Airborne communications node risk reduction strategy

An airborne communications node (ACN) opens up a wide variety of new services for the warfighter. Such a system can provide theater-wide communications and reach-back connectivity to out-of-theater sites through satellite communication links. It could also implement a `virtual´ airborne command and control center (ABCCC) on an unmanned aerial vehicle such as the Global Hawk. To demonstrate some of these capabilities on an unmanned aerial vehicle by the year 2000, L-3 Communications has constructed a system integration lab (SIL) to address the technical issues perceived to be pivotal to a successful ACN implementation. We have developed an open systems approach that is scaleable and fully expandable to include an assortment of candidate communication systems. The initial system configuration includes elements of the Global Hawk integrated communications system, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch, a communications manager and selected tactical radios. Radio element interface units (REIUs) adapt the personality of each type of radio to the ATM environment and provide the `plug and play´ capability. A multi-level security system allows the hardware to handle data from various sources at different security levels. This paper summarizes our approach to risk reduction and reports on progress to date towards demonstrating the capabilities of an airborne communications node