FORT GORDON, Ga. -- The Chief of Signal met with industry leaders last week to present a look at future military needs.
"If we build just for this fight, we are in trouble for the next," said Brig. Gen. Alan Lynn on Sept. 10 at the Second Annual Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association Industry Days conference at the Augusta Marriott Hotels and Suites.
Lynn addressed representatives from businesses about the spectrum and its uses by the fighting force. A graph showed the military bands at the upper and lower ends of the spectrum.
"The sweet spot is here," said Lynn as he pointed to the center of the band. "I don't have the sweet spot."
The lower frequencies require longer antennae and higher power, but they can go over longer distances and provide penetration through trees. On the higher end, there is more data capability and less power requirement, but not as much distance and penetration.
"This works in the desert environment," he said.
However, in future battlefields, the requirements might be different.
He also spoke about the transformation of Army communications in the combining of networks and about new military specialties relating to changing technology.
Lynn said that the commercial sector often has the items the military needs.
"We really want to go as much commercial, off-the-shelf as possible," he said.
However, changes to the acquisition system are needed to make this happen on a quicker, more cost-effective basis.
Robert Damen, president of the Augusta-Fort Gordon Chapter of AFCEA, said about 140 people attended the two-day conference.
"The whole purpose is to bring industry to the Signal Center," said Damen.
Not only did Lynn speak at the event, there were several different panel discussions to link the two entities.
Panels included the Warrant Officer Combat Veteran Panel, the Signal Noncommissioned Officer Combat Veteran Panel and a cellular and wireless panel, he said.
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