CERDEC Conducts Largest Future Force C4ISR & Networking Technology Demonstration to Date

By CERDEC Public AffairsOctober 2, 2008

CERDEC set up One System Remote Video Terminal
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT MONMOUTH, N.J.-The U.S. Army showcased more than 100 new and current technologies tested in the largest integrated exercise of its kind at Fort Dix, N.J.

Product Manager Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance On-the-Move kicked off its annual exercise, referred to as E08, in April in collaboration with the Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center and other government labs, and industry partners. CERDEC is a subordinate element of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command.

PM C4ISR OTM Presentation Days is the culmination of a "test/assess-analyze-fix" process used to support risk mitigation and reduction for Future Combat Systems concepts, Future Force capabilities, and quicken the development of technology into the current forces, determine technology readiness, evaluate emerging industry technologies and quantify end-to-end performance and combat effectiveness.

Throughout the four-month exercise, E08 incorporates various live communications, sensor, and battle command systems. Hosted in a battlefield-like environment, a brigade-sized element is replicated through real Soldiers and virtual and constructive simulation, providing realistic conditions relevant to Soldiers.

The goal is to evaluate the system against specific performance criteria and then facilitate maturation by providing honest feedback to the developing organization throughout the demonstration and at its conclusion.

Activities conducted at PM C4ISR OTM's lab or field sites are constructed to expose systems to conditions not ordinarily available within their individual development environments, facilitating validation of technology readiness levels, and serving as a technology transition venue.

E08 provides the Army and sister services with a venue for quantifying integrated C4ISR, technology transition, and risk mitigation for future developmental and operational tests.