Systems of Systems

Multinational forces, U.S. government agencies and U.S. troops operating together in forward-deployed locations generally have problems communicating—and not just due to language differences. Technical incompatibility between communications systems can hinder information sharing and timely command and control decisions. DARPA’s Mobile Ad hoc Interoperability Network Gateway (MAINGATE) program is helping overcome this technology barrier. The program is nearing completion and plans to transfer the latest version of the system to Army warfighters still engaged in Afghanistan, but who are now focused more on Force Protection as U.S. forces draw down. The MAINGATE system is providing insights into tactical networking of the future, where systems will need more adaptability and capability.

The continued growth in unmanned, sensor, and networked devices is expected to drive the need for larger, more capable and more diverse communications systems. Among other enhancements, these systems must improve jam-resistance and low probability of detection to keep pace with adversaries’ growing electronic sophistication and must adapt to fast-changing operational environments. By contrast, today’s military communications architectures are static and inflexible.

Dr. Joseph B. Evans joined DARPA in June 2015 as a program manager in the Strategic Technology Office. His interests include advanced networking and communications technologies with an emphasis on large-scale wireless, dynamic and cross-domain systems.

Dr. Ted K. Woodwardjoined DARPA in January 2015 as program manager in the Strategic Technology Office. Dr. Woodward has a background in optical and radio frequency (RF) devices, systems and networks for diverse applications. His research interests generally concern the use of optical and RF technology for sensing and communications, and include high-capacity networked systems in particular. Relevant technologies include photonics, millimeter wave RF, distributed coherent signaling (e.g., multiple-input and multiple-output,MIMO), signal processing methods and host platforms, and networking.