Key Challenges of Military Tactical Networking and the Elusive Promise of MANET Technology

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are considered by many as fundamental to realizing the global information grid (GIG) and the vision of network-centric warfare. Indeed, a fully realized MANET would be powerful in enabling highly mobile, highly responsive, and quickly deployable tactical forces. Howev...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE communications magazine 2006-11, Vol.44 (11), p.39-45
Main Authors: Burbank, Jack L., Chimento, Philip F., Haberman, Brian K., Kasch, William T.
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Access control
Authorization
Bandwidth
Command and control systems
Exteriors
Ground support
Inventions
Land vehicles
Military
Military aircraft
Military strategy
Military technology
Mobile ad hoc networks
Network-centric warfare
Protocols
Routing (telecommunications)
Space technology
Spacecraft
Tasks
Unmanned aerial vehicles
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Summary:Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are considered by many as fundamental to realizing the global information grid (GIG) and the vision of network-centric warfare. Indeed, a fully realized MANET would be powerful in enabling highly mobile, highly responsive, and quickly deployable tactical forces. However, significant technical challenges remain before this realization is viable. Addressing these deficiencies is a significant task that will require the invention and adoption of new technology. The goal of this article is not to declare these capabilities impossible to achieve. Rather, it is to manage the expectation of the capabilities achievable in the foreseeable future through edification on the technical difficulties standing between current technology and the desired capabilities. This article provides an overview of the military MANET problem space, describing the ideal military MANET solution. Several deficiencies are highlighted that exist between MANET technologies and the desired capability. Identified technical issues include system-level architecture, routing (both interior and exterior), management, security, and medium access control (MAC), with an emphasis on the former two areas
ISSN:0163-6804
1558-1896
DOI:10.1109/COM-M.2006.248156