Network infrastructure adds another layer of complexity to the already-daunting task of tearing down and moving a command post, but the Army is planning a brigade-level demonstration of a wireless base that can be relocated much more quickly.
The Army demonstrated a battalion-sized unclassified wireless command post in May at Network Integration Evaluation 15.2, on Fort Bliss, Texas. At NIE 16.1, planned for the fall, the Army will show the larger wireless network, accommodating classified as well as unclassified data, according to an article at Army.mil.
"Wi-Fi makes the command post much more defensible," said Lt. Col. Stephen Dail, brigade communications officer (S6) for 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, or 2/1 AD, the operational unit for the Army's NIEs.
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Video: NIE 15.1: Testing the Tactical Network
The wireless command post capability is expected to be fielded to units as part of the Army's at-the-halt network Warfighter Information Network-Tactical, or WIN-T, Increment 1.
With the difficult challenge of disconnected and reconnecting network cables, commanders have to think carefully about whether the benefits of moving a base outweigh the risks of the lengthy time needed to reestablish command and control, Dail said.
"Now, right after the tents go up, units can turn on the Wi-Fi 'hotspot' and bam! They have a LAN," said Lt. Col. Joel Babbitt, product manager for WIN-T Increment 1, which manages the command post wireless capability. "So instead of your network coming up last, now it comes up first. Meaning that instead of network communications being restored several hours after jumping to a new location, a unit has it within the first hour after arriving. That's enabling maneuver. Wireless reduces a unit's most vulnerable time period."
