ARL-TN-0728 ● DEC 2015

US Army Research Laboratory

Aircraft Enroute Command and Control 

Comms Redesign Mechanical Documentation

by Steven P Callaway

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NOTICES

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Destroy this report when it is no longer needed. Do not return it to the originator.
ARL-TN-0728 ● DEC 2015

US Army Research Laboratory

Aircraft Enroute Command and Control 

Comms Redesign Mechanical Documentation

by Steven P Callaway

Computational and Information Sciences Directorate, ARL

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.
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REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form Approved

OMB No. 0704-0188

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PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS.

1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY)

December 2015

2. REPORT TYPE

Technical Note

3. DATES COVERED (From - To)

04/2015

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Aircraft Enroute Command and Control Comms Redesign Mechanical 

Documentation

5a. CONTRACT NUMBER

5b. GRANT NUMBER

5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER

6. AUTHOR(S)

Steven P Callaway

5d. PROJECT NUMBER

R.0013587.1

5e. TASK NUMBER

5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

US Army Research Laboratory

ATTN: RDRL-CII-B

2800 Powder Mill Road

Adelphi, MD 20783-1138

8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER

ARL-TN-0728

9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

SOCOM

10. SPONSOR/MONITOR'S ACRONYM(S)

11. SPONSOR/MONITOR'S REPORT NUMBER(S)

12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

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13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

14. ABSTRACT

The Next Generation Joint Command and Control System pallet systems serves as an enroute command center, stowed in the 

rear of a C-17 or C-130 aircraft. They original system, designed by the US Army Research Laboratory had been used 

extensively and required updating. Based on customer specified requirements the uninterrupted power supply, frequency 

converter, DC power supply, and monitor mount were updated. 

15. SUBJECT TERMS

JC2S, NG-JC2S, en route, comms, command, 463L, aircraft, pallet, C-17, C-130

16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF:

17. LIMITATION

 OF

 ABSTRACT

UU

18. NUMBER

 OF 

 PAGES

62

19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON

Steven P Callaway

a. REPORT

Unclassified

b. ABSTRACT

Unclassified

c. THIS PAGE

Unclassified

19b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include area code)

(301) 394-1152

Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8/98)

Prescribed by ANSI Std. Z39.18
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Contents

List of Tables iv

1. Introduction 1

2. Mechanical Requirements 1

3. Drawing Package 2

4. Conclusion 3

Appendix. NG-JC2S Comms System Drawings 5

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List of Tables

Table 1 NG-JC2S COMMS System drawing package .......................................2
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1. Introduction

Joint Command and Control System (JC2S) pallets serve as a mobile command 

system for commanders. A single system is comprised of 3 463L aircraft pallets, 

loaded into the rear cargo area of a C-17 and C-130 aircraft. Two of the pallets, 

deemed planner’s pallets, feature 6 opposing desk stations on each pallet, for a total 

of 12 user stations in each system. Each desk station includes network, 

communications (comms), and power interfaces for each user to be able to conduct 

battle command while en route. 

The third pallet, the comms pallet, is where all of the necessary comms and power 

equipment is secured. Custom racks, with 8 server rack bays, are mounted to the 

pallet, with 2 desk stations for equipment operators, responsible for keeping the 

comms equipment running as necessary during the mission. 

The initial system, designed and fabricated at the US Army Research Laboratory 

(ARL), has served thousands of hours on hundreds of missions. After a long period 

of service, the customer wanted to update to newer equipment and eliminate 

unnecessary features, evident after the extensive field experience.

2. Mechanical Requirements

Three main mechanical subsystems were redesigned in the Next Generation JC2S 

(NG-JC2S) COMMS System: the uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and frequency 

converter, the DC power supplies, and the flat panel displays. 

The UPS and frequency converter act as a battery backup and power conditioning 

for the network equipment. The frequency converter converts 115/200 V AC,

400-Hz, 3-phase aircraft power to 120 V AC, 60-Hz, single-phase power so that it 

can be used by conventional rack equipment. Equipment in the original system was 

larger and heavier than the new equipment selected for the NG-JC2S. Battery 

backup was required by the customer for specific network equipment in the event 

of a power interruption. The UPS and frequency converter were required to be 

mounted so that they could be easily removed by the user in the case of equipment 

failure. 

