Page 33 - ADT APRIL - MAY 2021 Online Magazine

Seeing in [ COLUMN ]

the Dark

HOW TO KEEP THE SPOTLIGHT ON DEFENCE environment and a minimized detectable
electronic signature is pivotal. Planned dis-
ASSETS DURING DISCONNECTED OPERATIONS connected operations are normal day-to-day
business for a navy frigate sailing in the South
Driven by cyber-attacks, an increasing need for connectivity in Pacific—using a disconnected, intermittent,
remote locations and a dispersed threat of attack, the demand and limited bandwidth mode for much of its
for a more distributed operational model is rising and so is the detachment.
importance of connectivity between command centers and forward
operating bases. The key requirement in periods of planned or
unplanned connectivity disruption is the ability
Recent and new technology developments are enabling a progres- to aggregate, update and re-sync data back
sively connected military force to develop an increasingly resilient to a MOB as soon as connectivity is re-estab-
digital backbone to maintain Total Asset Readiness, almost 24×7 lished, mitigating the impact of any outage.
visibility into the status of their personnel and equipment.

But disruptions to this connectivity can cause issues during crucial
moments of service, such as the immediate need to release an
aircraft or a ship to engage a potential threat. An accurate picture
of readily available equipment is paramount for the success of any
mission and for the protection of military personnel. These ‘dark’
periods are now a key focus area for defence forces.

Planned or Unplanned Outages Exacerbated
by New Operating Models
A recent study from RAND Corporation, an American non-profit
global policy think tank, focused on emerging ‘distributed oper-
ations’ concepts that require a larger number of airbases to
complicate enemy targeting. Due to air and missile threats posed
to larger main bases, the recommendation is for the U.S. Air Force
to conduct missions from smaller forward operating bases (FOBs),
but consistent connectivity between a main operating center or
base (MOB) and these distributed FOBs is essential.
Andrew Floyd
Some planned clandestine military operations will be conducted Industry Director for Defence in
in ‘dark mode’ where due to their sensitive nature, a disconnected Service Support for IFS

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