The Joint Tactical Networking Center (JTNC) opened for business yesterday as the Joint Program Executive Office Joint Tactical Radio System (JPEO JTRS) officially closed Sept. 30.
Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall July 11 approved the organizational restructure and realignment of mission responsibilities in a July 11 Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) (Defense Daily, July 16).
The JNTC is responsible for development and sustainment related to Software Defined Radio (SDR) waveforms and network management. JTNC will build on a legacy of SDR technology experience, to develop and/or modernize radio waveforms and test and certify industry partner tactical networking devices to ensure interoperability across the services. It also will improve warfighter ability to communicate and share information over secure radio communications.
SDR waveforms and the Software Communications Architecture (SCA) are key elements of future capabilities for all services and must be properly managed and adequately staffed with technical subject matter experts.
The JTNC will provide secure networking waveforms, capable of operating in a variety of hardware transport solutions, for both Program of Record and Non-Developmental Item radios in support of combatant commander, service, and coalition interoperable network mission requirements.
Under the ADM, the Army acquisition chief Heidi Shyu is the lead acquisition official for JTNC.
The JTNC will also manage the Defense Department Information Repository for these waveforms and rely on testing performed through established tests at Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) Systems Center (SSC) Pacific, SSC Charleston, the Army’s Communications-Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Center (CERDEC) and other agencies.
“The transition of JPEO JTRS into the JTNC is a natural part of the JTRS evolution and will remain focused on meeting Service, multi-Service/Joint and coalition advanced networking communications requirements,” said JTNC Director Mark Compton. “The technical expertise, standards, waveform repository and reference implementation laboratories that are aligned to the JTNC will enhance competition and ensure effective and secure communications across the battlespace well into the future.”
More information about JTNC is available at: www.jtnc.mil