The performance of Navy shipboard satellite systems operating in the super high-frequency (SHF) and extremely high-frequency (EHF) bands is inadequate to support warfighting needs, according to a message the service sent in September.
The Navy sent the message internally to all commands but did not publicly release it. It summarizes the service’s top 10 command, control, communications and computer (C4) priorities and problems.
The message, which Federal Computer Week obtained this week, states that poor antenna reliability hampers EHF and SHF satellite communications. A lack of spare parts frequently prolongs outages on Navy ships.
The service also faces severe bandwidth problems for communications systems, the message states. Existing throughput to deployed units is “marginally sufficient to support the warfighters’ needs and woefully insufficient” for many other requirements, according to the message.
The message summarizes issues discussed at the fleet network and communications conference this summer. The message states that the Navy’s C4 priorities for this year seek to promote operations in joint and allied environments and improvements in the coordination and integration of systems on land and ships.
To address joint and allied operations, the message states that “all discussion and decisions [at the fleet conference] were framed with respect to warfighting in a joint and allied/coalition environment. It has never been more clear that our approach to C4 development, procurement and sustainment must use this imperative at its core.”
To push development of integrated systems the message states that “programmatic efforts in the C4 realm must focus on integrated warfighting capability, not specific portions of the network that will not yield gains without an end-to-end approach.”
“End-to-end procedures, doctrine and governance for C4 provisioning are lacking or inadequate with no single accountable owner,” the message adds. The Naval Network Warfare Command will be responsible for standardization, performance and development of all C4 procedures and doctrine, it states.
Fleet commanders will be accountable for the enforcement and adherence of all service-level agreements and related C4 doctrine, the message adds.
The Navy’s top 10 C4 priorities for this year that focused primarily on the joint/allied operations and integrated themes are:
Digg
De.licio.us
Slashdot
Technorati
