In a bid to conceal communication systems’ noise and electronic signatures from command posts, the Army Futures Command is exploring the potential for adapting commercial communication technology to reconfigure future command posts.

The Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center — an arm of AFC’s Combat Capabilities Development Command — is spearheading the exploration during the Network Modernization Experiment 2020 (NetModX 20), which will end on Oct. 2 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.

“The work to identify, test and militarize robust communications is critical for command post dispersion and mobility,” said J. Tyler Barton, C5ISR’s lead for Command Post Concepts. “Our goal is to help the Army determine which system specifications are needed to provide an effective operational capability so they can decide which to procure for upcoming command post integrated infrastructure (CPI2) experimentation and operational assessments.”

The initiative supports the U.S. Army’s intent to develop a command post structure with a reduced footprint to replace current tent-based command posts.

During NetModX 20, experiments will explore how systems’ communicate with decreased potential for interception and detection. Additionally, the researchers will explore if a system can circumvent disruption and jamming or identification and targeting from so-called near-peer threats.

“These technologies will bridge the gap between commercial off-the-shelf technology and longer-range science and technology project areas to leverage for near-term quick wins for the Soldier,” said Paul Tardy, PdM CPI2’s futures and lead systems engineer.