The Joint Program Executive Office for the Joint Tactical Radio System (JPEO JTRS) Network Enterprise Domain (NED) yesterday said earlier this summer it successfully completed the SRW1.1 Waveform Development Environment (WDE) Design Verification Test (DVT).
This is an important milestone because it introduces the telemetry operations domain and mode to the current version of Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) 1.01.1 as well as adding significant improvements to the performance and functionality of the core waveform.
The SRW1.1 improvement responds to the Army’s need for a simultaneous control and video feed from small unmanned ground vehicles (SUGV). The SRW1.1 was modified to support the bandwidth requirements needed to display video. These enhancements allow the SRW to control the vehicle and download imagery from the SUGV. This is significant because it is being done with software and not affecting the hardware, JEPO JTRS NED said in a statement.
“Delivery of the SRW Telemetry Operations waveform enhancement demonstrates our ability to rapidly and affordably add capability to JTRS networking capabilities through software-only upgrades,” stated Navy Capt. Jeff Hoyle, the JTRS NED Program Manager.
This waveform will be incorporated into the Small Form Fit-D (SFF-D) Radio by the JTRS Handheld, Manpack, and Small Form Fit (HMS) Program Office for eventual fielding on the Army’s SUGV platform.
The verification tests validated all telemetry operations functions and performance, and confirmed reverse interoperability, between the SRW 1.1 and SRW 1.01.1 waveform variants. It also provided an opportunity to address discrepancies found in the existing SRW 1.01.1 functionality and performance.
“The ability to rapidly improve, upgrade, and deploy secure, interoperable waveforms, coupled with a JTRS Enterprise Business Model that maximizes waveform software reuse, affordability, and competition among defense communication providers, enable us to continuously improve fielded JTRS networks throughout their lifecycle in response to joint warfighter needs and priorities,” Hoyle said.