The Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS), pronounced Jitters,
is a highly acclaimed software-defined radio (SDR) initiative of the
US Department of Defense (DoD), launched in 1997, that aimed to replace all
existing hardware-based solutions. It is backward compatible with
SINCGARS radios and HAVEQUICK frequency hopping.
Due to budget overruns, technical problems, specification changes
and full program restructurings,
introduction of JTRS was postphoned several times.
It was initially hoped that the first JTRS units could be introduced in 2010,
but the first Request For Proposal (RFP) was not announced before June 2015.
The goal was to start full production in 2017, but even that goal wasn't met [1].
JTRS is widely regarded one of the greatest acquisition failures of the
US Department of Defense.
Over a period of 15 years, no less than US$ 6 billion was spent,
and not a single radio had been fielded [2].
Within JTRS, the aim is to provide a hardware-independent software-based
framework that can be used to create applications — known as Waveforms —
for any type of JTRS-compliant radio platform, regardless the manufacturer,
with a minimal implementation/porting effort. Under direction of the USDoD,
the requirements are defined in the Software Communications Architecture (SCA).
The SCA is an open standard 1 that allows manufacturers to produce
SCA-compliant SDR radios.
Not open source.
Clusters
Initially, the work on JTRS took place in five clusters, each run by
one of the Armed Forces. In 2005 and 2006, following a complete
reorganisation and restructuring of the JTRS program, and
assignment of a Joint Program Executive Office (JPEO), the projects
were redefined and renamed.
#
Description
Org
Later
1
Marine & Army ground vehicles, WNW, TACPs, Army helicopters
Initially, each of the US Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force and SOC)
was responsible for its own projects within the JTRS system, as defined
in the above Clusters.
In 2006, as a result of lack of progress and coordination and
severe budged overruns, a Joint Program Executive Office (JPEO) was
established. The JPEO subsequently reorganised and restructured
the program, and reassigned the budget. From then on, JTRS was composed of six
Acquisition Categories (ACATs):
NED
Network Enterprise Domain
The JTRS Network Enterprise Domain (NED) was responsible for the
development, sustainment and enhancement of interoperable networking and
legacy waveforms.
Its product line comprises: 14 Legacy Waveforms,
3 Mobile Ad-Hoc Networkig Waveforms, and Network Enterprise Services (NES).
GMR
Ground Mobile Radios — cancelled
The JTRS Ground Mobile Radios (GMR) was a key category that provides
critcal communications capabilities for all joint operations. It can emulate
previous generation radios through software reconfiguration. It also offers
new IP-based self-forming, self-healing and managed networking waveforms
with increased speed.
GMR radios are SCA-compliant and can be scaled between 1 and 4 channels
– with multiple security levels – in the 2 MHz to 2 GHz 1 frequency range.
Starting in June 2002, GMR was developed by Boeing, but due to budget
overruns and lack of performance, the project was cancelled in October 2011.
HMS
Handheld, Manpack & Small form fit
The JTRS Handheld, Manpack & Small form fit (HMS) deals with physical
hardware that is SCA-compliant and can be used in the field. It can host
SCA-compliant waveforms known as applications.
It offers Type 1 encryption in combination with UHF/SATCOM,
SRW, HF, EPLRS, MUOS and SINCGARS.
Various HMS solutions have meanwhile been fielded.
MIDS
Multifunctional Information Distribution System
The Multifunctional Information Distribution System JTRS (MIDS) is a
secure, scalable, modular, wireless and jam-resistant digital information
system. It provides real-time low-cost infomation and situational awareness
via digital and voice communications within JTRS. MIDS currently
provies TACAN, Link-16 and J-Voice to airborne, ground and maritime
joint and coalition warfighting platforms.
MIDS-JTRS is a drop-in replacement (also known as FFF) for
MIDS-LVT, funded by five nations.
AMF
Airborne & Maritime/Fixed station
The JTRS Airborne & Maritime/Fixed station (AMF) provides 4-channel,
full-duplex SDR that can be integrated into airborne, maritime and
fixed-station platforms. It implements 5 initial waveforms:
UHF/SATCOM, MUOS, WNW, SRW and Link-16, providing simultaneous
voice, data and networking capabilities (including video).
