This capability supports the command's engagement goals and fosters a strong spirit of cooperation, she says. The general believes the APAN has successfully supported open communications. It's an unclassified coalition information sharing system, and as communicators, our best means of 'engagement' is via a network that is open to all theater partners. The command also is involved in programs that are designed to improve networking between U.S. organizations. The military services partnered on this project to ensure interoperability, and the command is now working with state and municipal organizations so that it will eventually be able to interface with these agencies.
Connectivity also is an issue for command and control communications.
The goal is to get the right information to the right place and the right person in the right format, including tools for collaboration and visualization. One area in which we're going to do some digging is the interface of tactical systems into our strategic systems. We've recently exercised this capability and found it to be very difficult. There's just so much power that can be pushed through the smaller satellite dishes, for example, and increasing the size of the antenna to increase the power output has an operational impact on footprint and lift requirements. The program's objective is to provide better visualization, decision support, collaboration and knowledge management tools to the warfighter.