Simple Sovereign Secure

Mutualink Operational Exercise Enables Real-Time Collaboration Among Parties on Land, Sea, and Air

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DefenseMUTUALINK

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Case Study

Testing and Integration

During a five-day integration exercise culminating in a two-day real-world scenario at a tactical level, the Commando unit integrated five different radio models through Mutualink’s secure Radio Network Interface Controller (RNIC) over a number of bands and frequencies. The testing was performed in a methodical fashion that ensured interoperability was achieved irrespective of the combination of integrated radios.

Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) telephony lines and cellular phones were easily integrated through Mutualink’s secure Telephone Network Interface Controller (TNIC). Furthermore, the Mutualink Interoperability Work Station (IWS) successfully bridged incoming and outgoing telephone calls (landline and cellular) with all five radio models connected to the RNIC.

Mutualink successfully integrated five tactical video surveillance systems (wired and wireless) through a secure Mutualink Video Network Interface Controller (VNIC). All tested video signals

were shared across the network with remotely located users in the United States, Europe, and the exercise play area. The incoming video signals included ROVER 5i, Skylark Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and two proprietary ground-based tactical surveillance systems. Network backhaul was provided by a Tactical BGAN operating over 128 and 256 kbps. The Commando unit methodically tested bandwidth.

First, all radio units were bridged and given a communications check with all participating nodes. Second, with the radios still bridged and transmitting, the user introduced text messaging. Third, a JPEG file was successfully shared with all elements while simultaneously using radios and text messaging. Fourth, the ROVER5i video was integrated and successfully shared across the network to all participants. Finally, video from a proprietary ground surveillance camera was incorporated and shared. All capabilities tested prior to sharing video remained fully functional throughout the bandwidth testing regimen. After the effective testing of voice, text, data files, video and telephony functions, Mutualink equipment was configured and prepared for the two-day real-world scenario.

In November 2014, Mutualink participated in an on-site, operational test and evaluation with a NATO Commando unit. Mutualink integrated real-world resources provided by the Commando unit to a number of Mutualink interoperability kits and capabilities. This report highlights the testing and integration, operational capabilities, and assessment of Mutualink’s performance during this intense endeavor.

Mission Overview ______________________________________________

WHO: NATO Special Operation Forces - Commando Unit

WHERE: NATO Theater of Operations

CHALLENGE: Interoperable communications and resource sharing among multiple defense agencies in various locations

SOLUTION: Interoperable communications and resource sharing among multiple defense agencies in various locations

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Operational Capabilities

The operational test included the Joint Operations Center (JOC) staff, Assault Force, Sniper Team, Joint Terminal Air Controller

Teams (JTAC), mounted and dismounted, fighter aircraft, and sea-based vehicles and personnel. Ground participants were located within a 5 KM battlespace, while airborne and sea-based assets joined from outside the battlespace.

Commando Commander (CDR) was not present in the JOC during the operation. The CDR monitored mission progress using a Mutualink EDGE™ client on an Android device, issuing commands to the assault force via the text messaging function of the Mutualink system while the force moved into position (Photo 1). The Snipers reported updates on the target via text messaging to the entire assault force which enabled them to maintain radio silence.

Radio silence was vital due to the proximity of friendly forces to the target and adversary units.

The JTAC Team (Mounted) called the fighter aircraft into the target area and shared the ROVER5i feed from the fighter aircraft to all clients connected to

Mutualink. This enabled the CDR to have “eyes on” situational awareness of the target despite being located away from JOC. The Sniper Team viewed the ROVER5i feed from their EDGE™ device (Photo 2) allowing them to see exactly what ROVER5i was seeing.

Time Sensitive Target (TST) data was sent to the JOC from a sea-based vehicle, bridged into the Mutualink network and distributed to all mission elements. The data was sent to mission elements at the lowest level, increasing the situational awareness and combat effectiveness of individual personnel. Specifically, the ability to share TST data within the Mutualink system shortened the military decision-making process (MDMP) for the CDR and his staff.

