HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- A U.S. Air Force aerial networking capability recently flew at Emerald Flag 25-1 this month.
The capability, known as Common Tactical Edge Network, or CTEN, is a vendor-built, open architecture, government-owned overlay network replacing the existing prototype to enable distributed battle management command and control in highly contested environments.
Emerald Flag, a 96th Test Wing multi-domain large force test, offers an avenue for new complex weapons systems to be tested and advanced. For Emerald Flag, a new payload was developed to rehost virtual routers and integrate CTEN software onto a single-board computer within a single-level environment, demonstrating the systems adaptability.
The capability aims to provide tactical edge communications to enable dynamic distributed battle management command and control in contested and highly contested environments in support of Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control, or CJADC2.
“This demonstrates the architecture’s rapid adaptability to different mission sets and is a significant step towards achieving our near-term goals for aerial networking,” said Stephan Isco, C3BM’s Aerial Networking Branch lead engineer.
CJADC2 is the Department of Defense’s approach to developing both material and non-material solutions to deliver information and decision advantage to commanders.
CTEN and other capabilities are combined to create the DAF BATTLE NETWORK, the Air Force’s contribution to the CJADC2 initiative.
The DAF BATTLE NETWORK is an integrated system of systems that connects sensors, effectors and logistics systems to provide enhanced situational awareness, faster decision-making, and decisive action for the force.