There are many concerned as I about the issues with Net-Centric Warfare, cryptonics, bandwidth issues and even as "we put our money where our mouth is" we wonder will it all work? It looks as if it is working and looks like it will work better than we expect. That is a good thing because it is not cheap. One of the biggest concerns with RF for communication is that it is easily intercepted (directional communications methods much tougher indeed). We currently use many frequencies and technologies to transfer data and that also now includes light. One issue is what to do with all the data and still make sure that the data gets to where it is going and ASAP. Not to mention with no errors or so few errors that it is not important. One way to do that is to send information and once it gets going start re-sending the first round of information again, this way any corrupted data can be fixed, only problem is that that takes up more space and adds to the possibility of interception. Luckily it takes a lot of hardware to accumulate all that data and this would mean the enemy must also have not only the world's best way to factor prime numbers using three dimensional equations but must also be able to handle that amount of data flow. http://worldthinktank.net/wttbbs/index.php?showtopic=217 In the net centric game each component must be fully functional and able to move and adapt to local changes quickly like a networked set of businesses in franchising; special team on the football field, small strike force or flash mob: http://worldthinktank.net/wttbbs/index.php?showtopic=182 As each component of the net-centric team survives on it's own it is re-enforced by the whole. But to be re-enforced with it's direct needs the symbiotic relationship needs good information. Just like the body needs to realize that if one part is hurt that the other compensate, the signal used is called pain and it alerts the whole that there is a problem and it behooves the larger system to be advised. Pain is a huge amount of alerting power and therefore in a net-centric system you need to have all possible information to the brain of the whole to decide what to do and where to re-enforce the system best. Now then, how do you get large amounts of data to Central Command? In a way in which the data is safe and cannot be stolen or hacked and give away vital information which could be used against the whole or any of the vital components? Well new technologies in the private sector include: Terabeam. Terabeam, beams information at extremely unheard of rates. By using this technology, TeraBeam can be sent to a UAV for data capture and sending. The new TeraBeam Technology has come a long way; http://www-bsac.eecs.berkeley.edu/%7Emattl.../papers/vsd.pdf Linking UAVs with TeraBeam tracking and data collection systems seems appropriate but things are surely moving slow as is depicted in this report in Jan of 2002. Clearly the thoughts then are so far behind the perceived ability of what can be. https://webportal.saalt.army.mil/sard-asb/A...eless-Final.pdf The sending unit could be on a HumVee and follow and track the UAV in flight and send the data or the UAV could have the tracking unit on it. It could be a predator type UAV or even a Lighter than air Balloon. For intercepting enemy transmissions it could be a balloon which was see through with no apparent radar signature until time to collect the information with shutters made of material needed to collect the information and simply blink on and off as it disrupted, retransmitted for decoding the WOV or disrupt or reflect. For Long range Terabeams. Laser disruption could be made possible by chemical laser or combining pulsed, particle and chemical lasers. A mirror could be used to intercept to steer around it. For sending to a UAV a UAV would be equipped with tiny motors behind mirrors to arch data for sending to a flying UAV with a laser finder MALT Transmitter. This is all possible now without too much problem, just need to build a working prototype if in fact one is not already being built or even used in the field (have heard rumors) as we speak after all a modern day aircraft carrier can send real time directional data transmissions a multitude of ways while in motion and bouncing in the seas in horrible weather to aircraft, satellites, other ships, etc. The only difference would be this is so much faster a way to communicate and we only need to make it smaller to put into aircraft the size of the predator or smaller, the smaller the better. And such a system sure beats the heck out of the older systems as we enter a new age of Net-Centric Warfare. |
