Strategos (Jan 2022)
Improving the integrity of military-defence communication systems using network access points with a focus on terrestrial radio-relay links
Abstract
Obvious changes in a very broad field of the information and communication technologies are the key driver of the accelerated development of every sphere of human activity, including private life. In the military organization, this technological progress is present through the “post 2000” concept of the networked implementation of operations, which is implemented to varying degrees in armies around the world. New confrontations on the modern front include demands for an ever-increasing volume of the electronic traffic, complexity of the systems that generate, share and consume information content, and above all, the fastest possible availability of the relevant information. The race for information superiority is accompanied, on the other hand, by an ever more destructive highly sophisticated threats, from classic degradations and physical destruction, action of the hybrid (intelligence-combat) platforms of the unmanned systems, to cyber-electromagnetic activities of an offensivedefensive nature. The new paradigms of the multi-domain warfare and expected scenarios that such forms of engagement put forward, demand from the modern military organization further normative arrangements within the functional area related to communication information systems. At the operational-strategic level, they imply the introduction of adequate organizational concepts and doctrines, while in the implementation part they require correction of the established tactics, techniques and procedures. In such an operational environment, integrative efforts within today’s militarydefence communication systems transformed into unique complete solutions have brought a special challenge. Key networking of the mission components is provided by network access points. For this reason, they are the subject of special attention of the network designers, both conceptually and in terms of implementation. The effectiveness of their functioning is also an assessment of the maturity of military thinking, inventiveness and engineering practice – which will bring along defeats or victories to any combat system in future challenges.