The DC power supply sub system supplies 24 V DC power to the necessary 

equipment. The wiring for these power supplies needed to be shielded to protect 

the user, but also easily accessible for maintenance purposes. The equipment also 

needed to be easily removable in the event of equipment failure. Surplus rack space 

available in the NG-JC2S system allowed for a new power supply mounting 
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approach, making the equipment more easily serviceable and lowering the center 

of gravity of the system.

The flat panel displays, positioned off of the end of the comms pallet facing the 

Planner’s pallets, were upgraded in the NG-JC2S COMMS System from four 

23 inch flat panel displays to two 26 inch flat panel displays and one 32 inch flat 

panel display. The displays needed to be mounted with an overall height no greater 

than 108 inches and inside the outer envelope of the pallet.

3. Drawing Package

The following drawing package (Table 1) was used for the fabrication of parts for 

the NG-JC2S COMMS System. The package was also consulted by ARL 

technicians for system assembly. The individual drawings are provided in the 

Appendix.

Table 1 NG-JC2S COMMS System drawing package

SK549241 Falcon UPS Frequency Converter Bottom Mount

Dash No. Drawing Title

–11001 UPS Bottom Mount, Tray

–11002 UPS Bottom Mount, Rail Guide

–11003 UPS Bottom Mount, Crossmember

–11004 UPS Bottom Mount, Rear Block 2.1

–11005 UPS Bottom Mount, Rear Block 2.2

–11006 UPS Bottom Mount, Retainer Shim

–11007 Battery Hawker Bracket, Right

–11008 Battery Hawker Bracket, Left

–11009 Battery Hawker Bracket, Rear

SK549243 DC P/S Mount

Dash No. Drawing Title

–1001 D/C PS Mount - Tray

–11002 D/C PS Mount - Crossmember

–11003 D/C PS Mount - Power Supply Plate

–11004 D/C PS Mount - Power Supply Plate Retainer

–11005 D/C PS Mount - Top Brace

–11006 D/C PS Mount - Finger Guard
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Table 1 NG-JC2S COMMS System drawing package (continued)

SK549265 Installation, Flat Panel Display

Dash No. Drawing Title

–11001 Monitor Mount - Rack U Channel Crossmember

–11002 Monitor Mount - Strut, Tab End

–11003 Monitor Mount - Strut, Clevis End

–11004 Monitor Mount - Strut, Eye Bolt

–12001 26 Inch Monitor Mount - Crossmember, Screen Display Mounting

–12002 26 Inch Monitor Mount - Frame, Left

–12003 26 Inch Monitor Mount - Frame, Right

–12004 26 Inch Monitor Mount - Lower Crossmember

–12005 26 Inch Monitor Mount - Bracket, Crossmember Pin

–12006 26 Inch Monitor Mount - Lower Vertical Support

–12007 26 Inch Monitor Mount - Strut, Tube

–13001 32 Inch Monitor Mount - Crossmember, Screen Display Mounting

–13002 32 Inch Monitor Mount - Frame, Left

–13003 32 Inch Monitor Mount - Frame, Right

–13004 32 Inch Monitor Mount - Lower Crossmember

–13005 32 Inch Monitor Mount - Bracket, Crossmember Pin

–13006 32 Inch Monitor Mount - Lower Vertical Support

–13007 32 Inch Monitor Mount - Strut, Tube

–13008 32 Inch Monitor Mount - Strut Block

–13009 32 Inch Monitor Mount - Lower Crossmember Spacer

–13010 32 Inch Monitor Mount - Top Crossmember Spacer

4. Conclusion

After extensive use, the JC2S pallet required updating. The NG-JC2S system was 

developed at ARL based on new requirements and specifications from the 

customer. Capabilities and equipment were either updated or eliminated based on 

the customers experience with the system. The UPS, frequency converter, DC 

power supply mount, and monitor mount were redesigned and updated. Initial 

system deployment is ongoing. 
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Appendix. NG-JC2S Comms System Drawings
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1 DEFENSE TECHNICAL

(PDF) INFORMATION CTR

DTIC OCA

2 DIRECTOR

(PDF) US ARMY RESEARCH LAB

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IMAL HRA MAIL & RECORDS

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