOC during the NIE including the WIN-T Network Operations and Security Center- Lite, which provides network operations capability with automated tools to respond to network events. The NOSC-L is designed to support units like the air assault unit conducting the NIE because it’s lighter-weight, more mobile and can be sling-loaded. (Jen Judson/Staff)
The 2nd BCT from the 101st Airborne is the first non-designated, non-permanent unit to conduct an NIE in the history of the annual evaluation exercise. All other NIEs were conducted by a heavy armored brigade combat team, but the Army decided to switch it up and use a light infantry unit, so far, with mostly positive results. (Jen Judson/Staff)
Lt. Col. Keith Carter, the 2nd BCT’s 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment commander, tells the Army TRADOC commander Perkins the pros and cons of the Mobile User Objective System capability on a 155 Manpack radio at the NIE. (Jen Judson/Staff)
Perkins hears from soldiers in Carter’s unit about the systems being evaluated including the MUOS on a 155 Manpack radio, electronic warfare prototypes, among several other items. Soldiers said work needs to be done on weight and battery life for dismounted capability. (Jen Judson/Staff)
Soldiers evaluated the Maneuver Aviation Fires Integrated Application (MAFIA) tool at the NIE. It provides communication through command levels and generates precision coordinates for precision and non-precision fires in both rural and urban environments. Those trying it out said it could be hardened a bit more, since it employs the use of a commercial off-the-shelf cell phone. (Jen Judson/Staff)
A Humvee moves position out at the NIE. Carter said he decided to put his Tactical Assault Centers (TACs) in a Humvee and move them every 15 minutes since the unit was constantly on the radio. The Humvees would be moved a few hundred meters in every direction in order to avoid location detection by the enemy, a survivability strategy in a peer and near-peer environment. (Jen Judson/Staff)
Jen Judson is an award-winning journalist covering land warfare for Defense News. She has also worked for Politico and Inside Defense. She holds a Master of Science degree in journalism from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kenyon College.
The contracts will detail the level of commercial capability the service needs in peacetime and provide a means to access more capacity during conflict.
