Os "Tactical Data Link" na Força Aérea Portuguesa

Sendo amplamente reconhecido que nos campos de batalha modernos existe um aumento sem precedentes do volume de informação que é necessária processar para suportar o planeamento operacional e as decisões em combate, os sistemas automáticos de transmissão de dados são considerados a chave para o sucesso. Para a Força Aérea Portuguesa estes sistemas revelam-se de primordial importância para que possa cumprir os desígnios da Defesa Nacional, bem como com as obrigações assumidas por Portugal no âmbito da North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). A presente investigação pretende avaliar como é efectuada a exploração dos Tactical Data Link (TDL) que a Força Aérea possui, no que diz respeito à sua interoperabilidade e capacidade de interacção entre as plataformas operadas e a sua influência no Sistema de Comando e Controlo Aéreo de Portugal. O estudo tem em consideração que, presentemente, decorre a extensão deste sistema ao Arquipélago da Madeira e que, simultaneamente, decorrem os planos para a sua substituição pelo novo sistema de Comando e Controlo da NATO denominado ACCS. As conclusões apresentadas demonstram que a Força Aérea efectua uma exploração dos sistemas TDL ao nível das suas congéneres dos países que integram a NATO e debate-se com os mesmos desafios no que concerne à interoperabilidade dos sistemas. Em termos meramente nacionais, as conclusões apresentadas demonstram ainda que a Força Aérea tem efectuado boas opções no que toca ao apetrechamento das suas plataformas com capacidades TDL, exceptuando-se o sistema de armas EH-101 que, devido à natureza da missão que desempenha, tinha toda a vantagem que estivesse equipada com capacidade de Link 16. Abstract: Being widely known that in modern battlefields, there is an unprecedented increase of the volume of information, which is necessary to process to support the operational planning and the combat decisions, the automatic systems of data transmission are being considered the key factor For the Portuguese Air Force these systems are proving to be of paramount importance that can fulfill the wishes of National Defense and with the obligations assumed by Portugal in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The present research intends to evaluate the way the Tactical Data Link (TDL) belonging to the Air Force is being used, concerning the interoperability and interaction capability among the platforms in operation and its influence in the Portuguese Air Command and Control System. The study takes into account that the extension of this system to the Madeira Islands is taking place and simultaneously there are plans for its substitution by the new NATO system called ACCS. The conclusions presented show that the Portuguese Air Force uses the TDL systems in the same way as the Air Forces of the other countries, which are part of the Atlantic Treaty (NATO), and faces the same challenges in what concerns the interoperability of the systems. At national level, the conclusions also show, good options have been taken concerning the equipment of the platforms with TDL capabilities, except for the weapon system EH-101 which, due to the nature of the mission it fulfills, should be equipped with Link 16 capability

A relational oriented approach to system of systems assessment of alternatives for data link interoperability

Relational Oriented Systems Engineering (ROSE) is applied to a large scale system of systems tactical data link interoperability problem. A model driven framework structure developed using the ROSE methodology is employed to prescribe a repeatable approach for determining viable candidate solutions that completes and makes rigorous a previous capability based exploratory analysis performed by the Office of the Chief Engineer of the U.S. Navy. This novel and efficient approach to a long standing problem concentrates on the relationships between models to provide a framework and factorization of a system of systems architecture for portfolio selection and evaluation. The approach is demonstrated in a simplified but end-to-end case study derived from the original data link interoperability analysis. The abstract approach employed can be applied to a much wider class of problems than data link interoperability

Model-based tool support for Tactical Data Links: an experience report from the defence domain

The Tactical Data Link (TDL) allows the exchange of information between cooperating platforms as part of an integrated command and control (C2) system. Information exchange is facilitated by adherence to a complex, message-based protocol defined by document-centric standards. In this paper, we report on a recent body of work investigating migration from a document-centric to a model-centric approach within the context of the TDL domain, motivated by a desire to achieve a positive return on investment. The model-centric approach makes use of the Epsilon technology stack and provides a significant improvement to both the level of abstraction and rigour of the network design. It is checkable by a machine and, by virtue of an MDA-like approach to the separation of domains and model transformation between domains, is open to integration with other models to support more complex workflows, such as by providing the results of interoperability analyses in human-readable domain-specific reports conforming to an accepted standard

Optimal Beamforming for Hybrid Satellite Terrestrial Networks with Nonlinear PA and Imperfect CSIT

