1. Extending the Mission: NATO AEW Beyond Line-of-Sight Airborne IP-Communications Military Communications & Networks IST Panel Symposium (IST-092/RSY-022)
Good Afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Colleagues,
I am Richard Bird and I come from the NC3A where I provide Scientific and Technical Support as the Future Capabilities Study Lead for the NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force.
What I am about to present to you are the results of exciting work conducted since 2008 by a cast of gifted individuals whom I regret are not with me today. They are led by Matt Roper, the Program Manager, John Mahaffey, his Deputy, and by my Co-Author, the Technical Lead, Donald Kallgren, with whom some of you may be familiar.
As the title states, I will discuss how we have been able to install IP-based connectivity between the NATO AWACS and terrestrial networks, thereby “Extending” the technical capabilities of the aircraft to potentially perform additional “Missions” on behalf of NATO.
Richard F. Bird
NAEW&C Future Capabilities Study Lead
Capability Area Team - 5
Joint Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance
Phone:
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2. Disclaimer
Although NC3A collaborates with national governments and industries in the performance of its activities, any reference to national and/or corporate capabilities, systems, products or images in this presentation does not imply any official or formal NC3A endorsement.
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3. Agenda Background NAEW&C FC IP-Communications Capability Evolution
Emerging Missions, Operational Requirements, Technology
NAEW&C IP-Communications & Network Architectures
Deployable Ground Entry Point
Stage I & II IP-Communications Racks
Concept Development & Experimentation
Summary
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4. Background NATO’s Operational & Technical Environment Changing
Emerging Missions Involve:
Information Intensive Defensive & Expeditionary Operations
Expanded Commander’s Reach
Constrained Timelines
NAEW&C offers Opportunities to “Extend the Mission”
Capability Integration Leverages Current & Emerging Technologies
Innovative Capabilities’ Exploitation Blends C2 & Joint ISR
Permits NAEW&C to evolve into a Joint C2ISR Platform & integrate into the wider Joint C2ISR system
Emerging Operational Requirements: The NATO Alliance has moved from a defensive force to an expeditionary force supporting the full range or operations from combat to disaster relief from defense against terrorism to force protection (ISAF, NRF, HVE). Execution of these operations, in out of area locations requires increased capabilities for collaboration, coordination and command and control. These capabilities, designed to share information as well as direction and guidance require reliable access to large volumes of C2 and ISR data and information. Currently, those products lie within the network enabled environment.
Emerging Network Enabled Capability: NAEW&C Development of onboard chat/IP capabilities using low bandwidth carriers provides options for network enabled collaboration and access to Joint ISR products via the MAJIIC network and the coalition shared data server (CSD)
Supporting the full range of Commanders, Operational to Tactical - Cross Component
Information Intensive Operations:
Time Sensitive Targeting (TST)
Troops in Contact (TIC)
Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR)
Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD)
Cross Component – Cross Coalition:
Reach back – Reach Forward
C2 Extension for the Battlespace
Leveraging other component systems
ISR (Tactical UAV/SIGINT)
Offensive (artillery, rockets, forces)
C2 and ISR – ‘Blurring the Lines’:
Non Traditional ISR (NTISR)
E-3 sensor products
E-3 relay of other sensor products
JISR Coordinator
Relay of ad-hoc tasking
Support to operations
Force protection
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5. NAEW IP-Communications Capability Evolution
2008: NAEW&C FC tasks NC3A to develop operationally viable “chat” capability for ISAF
Three criteria: Operationally Fit for Purpose, No NMT system integration, No E-3 modification
2008/2009: NC3A develops, tests Prototype Stage I IP/Chat Rack & Ground Entry Point (GEP)
HF, UHF, & Iridium Low-bandwidth Carriers
IP/Chat Connectivity using mIRC -> XMPP
Initial IP-Based C2ISR Applications - MAJIIC
2009/10: NC3A expands IP-Communications capability
Deployable Ground Entry Point (DGEP)
Stage II IP-Comms Rack (2G Rack)
Enhanced IP-Based C2ISR Applications
NAEW Test Reference Facility (NTRF)
NAEW&C IP/CHAT Originally designed to meet the requirements of a 2008 NAEW Force tasking to develop an operationally viable ‘chat’ capability to be used to support ISAF.
using HF, UHF & Iridium
Development of to support of NAEW Force tasking
ISAF
Counter-piracy
NRF
Chat/IP Concept
Temporary System
Use Onboard Communications
Antennas
Within power, weight and cooling
Low Bandwidth carriers
Iridium HF
UHF
Access to Secure WAN/LAN
Chat – mIRC/XMPP
AIS
Other C2ISR Related Capabilities
C2IS – ICC
Joint ISR - MAJIIC HF
UHF
Iridium
ACC- CAOC
CJTF HQ
MCC
LCC
Secure WAN/LAN
GEP
Chat/IP data
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6. NAEW IP-Communications: Deployable Ground Entry Point (1)
Red-Rack-CIS
Secure-LAN/WAN access
Local servers (Chat / AIS / CSD)
Multi-media wireless IP comms:
Dual-channel Iridium SATCOM
HF / UHF radio
Red-Rack-Crypto
Quad-channel Sectera/Line-crypto
Secure fibre-optic media to outdoor / radio-room systems
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7. NAEW IP-Communications: Deployable Ground Entry Point (2)
Outdoor / Radio-Room Kit
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8. Empire Challenge 2010 (EC10) NATO System View - DGEP

