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3.7 Reporting and Connectivity Functions
Reporting and connectivity functions, color coded yellow in the FRM diagram, provide the communications pathways and protocols required to integrate airborne reconnaissance systems with the "rest of the world." The four types of interfaces and multi-level guard functions are described in the following subsections.
3.7.1 Direct Reporting Functions
Standards for this functional area are:
The direct reporting interface provides the required pathway(s) to disseminate intelligence data directly to the warfighters or "shooters." The specific products/reports disseminated through this interface will generally be automatically generated. This pathway also allows the airborne reconnaissance system to receive direct reporting from other airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems (e.g., to facilitate cross-platform cueing).
Airborne reconnaissance systems will support the J-Series family of Tactical Data Links (TDLs), the Integrated Broadcast System, and the Joint Broadcast System (JBS) as described in the following paragraphs.
The J-Series family of TDLs allow information exchange using common data element structures and message formats which support time critical information. The family consists of Link 16, Link 22, and the Variable Message Format (VMF) and interoperability is achieved through use of J-Series Family messages and data elements. The Link 16 tactical data link is a secure, high capacity, jam resistant time division multiple access (TDMA) data link which is implemented with the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) and Multi-functional Information Distribution System (MIDS) transceiver suites. Applicable standards for the ARTA are cited in the following JTA Sections: 3.2.3.2.5, 3.3.3.2, 4.2.4.2.1, and 4.3.4.
IBS is a migration system selected by the DoD to merge several legacy UHF broadcast systems into a common implementation. IBS will be a single broadcast dissemination architecture based on a single receiver family (i.e., the Joint Tactical Terminal). The Military Communications Electronics Board (MCEB) directed that the Navy assume executive oversight, the Army take the lead for tactical terminal migration, and the Air Force take the lead for broadcast migration. By the objective year FY2000, IBS will route low data rate transmissions to non-GBS satellites, defer high data rate transmissions (e.g., imagery) to GBS, and provide additional capability for interactive two-way line-of-sight communications.
The Joint Broadcast Service (JBS) is the first phase of the Global Broadcast System (GBS) and was made operational primarily to support immediate operations in Bosnia. JBS is a commercial SATCOM service based on commercial television Direct Broadcast Service (DBS) technology. The JBS was implemented as an element of the Predator UAV communications architecture, specifically for the dissemination of EO and IR video sensor information (including audio annotation/narration). In this implementation, the processed/exploited video information is relayed from the UAV ground station via T-3 transoceanic cable to the JBS injection site located at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), from where it is transmitted to an Atlantic Ocean Region (AOR) to JBS receivers.
The message format standards for direct reporting are cited in the JTA:
Section 4.2.4.2.1 Bit Oriented Data
Section 4.2.4.2.2 U.S. Message Text Format (Character Oriented Data)
Section 4.3.4 Information Standards (emerging)
3.7.2 Operator Reporting Functions
Standards for this functional area are:
Operator reporting includes dissemination of formatted message traffic, imagery, imagery products, database transaction updates, and graphical situation display data. In general, these products are widely disseminated through the DoD communications infrastructure which includes the following:
The Internet protocol router networks - NIPRNET, SIPRNET, and JWICS - provide worldwide communications services for authorized users. General services include electronic mail, file transfer, and remote terminal functions. Additional services are provided by specific open systems software applications which typically offer client/server functions through the network for a large population of users. Access to the Internet protocol router networks from within airborne reconnaissance systems may be provided either directly (e.g., when a ground/surface system is located at a major operational base and can be connected to a local node) or through other tactical data networks and/or satellite communications links (e.g., when a ground/surface system is deployed and linked back to its home node).
Intelink may become the preferred service for disseminating airborne reconnaissance products. It uses COTS software to provide Internet-like (browser) services over JWICS and SIPRNET. Authorized users can use the service to access information on any server in the network. That is, external users can access information contained in airborne reconnaissance systems, and internal users can access information on external servers. Although Intelink is fairly easy to use already, more robust information discovery and retrieval tools will be available to Intelink users as the Internet information technology continues its explosive growth.
Many airborne reconnaissance products are disseminated as formatted AUTODIN messages in today's systems. This method of dissemination will continue to be used as appropriate for disseminating USMTF messages. The Defense Message Service (DMS) is another service which rides over the Internet protocol router networks and will replace AUTODIN.
The CIO's Image Product Library (IPL) will be another primary means for dissemination of airborne reconnaissance imagery and imagery-derived products. These libraries are part of the CIO's A3I program to provide an open architecture for the widest possible imagery access and dissemination. Using IPL client software, external users can access airborne reconnaissance products (stored in national, regional, and command level libraries) through the internet protocol router networks and tactical data circuits (e.g., ship-to-shore). Internal users can access products on other servers. IPL client software will be available on Joint Deployable Intelligence Support System (JDISS), Global Command and Control System (GCCS), and other workstations and integrated with Intelink client software for even wider use.
3.7.3 Command and Control Interface Functions
Standards for this functional area are:
The C2 interface functions provide the primary means for warfighter command and control over airborne reconnaissance systems. This pathway provides the various communications services for passing information such as command and control messages, mission tasking, intelligence database updates, etc. The networks, services, and technology standards are the same as those used for the operator oriented reporting functions described in the previous section. However, the information and specific data formats communicated are different.
Additional C2 interface functions for airborne reconnaissance are with collection management systems, mission planning systems, and mission control systems. Detail on these functions is given in Section 3.8, Planning and Control Functions.
3.7.4 Reach Back / Reach Forward Functions
Standards for this functional area are:
The reach back / reach forward functions provide the interfaces required for near-real-time integration with other intelligence community systems and to support split-base operations. Reach back generally refers to an operation where airborne reconnaissance sensor data is passed back to supporting site facilities for processing and/or exploitation/analysis. This is required in cases where the airborne asset does not have the capacity or capability to support analysis/exploitation of sensor data on-board. Reach forward generally refers to capabilities for data from supporting intelligence centers to be forwarded to the airborne reconnaissance system for relay, exploitation, cross-system cueing, data correlation, or other intelligence functions.
High data rate point-to-point communications circuits are used to support the reach back / reach forward functions. These functions can be implemented on commercial circuits (e.g., INMARSAT, Intelsat, PANAMSAT, etc.) or on military assets (e.g., Defense Secure Communications System (DSCS), Trojan Spirit). Data communications protocol standards are selected on a case-by-case basis tailored to the communications circuits available, airborne reconnaissance systems involved, and mission requirements. Minimum data link requirements for SIGINT are 192 kilobits per second return link and 64 kilobits per second command link. IMINT missions often require tens to hundreds of megabits per second on the return link, and the data rate for MASINT missions are still being worked but will not exceed IMINT requirements.
3.7.5 Multi-Level Guard Functions
The multi-level guard functions provide appropriate security protection/filters that securely implement and enforce the required airborne reconnaissance system security perimeter. These functions include firewalls, security guards, and link encryption as appropriate. Standards in this area will be addressed in a future version of the ARTA.
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