Communications and Networks

As outlined in ONR’s Naval Science and Technology Strategic Plan, flexible communications and networks architectures that provide capabilities for achieving and maintaining our communications and networks in a highly dynamic, dispersed and disadvantaged environments (disruption intermittence and limited bandwidth) are integral to achieving information dominance.

The Communications and Networks program pursues S&T whose results lead to technologies that are essential for integrating warriors, sensors, command and control, platforms and weapons into a networked distributed combat force. The program is focused on solving some of the challenges unique to the naval environment that are not being addressed by the private sector. For example, many commercial wireless technologies are dependent on a fixed cellular/802.11 infrastructure. In many cases, the wireless infrastructure for naval forces, particularly at the tactical edge, is also mobile, which introduces a unique set of challenges.

Another example is the ability to support high-bandwidth communications with submarines that are operating at useful speeds and depths. The program is focused on developing technologies to address the challenges associated with crowded spectrum; limited-platform real estate for antennas; electronic attack and electromagnetic interference; electronic intercept; increased sensor resolution and shooter demands; geographically dispersed forces with intermittent connectivity; low-bandwidth, power-constrained tactical platforms; the highly dynamic mission priorities of tactical forces, etc. The primary objectives of the program include delivering: (1) dynamic, scalable tactical communication networks; (2) high-performance, low-cost communication solutions; and (3) satellite communications denial mitigation.