WASHINGTON, Pa. (Nov. 14, 2017) -- As the Army continues to modernize its tactical network capability, the service is looking at methods to deliver software updates 'over-the-air' to operational units. These updates help improve information assurance and system capability.
Recently, Army network modernization program offices partnered with the Pennsylvania National Guard to see if the Global Broadcast System, or GBS, could be used as an alternate means to securely distribute simulated mass software updates to their at-the-halt network systems. Preliminary proof-of-concept findings were positive.
GBS, part of the Army satellite communications inventory since 2005, provides high-speed one-way transmission of video, imagery and other large volume data files to expeditionary unit command posts and garrison locations in support of joint forces worldwide.
"As we face potential peer adversaries in an increasingly complex cyber domain, having redundant means to push on-demand bulk software upgrades to our network equipment more rapidly and efficiently is going to be essential to mission success," said Lt. Col. Jenny Stacy, product manager for Satellite Communications, assigned to Project Manager Tactical Network, which manages GBS for the Army.
GBS uses its own network and leverages commercial satellite broadcast technology to securely deliver large imagery and data files that could overload or burden tactical network capacity, freeing that capacity for other mission critical network traffic. Traditionally, the system broadcasts large volume information products such as imagery, intelligence, weather, biometric data and live-streaming video from unmanned aerial vehicles. This was the first time the Army used GBS in an effort to transfer mass software updates.
Currently, many quarterly software updates are often distributed to network systems via DVDs or hard drives. The Army is seeking alternative methods to deliver the patches faster to operational units. Knowing that the United States Air Force already utilized their GBS capability for software updating, officials from the Army began to look at ways to maximize the service's previous GBS investment.
"We need to be innovative, and look to other services to see what they are doing, and then come up with new ways to use systems that we already in our inventory to improve capability and network security," Stacy said. "GBS is already an Army program of record, so there is minimal cost and maximum benefit to leveraging the system to not only increase our cyber posture, but to use the process as an alternative to using CDs or DVDs to disseminate software updates to deployed units."
The GBS software patch pilot test was conducted with support from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, at the unit's armory in Washington, Pennsylvania, in early November. During the test, the team successfully verified the Army's ability to use GBS to electronically distribute security module files by using the system to send Windows update modules to an at-the-halt Warfighter Information Network-Tactical, or WIN-T, Increment 1 virtual server stack.
WIN-T Increment 1 at-the-halt tactical network transport equipment provides the voice, video and data communications to enable mission command and situational awareness anywhere the mission requires.
"GBS can help securely push updates faster and easier than traditional methods," said Gerard Brennan, network services lead for Project Manager Tactical Network. "It can take six to eight weeks to compile a DVD, ship it out to the various stakeholders, and have them upload to their systems. For those units who possess GBS Receive Suites, this method automates the transfer of these large files."
During the pilot test the unit and field service representatives who supported the test provided feedback on what worked well and what could have been done differently. The Army will use that feedback to further improve and simplify the process, rolling those improvements into the next test, currently planned for the second quarter of 2018.
The follow-on test will be performed in a lab environment to enable the team to test and update systems more efficiently. The team plans to increase the amount of data sent over GBS to see how far the system can be pushed to support software update file transfers. The capability will require additional testing before decisions are made to move forward with the implementation of this process, but the initial results were promising, Brennan said.
Since the Army's Communications-Electronics Command is responsible for patching systems that are in sustainment, PM Tactical Network will work closely with the organization to transfer lessons learned and help further streamline the process.
"Although GBS is only one method of large file transfer, having redundant tactics, techniques and procedures to distribute mass updates increases the reliability and security of the Army's network," Stacy said. "The more options we have, the better we are postured to face potential enemies in the cyber domain."
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The U.S. Army Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical develops, acquires, fields and supports the Army's mission command network to ensure force readiness. This critical Army modernization priority delivers tactical communications so commanders and Soldiers can stay connected and informed at all times, even in the most austere and hostile environments. PEO C3T is delivering the network to regions around the globe, enabling high-speed, high-capacity voice, data and video communications to a user base that includes the Army's joint, coalition and other mission partners.
Related Links:
Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T)
Related Links:
Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T)
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