To inform industry of Army tactical network modernization needs and priorities, the Army’s newly formed Network Cross Functional Team (CFT) will hold a tactical-network related information forum  in February at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.

Hosted in cooperation with Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical (PEO-C3T), the two-day event will run Feb. 6-7 and serve as a “kickoff” meeting for the CFT, which is tasked with developing a modernization strategy for the Army’s battlefield network.

Soldiers with I Corps, receive hands-on radio communication training during a field exercise at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Jan. 21. This training was provided to give the Soldiers the opportunity to learn how to work and be proficient with the different types of radio communication systems. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sinthia Rosario, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Soldiers with I Corps, receive hands-on radio communication training during a field exercise at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Jan. 21. This training was provided to give the Soldiers the opportunity to learn how to work and be proficient with the different types of radio communication systems. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sinthia Rosario, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

The network CFT is one of six such teams the Army has created to tackle its most pressing modernization challenges. The other CFTs are focusing on Future Vertical Lift (FVL), Next-Generation Combat Vehicles (NGCV), assured Precision Navigation and Timing (PNT), Long-Range Precision Fires (LRPF), air and missiles defense, soldier lethality and synthetic training environments.

The Network CFT event is designed to help industry identify and align their efforts with Army tactical network modernization priorities, particularly enabling units to operate resilient networks in contested and congested environments, according to PEO-C3T. The Army hopes to draw an audience of systems engineers, architecture experts and integrators.

The intent of the sessions will be to enhance communication between the Army and industry and enable industry to respond more quickly to emerging requirements with innovative technology solutions and partnerships. The Army will provide a technical overview of the current network architecture and address industry feedback. It also is seeking industry input on potential development and procurement opportunities.

“There is currently great interest and discussion within industry, Government, and other stakeholders, of the Army’s current tactical network and modernization challenges. The forum, which is designed to encourage conversation between Army materiel developers and industry, will provide insight into how the Army intends to implement network modernization priorities,” said Maj. Gen. Peter Gallagher, director, of the network CFT.

The first day will be spent outlining, in detail, the current network architecture and technical challenge areas, emerging and future tactical wireless telecommunications technologies, and the current state of mission command applications and infrastructure for command posts and mounted platforms, to include ongoing software baseline reduction efforts.

The second day will highlight CFT focus areas relevant to the current and future tactical network and identified challenge areas. Specific focus will include air-ground integration; creation of an automated primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency communications plan; and a classified tactical radio electromagnetic signature session.

Representatives from Army program offices, CFTs, research and development centers and capabilities management/requirements offices will take part in the forum.

More information and registration is available on the Federal Business Opportunities website, https://www.fbo.gov/notices/db486204703b9efd64a3474df67449dc.