In hybrid satellite-terrestrial networks (HSTNs), spectrum sharing is crucial to alleviate the "spectrum scarcity" problem. Therein, the transmit beams should be carefully designed to mitigate the inter-satellite-terrestrial interference. Different from previous studies, this work considers the impact of both nonlinear power amplifier (PA) and large-scale channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT) on beamforming. These phenomena are usually inevitable in a practical HSTN. Based on the Saleh model of PA nonlinearity and the large-scale multi-beam satellite channel parameters, we formulate a beamforming optimization problem to maximize the achievable rate of the satellite system while ensuring that the inter-satellite-terrestrial interference is below a given threshold. The optimal amplitude and phase of desired beams are derived in a decoupled manner. Simulation results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed beamforming scheme.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, journa

Command and control for distributed lethality

Exercising command and control (C2) during naval distributed lethality operations presents a complex system of systems (SOS) challenge in support of maritime control. Applying a model based systems engineering (MBSE) approach to C2 within the distributed lethality environment requires development of methodologies to provide definition and structure for existing operational concepts while providing conceptual growth space for new operational techniques. This study develops a systems architecture approach to defining the C2 models for decentralized and distributed command structures and proposes criteria for assessing functionality and impacts to the C2 of naval platforms during distributed lethality operations using MBSE. The C2 modeling for distributed lethality documents the interconnections and relationship of information flow and the system requirements for maintaining the interconnection links during a simulated operational deployment of an adaptive force package (AFP). This modeling structure provides for an architecture view of the functions and measures of effectiveness that provide criteria for decision making during the operational planning of a distributed lethality mission. Development of an initial architecture enables future modeling and architecture refinement through simulations of the C2 structure and further research into technologies and methods of effective communication systems.http://archive.org/details/commandndcontrol1094555534Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Implication of FORCEnet on coalition forces

The coalition navies of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States (AUSCANNZUKUS) are in a period of transformation. They are stepping out of the Industrial Age of warfare and into the Informational Age of warfare. Network Centric Warfare (NCW) is the emerging theory to accomplish this undertaking. NCW describes "the combination of strategies, emerging tactics, techniques, and procedures, and organizations that a fully or even partially networked force can employ to create a decisive war fighting advantage." 1 This theory is turned into a concept through Network Centric Operations (NCO) and implemented through the FORCEnet operational construct and architectural framework. The coalition navies are moving in a direction to develop and leverage information more effectively and efficiently. This will lead to an informational advantage that can be used as a combat multiplier to shape and control the environment, so as to dissuade, deter, and decisively defeat any enemy. This analysis was comprised of defining three TTCP AG-6 provided vignettes into ARENA model that captured Coalition ESG configurations at various FORCEnet levels. The results of the analysis demonstrated that enhanced FORCEnet capabilities such as FORCEnet Levels 2 and 4 would satisfy the capability gap for a needed network-centric ESG force that can effectively counter insurgency operations in Maritime warfare. Furthermore, the participating allied navies in the Coalition ESG should pursue acquisition strategies to upgrade their ship platforms in accordance with our recommendation which indicates that FORCEnet Level 2 is the best value.http://archive.org/details/implicationoffor109456926N

Hybrid semantic-document models

This thesis presents the concept of hybrid semantic-document models to aid information management when using standards for complex technical domains such as military data communication. These standards are traditionally text based documents for human interpretation, but prose sections can often be ambiguous and can lead to discrepancies and subsequent implementation problems. Many organisations produce semantic representations of the material to ensure common understanding and to exploit computer aided development. In developing these semantic representations, no relationship is maintained to the original prose. Maintaining relationships between the original prose and the semantic model has key benefits, including assessing conformance at a semantic level, and enabling original content authors to explicitly define their intentions, thus reducing ambiguity and facilitating computer aided functionality. Through the use of a case study method based on the military standard MIL-STD-6016C, a framework of relationships is proposed. These relationships can integrate with common document modelling techniques and provide the necessary functionality to allow semantic content to be mapped into document views. These relationships are then generalised for applicability to a wider context. Additionally, this framework is coupled with a templating approach which, for repeating sections, can improve consistency and further enhance quality. A reflective approach to model driven web rendering is presented and evaluated. This reflective approach uses self-inspection at runtime to read directly from the model, thus eliminating the need for any generative processes which result in data duplication across source used for different purpose