9. NAEW IP-Communications: 2G Rack
Multiple laptop/SDC Interfaces
On-board IP-routing / servers
Secure multi-bearer IP comms
dual-channel Iridium (w/ current or new antenna)
dual HF / UHF radio
growth for new bearers (e.g., UHF-SATCOM): 2 available interfaces
Info-assurance features
data-diode for real-time secure AIS feed
Modular-component install
over-wing install location
dual-channel Iridium SATCOM, wall-mount at sextant-port location

10. EC10: NATO System View – E3A Systems

11. EC10: Summary Outcome (1) - XMPP Chat-directed ISR Management
Secure XMPP Chat Demo
Successful EC10 Trial collaboration
Secure XMPP chat
Scan-Eagle FMV
L-band
SE FMV Demo
SE Full Motion Video + PPLI + UAV commands + mIRC
TTNT
HF / UHF
ScanEagle
FMV
Mobile Comm Vehicle (MCV)
XMPP
Chat
T1 Line
UAV commands + PPLI + SE Full Motion Video
L-band
HQ – JISR MGR
ScanEagle GCS
SE Full Motion Video + PPLI + UAV commands + mIRC

12. EC10: Summary Outcome (2) – Real-Time Maritime AIS Track Reporting
AIS tracks reported in real-time routinely (EC10-provided and volunteers)
track-forwarding: NIRIS
track-display: ICC, TV32, or NAMESIS
architecture views
AIS-track-report capability operated concurrent with XMPP chat;
XMPP chat used for SE tasking to investigate the track source

13. EC10: Summary Outcome (3) – Operational Utility
Low-bandwidth IP- comms support to concurrent Real-time AIS track-reporting, Still-Imagery Download, Chat-directed C2ISR-Management