JEM
JTRS Enhanced MBITR
The JTRS Enhanced MBITR is a replacement for the handheld
Multi-Band Intra-Team Radio (MBITR). The project was initially led by
the SOC and adds JTRS capability to the handheld
AN/PRC-148, which then becomes the AN/PRC-148 JEM.
The development contract was awarded to Thales in March 2007.
The device is in full production (2024).
The upper end was later increased to support frequencies above 2 GHz.
Waveforms
The following waveforms were planned for JTRS, but only a subset
has actually been implemented in JTRS increment 1.
For a detailed description, please refer to
the JTRS page on Wikipedia[1].
Currently, only increment 1 has been funded. Missing items
are deferred to later increments.
Within JTRS, the Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) is a networking
software (application) that aims to provide voice, data and video
capabilities to small combat units and unmanned systems. It is the
cornerstone of the Army's lower tier tactical network [3]. It was
originally designed for 3 domains:
SS
Soldier System
UGS/IMS
Unattended Ground Sensor / Intelligent Munitions Systems 1
NLOS-LS
None-Line-of-Sight Launch System 1
In most cases only the first domain (SS) is considered, as it supports
combat communications between dismounted soldiers and their support ground
and air vehicles [3]. Interoperability with other
networking waveforms, such as the Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW),
is a key aspect of SRW design. It is designed to operate as a mobile
ad-hoc network (MANET), enabling communications through a self-configuring
intrastructure-less network of mobile nodes.
In the SRW/SS domain, these nodes operate in the 225-2500 MHz band,
and offer three modes of operation:
CC
Combat Communication
EW
Electronic Warfare (anti-jamming, ECCM)
LPI/LPD
Featureless Low Probability of Intercept / Low Propability of Detection 1
In addition, SRW provides push-to-talk (PTT) Combat Radio Network (CRN)-like
voice communication service for CC and EW modes, allowing the use of call groups.
May not be implemented at present.
ESIP Waveform
The Enhanded SINCGARS Improvement Program (ESIP) is a waveform
that improves performance of SINCGARSASIP upgraded radios.
It is said to improve the overall performance of voice and data
transmission, with a 90% reduction in network fragmentation, while
maintaining 100% backward compatibility with earlier SINCGARS models.
The ESIP waveform also provides automatic retransmission for voice
and packet data networks, using other SINCGARS units to extend its range.
Contractors
Boeing
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, headquartered in St. Louis
(Missouri, USA), was
responsible for the development of the Ground Mobile Radios (GMR)
program, using the following subcontactors:
Northrop Grumman, Rockwell Collins, BAE Systems and
Harris (support).
The development program suffered from many delays and budget overruns.
It was initially scheduled to run until March 2012, but was
terminated prematurely in 2011.
Thales JTRSHMS radios are jointly developed by
Thales and
General Dynamics. They are the successors to the
PRC-148 and PRC-152 single-channel handheld radios,
and implement secure voice/data and SRW.
Thales received US$ 3.5 billion for first-year procurement and was allowed
to compete for more parts of the 5-year program, allowing them to make up to
US$ 9 billion. The PRC-148 JEM is in full production (2024).
General Dynamics JTRSHMS radios are jointly developed by
Thales and
General Dynamics.
General Dynamics was also the developer of Manpack radios. The first 100 units
were delivered in 2012 but reportedly showed poor reliability. Nevertheless,
the Army ordered 4000 additional units.
In addition, General Dynamics has developed the
AIM II and JTRS AIM cryptographic processors,
which are used in JTRS radios developed by
Thales and
General Dynamics.
Harris Harris was also awarded a contract for the developent
of HMS, worth US$2.7 billion for first-year procurement, and was allowed
to compete for more parts of the 5-year program, allowing them to make
up to US$ 7 billion. In addition, Harris acted as a
subcontractor for Boeing (in an advisory role) during the GMR
development.
Lockheed Martin
On 28 March 2008, Lockheed Martin was selected to develop tactical
communications and networking gear for Air Force, Army, Navy and other users.
The initial System Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract was worth
US$ 766 million. The following subcontractors are listed:
BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman and
Raytheon.
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Crypto Museum. Created: Thursday 02 May 2024. Last changed: Sunday, 05 May 2024 - 09:30 CET.
