Singh, Gurminder

There is a capability shortfall between stated priorities of Marine Corps expeditionary strategy and the demonstrated ability to conduct distributed command and control operations. This research proposes a study of current and emerging aerial layer communications, such as balloons or small form factor aerostats (tethered and untethered) and long-endurance UAVs, to provide high-capacity, high-availability communications support in satellite-denied terrain. Through field experiments of leveraging COTS technologies, the study will address the feasibility of purported aerial layer architectures. The current status and direction of the Joint Aerial Layer Network will be considered within the study. The results of the study will inform best options to equip expeditionary forces with reliable Over-the-Horizon, On-the-Move communications to the tactical end user.
NPS Naval Research Program
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Navy
2016