U.S. Army has integrated critical tactical network transport configurations.

The U.S. Army has integrated critical tactical network transport configurations -- the Tactical Communications Node-Lite, known as TCN-L, and Network Operations and Security Center-Lite, known as NOSC-L -- onto lighter High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle HMMWV platforms, versus the previous five-ton Family of Medium Tactical Vehicle FMTV integration.

U.S Army Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), move from under a CH-47 Chinook after successfully hanging up the Tactical Control Node-Light, at Fort Campbell, Ky., June 15, 2017. (Picture source U.S. MoD)

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) must be ready at all times to conduct rapid offensive and defensive stability operations, including Joint Forcible Entry missions, in support of global contingency operations. The unit requires expeditionary network capability that enables it to be agile, lethal and informed.

Now these network assets can be rolled onto an Air Force C-130 aircraft or sling loaded by an Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter across the battlefield, to deliver robust network connectivity and network operations capabilities even in the most austere locations.

Prior to these new "lite" capabilities, units arriving to their objectives by air would have to wait for their heavy FMTV configurations to be driven in on a ground assault convoy. Commanders now have the option to air assault them in and establish the network and mission command capabilities much earlier in the fight.

As part of the Army's evolving unified tactical network, the TCN-L provides agile robust high-bandwidth satellite and line-of-sight network connections. It operates on-the-move in a convoy, at the quick halt, and at the stationary command post, and it enables mission command and voice, video and data communications anywhere in the world, without need of static infrastructure. Soldiers use the NOSC-L at the command post to monitor and manage the tactical network and enhance network security.

U.S. Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) use this Tactical Communications Node-Lite, top photo, and the TCN-Heavy, bottom photo, during their combat training center rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, on March 20, 2018 (Picture source U.S. MoD)

The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) was the first unit to operate with new "lite" network configurations during a combat training center rotation at the JRTC at Fort Polk, Louisiana, in March.

In November 2017, the unit successfully conducted air assault operations with the TCN-L and NOSC-L during a field training exercise at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The unit had its initial exposure to the capabilities during the TCN-L and NOSC-L operational test in July 2017 at Fort Bliss, Texas, which was held during Network Integration Evaluation 17.2.

Soldier feedback from exercises like NIEs and JRTC rotations are providing valuable information to the Army, not only on potential system improvements, but on how those systems can be used most effectively in joint and coalition fights, at every stage of operations.

Previously, the TCN and NOSC were integrated on five-ton FMTVs, such as those employed by 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Iraq in 2017. The heavy vehicle configurations provided armored force protection but were not easily air transportable, limiting their use during expeditionary, quick reaction and air assault missions. Feedback from airborne and air assault units spurred the Army to integrate these configurations onto HMMWVs, providing significantly increased agility and operational flexibility.

During high intensity, fast moving operations, the TCN-L enabled the commander to position his forward his Tactical Command Post in almost any location. The TCN-L enables the small TAC element to leverage many of the same capabilities found back in the larger brigade main command post, known as the Tactical Operations Center. While the unit relocates the TOC, they can use the smaller forward TAC to continue to support the fight, until they can transition the network back to the TOC once it arrives at its new location.

With the TCN-L, "my staff and I [at the forward TAC] can literally leverage the products that the main TOC and the brigade intelligence cell are producing, which is huge. It allows me to see my force, but it also allows me to see where the enemy is. I gain a greater appreciation of the battlefield, and I can appropriately figure out how to gain a position of advantage over the enemy.