14. Potential Future NE3A Enhancements
Radar Picket
Multi-Mission Aircraft
Operational Support
Operational Participation
SATCOM IP
High Bandwidth
COTS
IP onboard
Capabilities
Export
Database
Link 16
Chat
SATCOM IP
Low Bandwidth
Capability
Update/Manage
Database
Access
Database
UHF IP
5066
File
Transfer
1. The graph above shows the capability required to move from a tactical air/surface surveillance and battle management platform to full participation as an extension of the operational level C2 capability. Note that using low bandwidth capabilities, the E-3A has already provided a low level of connectivity for collaboration tools. Limited capability to connect to databases is possible and could provide limited utility to JFC/CJTF commanders and staffs using low bandwidth carriers as long as products are kept small (<50 kb)Future enhancements to the system cover a wide range. Figure 11 below depicts a potential path for future enhancements. In keeping with its initial guidelines for rapid prototyping, the current system is standalone, with its own end-systems to host IP-chat and C2ISR processes. Migration of these processes to the NE3A mission system will require its accreditation to connect to ground-based networks through the DGEP. As an intermediate step, the IP chat capability will be integrated with one or more standalone NE3A situation display consoles (SDC). With new on-orbit capabilities, INMARSAT capability may be added to the NE3A using sextant antennas. Use of bonded IRIDIUM antennae and channels to increase redundancy and bandwidth has been demonstrated in ground tests with the current kit, and awaits installation on the NE3A and flight evaluation. As noted earlier, NAEW&C FC will explore revamping the on board UHF SATCOM system and adding it as a bearer. Advanced IP routing and quality-of-service management regimes for multi-bearer operation are currently being evaluated and will be included in later versions of the prototype.
Figure 11: Depiction of Future Enhancements to NE3A (NC3A)
Ultimately, installation of stable high-speed air-to-ground communications system at Ku-band (e.g., TCDL or Ku-Band SATCOM) would provide ample bandwidth (> 10 Mbps) to meet new mission requirements; but these will require extensive analysis, airframe rework, and airworthiness recertification before they could bear fruit. Pending such development, the multi-bearer approach explored and described herein will be capable of meeting the initial goals for new C2ISR missions. The most significant future enhancements must also focus on training, logistics, and system management for improved operational performance.
HF IP
5066
XMPP
chat
IRC
chat
Communications
C2IS – Intelligence Applications
Jan 08 – May 10
Time
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15. Summary NATO’s Operational & Technical Environment Changing
Emerging Missions Involve:
Information Intensive Defensive & Expeditionary Operations
Expanded Commander’s Reach
Constrained Timelines
NAEW&C offers Opportunities to “Extend the Mission”
Capability Integration Leverages Current & Emerging Technologies
Innovative Capabilities Exploitation Blends C2 & Joint ISR
Permits NAEW&C to evolve into a Joint C2ISR Platform & integrate into the wider Joint C2ISR system
Applicable to all platforms with access to HF, UHF, and/or Iridium
MPA
Air Transport
Ground Systems
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16. Mr. Matt Roper – NAEW&C Project Manager (CAT 5 JISR, NAEW&C) Ext 3697
CONTACTING NC3A
NC3A Brussels
Visiting address:
Bâtiment Z Avenue du Bourget 140 B-1110 Brussels Telephone +32 (0) Fax +32 (0)
Postal address: NATO C3 Agency Boulevard Leopold III B-1110 Brussels - Belgium
NC3A The Hague
Oude Waalsdorperweg AK The Hague Telephone +31 (0) Fax +31 (0)
Postal address: NATO C3 Agency P.O. Box CD The Hague The Netherlands
Mr. Richard Bird – NAEW&C Future Capabilities Study Lead (CAT 5 JISR, NAEW&C) Ext 3656
Mr. Don Kallgren – NAEW&C Technical Lead (CAT 9 Communications Infrastructure Services) Ext 3442
Mr. Matt Roper – NAEW&C Project Manager (CAT 5 JISR, NAEW&C) Ext 3697
Mr. John Mahaffey – Deputy NAEW&C Project Manager (CAT 5 JISR, NAEW&C) Ext 3782
3/31/2017
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17. Issues & Challenges
Latency poses technical & operational challenges in low-bandwidth systems
Delays affect operational response and utility, particularly in mixed-network chat environments
Delay on any link proportional to traffic volume and inversely proportional to link speed
Low-bandwidth links are the dominant delay factor, compounded by half-duplex channel turnaround in legacy radio systems
Network protocols & applications developed on over-provisioned high-speed networks to expect and provide fast response
Client-server applications invoke lengthy and complex dialogs which offer high traffic loads
Global network introduces additional delays, as aircraft traffic may circle the earth on paths through multiple IRIDIUM satellites and terrestrial gateways back to the ground-based operations centres
Latency poses technical and operational challenges in low-bandwidth systems. Network protocols and applications are developed on over-provisioned high-speed networks to expect and provide fast response. Client-server applications invoke lengthy and complex dialogs to provide enhanced capability in service-oriented architectures, but offer much higher traffic loads while doing so. With the delay on any link proportional to traffic volume and inversely proportional to link speed, low-bandwidth links are the dominant delay factor, which is compounded by half-duplex channel turnaround in legacy radio systems. The global network introduces additional delays, as aircraft traffic may circle the earth on paths through multiple IRIDIUM satellites and terrestrial gateways back to the ground-based operations centres. Such delays affect operational response and utility, particularly in mixed-network chat environments, as user responses in shared chat rooms may arrive out of sequence or be dropped entirely as lower-level processes (such as TCP-connection management) timeout and reset connections.
Analysis of these issues throughout the system has led to a wide range of mitigation strategies and configuration changes referred to collectively as ‘tuning’. Careful analysis of the XMPP chat-client logon sequence has introduced a set of bandwidth conserving options to the NATO JChat client. Changes in TCP-connection parameters, particularly in initial estimates of the round-trip delay and maximum number of retries, introduce greater system tolerance to round-trip delay. Static pre-configuration of directory and route servers off-loads their traffic from low-bandwidth links, but, as these changes are not broadly scalable in large networks, edge-proxies and XMPP server-to-server federation localize the tuning to the aircraft and DGEP. Further detailed analysis of the traffic flows has detected unwanted contributors (e.g., NETBIOS on end systems) that can be turned off, has established realistic traffic models of chat-room behaviour based on operational experience, and has pointed to unexpected timeout limitations lurking in software libraries that require further exploration and correction.
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18. Mitigation strategies and configuration changes – “tuning”
Analysis of XMPP chat-client logon sequence has introduced bandwidth conserving options to NATO JChat client
Changes in TCP-connection parameters, particularly in initial estimates of the round-trip delay and maximum number of retries, introduce greater system tolerance to round-trip delay
Static pre-configuration of directory and route servers off-loads their traffic from low-bandwidth links
These changes are not broadly scalable in large networks
Edge-proxies and XMPP server-to-server federation localize the tuning to the aircraft and DGEP
Further detailed analysis of the traffic flows:
Has detected unwanted contributors (e.g., NETBIOS on end systems) that can be turned off
Has established realistic traffic models of chat-room behaviour based on operational experience
Points to unexpected timeout limitations lurking in software libraries that require further exploration and correction
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