The Assault Force remained on standby in vehicles at the base staging area waiting for the trigger to execute the mission. The Mutualink Ops Fusion Kit (OFK) provided the Assault Force with voice and text communications among the JTAC Teams, Sniper Teams, and Attack Aircraft. The Assault Force was able to view the video from the Attack Aircraft, Sniper Team, and JTAC teams simultaneously on a single monitor.

The Sniper element Positively Identified (PID) enemy combatants in the target area and sent video to the CDR. The CDR viewed the video from the Sniper position on the Mutualink EDGE™ enabled device and confirmed the enemy combatant call prior to issuing the order to strike. The CDR texted the Sniper Team to pull back from their position, communicating the new course of action (COA) via text to stand down the Assault Force and strike the target with an Attack Aircraft.

CDR issued the intent, using the Push-To-Talk (PTT) function of the Mutualink EDGE™ enabled device and the JTAC, using a tactical military radio (VHF PR4G), executed a strike on the target. The CDR listened to the JTAC implement the strike and monitored the ROVER5i downlink from the aircraft. The CDR was able to conduct immediate battle damage assessment viewing the post-strike ROVER5i feed from the Fighter Aircraft.

US Patent #7,643,445, #8,364,153, #8,320,874, # 8,811,940

Case Study

Photo 1: Grid and text info on EDGE™ (Android) from JTAC and radio (VHF PR4G) integrated with Android

Photo 3: Mutualink Mobile Facility Kit in JOCPhoto 2: ROVER5i video on EDGE™ (Android) shared with Commander

Mutualink, Inc. reserves the right to make product changes at any time without notice. The information contained in this document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute any form of binding representation or warranty as to specification, performance, suitability or any other matter. While the this document is believed to be accurate, Mutualink shall not be liable to any party for any errors or omissions, and assumes no obligation to correct any errors or omissions. References to users or customer entities does constitute an endorsement of this product, and all rights to names and trademarks of third parties are reserved to their respective owners. Mutualink products are subject to export control restrictions for encryption based articles under EAR regulations of the United States Commerce Department, and may not be exported or re-exported to certain designated countries.

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Case Study

The CDR assessed good effects on target and placed a NET call for participants to return to base (RTB). The JOC monitored the movements of troops from the target to the friendly base via aircraft ROVER5i feed. Route up dates were sent to the JOC via a Mutualink text.

Mission Assessment

An unscripted problem appeared when the individual LOS radio used by the JTAC began to malfunction and communication was lost with the JOC or the fighter aircraft. The JTAC returned to their vehicle and successfully used the Mutualink kit to re-establish positive communications via the Voice-over-IP (VoIP) function (i.e. Mutualink kit to Mutualink kit) with the JOC. Positive communications were reestablished with the fighter aircraft via the Mutualink kit (Photo 4) until the radio operator could resolve the radio issue.

Mutualink experienced outstanding results on all aspects of the deployed system. The Commando unit was well pleased with Mutualink’s form factors, ease of use, robustness, security, as well as with the exceptional interoperable communications and multimedia resource sharing. The Commando unit was also impressed with the remarkable support provided by Mutualink’s highly experienced and professional field engineers and subject matter experts.

Commando Commander (CDR) – Mutualink EDGE™ (Android Phone – see Photos 1 and 2)JOC – Mutualink Mobile Facility Kit (see Photo 3)JTAC Team (mounted) – Mutualink Mobile Facility Kit (see Photo 4)

Assault Force – Mutualink Mobile Ops Fusion Kit Version 2.0 (OFK 2.0)JTAC Team (dismounted) – Mutualink EDGE™ DeviceSniper Team – Mutualink EDGE™ DeviceFighter Aircraft – Contributed Targeting Pod Video to Mutualink VNIC

Equipment References _____________________________________________

Photo 4: Mutualink Mobile Facility Kit with JTAC (Mounted in Vehicle)