Military officials say the tactical network is the centerpiece of brigade modernization. Network Integration Evaluations, or NIEs, are a series of semi-annual evaluations designed to integrate and mature the Army’s tactical network. NIE 12.1 involves industry participation based on TRADOC-identified gaps. NIE 12.1 is currently being conducted at Fort Bliss, Texas and White Sands Missile Range, N.M. More than 3,800 soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, are operating both systems under evaluation and systems under test and employing them in various realistic combat scenarios in operationally relevant terrain designed to replicate the environment in Afghanistan.