ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- Army Futures Command (AFC) has developed and demonstrated an application within the Soldier's Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) software that allows commanders to maintain terrestrial-based radio coverage with all members of their unit while operating during missions.
The Network Coverage Overlay plug-in improves network situational understanding of which units are within communications range by displaying radio coverage on a digital map within a Soldier's handheld device and within a tactical vehicle's Mounted Family of Computer Systems.
The application -- which was developed by AFC's Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center -- factors in terrain, elevation and distance and can plot courses that will guide disconnected Soldiers back into communications range.
"From a network planning perspective, this is an incredibly useful tool. It gives you the ability to see what your communications are going to look like. Operationally, I will be able to troubleshoot connectivity issues by seeing which radios I can talk to in the network. That is invaluable," noted Sgt. 1st Class David Worthington, the C5ISR Center's senior enlisted advisor.
The software satisfies the Mounted Computing Environment (MCE) requirements for tactical vehicles to provide line-of-sight and site analysis tools to accurately plan communications, said Capt. Matthew Mellor, assistant product manager for Product Manager Joint Battle Command--Platform.
"The Network Coverage Overlay ATAK application aligns with our agile software development methodology to converge third party applications onto the MCE, creating a robust computing environment that enables Soldiers and units to more easily conduct their mission," said Mellor. "We are excited to provide this capability to the Soldier and integrate Network Coverage Overlay ATAK onto our MCE software, which will reside on the Army's vehicle platforms."
Project Manager Mission Command is seeking to complete the transition in Fiscal Year 2020, Mellor noted.
For more information, contact the C5ISR Center Public Affairs Office:
usarmy.apg.ccdc-c5isr.mbx.pao@mail.mil.
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The C5ISR Center is the Army's applied research and advanced technology development center for C5ISR capabilities. As the Army's primary integrator of C5ISR technologies and systems, the center develops and matures capabilities that support all six Army modernization priorities, enabling information dominance and tactical overmatch for the joint warfighter.
The C5ISR Center is an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command. Through collaboration across the command's core technical competencies, CCDC leads in the discovery, development and delivery of the technology-based capabilities required to make Soldiers more lethal to win our nation's wars and come home safely. CCDC is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Futures Command.
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