Joint Tactical Radio System


The Joint Tactical Radio System aimed to replace existing radios in the American military with a single set of software-defined radios that could have new frequencies and modes added via upload, instead of requiring multiple radio types in ground vehicles, and using circuit board swaps in order to upgrade. JTRS has seen cost overruns and full program restructurings, along with cancellation of some parts of the program.
JTRS HMS radios are jointly developed and manufactured by Thales and General Dynamics Mission Systems. These software-defined radios are designed as successors to the JTRS-compatible CSCHR, securely transmitting voice and data simultaneously using Type 2 cryptography and the new Soldier Radio Waveform.
The Army announced in June 2015 a Request for Proposal for full-rate production of the HMS program. Goal was set for assessment in 2015-2016 and for full rate production in 2017.
JTRS is widely seen as one of the DoD's greatest acquisition failures, having spent $6B over 15 years without delivering a radio.

Overview

Launched with a Mission Needs Statement on August 21, 1997 and a subsequent Operational Requirements Document on March 23, 1998, the original name was simply Joint Tactical Radio. This effort was led by the Joint Staff and was represented by all four Services. Each team member reported to their Service's chief information officer and reported back to the Joint Staff J6. The ORD started with 38 Threshold waveforms/radios and 4 Objective waveforms to support operations in three domain: Airborne, Maritime, and Ground Forces. Originally the JTR ORD do not address a software defined construct. The working group looked at the Navy's SPEAKeasy program as well as the USSOCOM sponsored Thales MultiBand Inter/Intra Team Radios. The JTR became Joint Tactical Radio System when the Navy took over as the acquisition executive agent. JTRS became a family of software-defined radios that were to work with many existing military and civilian radios. It included integrated encryption and Wideband Networking Software to create mobile ad hoc networks.
The JTRS program was beset by delays and cost overruns, particularly Ground Mobile Radios, run by Boeing. Problems included a decentralized management structure, changing requirements, and unexpected technical difficulties that increased size and weight goals that made it harder to add the required waveforms.
The JTRS was built on the Software Communications Architecture, an open-architecture framework that tells designers how hardware and software are to operate in harmony. It governs the structure and operation of the JTRS, enabling programmable radios to load waveforms, run applications, and be networked into an integrated system. A Core Framework, providing a standard operating environment, must be implemented on every hardware set. Interoperability among radio sets was increased because the same waveform software can be easily ported to all radios.
The Object Management Group, a not-for-profit consortium that produces and maintains computer industry specifications for interoperable enterprise applications, is working toward building an international commercial standard based on the SCA.

JTRS Program of Record

The Joint Tactical Radio System as a Program of Record evolved from a loosely associated group of radio replacement programs to an integrated effort to network multiple weapon system platforms and forward combat units where it matters most – at the last tactical mile. In 2005, JTRS was restructured under the leadership of a Joint Program Executive Officer headquartered in San Diego, California. The JPEO JTRS provides an enterprise acquisition and management approach to successfully and efficiently develop, produce, integrate, test and field the JTRS networking capability.
The JTRS Enterprise was composed of five ACAT 1D programs of record - Network Enterprise Domain, Ground Mobile Radios, Handheld, Manpack, & Small Form Fit, Multifunctional Information Distribution System JTRS, and Airborne, Maritime Fixed/Station and one ACAT III program - Handheld JTRS Enhanced Multi-Band Intra-Team Radio.

JTRS Network Enterprise Domain (NED)

JTRS NED was responsible for the development, sustainment, and enhancement of interoperable networking and legacy software waveforms. NED's product line consists of:
JTRS GMR are a key enabler of the DoD and Army Transformation and will provide critical communications capabilities across the full spectrum of Joint operations. Through software reconfiguration, JTRS GMR can emulate current force radios and operate new Internet Protocol -based networking waveforms offering increased data throughput utilizing self-forming, self-healing, and managed communication networks. The GMR route and retransmit functionality links various waveforms in different frequency bands to form one internetwork. GMR can scale from one to four channels supporting multiple security levels and effectively use the frequency spectrum within the 2 megahertz to 2 gigahertz frequency range. The radios are Software Communications Architecture compliant with increased bandwidth through future waveforms and are interoperable with 4+ current force radio systems and the JTRS family of radios.
Now that the GMR contract has been completed, the Army plans to leverage knowledge gained from the GMR Program in the upcoming Mid-Tier Networking Vehicular Radio solicitation.

JTRS Handheld, Manpack & Small Form Fit (HMS)

JTRS HMS is a materiel solution meeting the requirements of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration/DoD Chief Information Officer for a Software Communications Architecture compliant hardware system hosting SCA-compliant software waveforms.
The JTRS HMS contract was structured to address Increment 1, consisting of Phases 1 and 2. Increment 1, Phase 1 was to develop the AN/PRC-154 Rifleman Radio sets and embedded SFF-A, SFF-A and SFF-D versions. The AN/PRC-154 Rifleman Radio sets and SFFs were to utilize the Soldier Radio Waveform in a sensitive but unclassified environment. In order to mitigate program waveform porting and integration challenges, the SRW application, which is managed by the JTRS Network Enterprise Domain, was developed on a Waveform Development Environment with HMS as the lead platform for porting.
Increment 1, Phase 2 was to develop the two channel manpack, two channel handheld, and embedded SFF-B, versions that are all Type 1 compliant for use in a classified environment. Waveforms on the phased sets include Ultra High Frequency Satellite Communications, Soldier Radio Waveform, High Frequency, Enhanced Position Location and Reporting System, Mobile-User Objective System, and Single Channel Ground to Air Radio System.

Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) JTRS

MIDS is a secure, scalable, modular, wireless, and jam-resistant digital information system currently providing Tactical Air Navigation, Link-16, and J-Voice to airborne, ground, and maritime joint and coalition warfighting platforms. MIDS provides real-time and low-cost information and situational awareness via digital and voice, communications within the Joint Tactical Radio System Enterprise. The MIDS Program includes MIDS-LVT and the MIDS JTRS Terminal. MIDS-LVT is in full rate production and MIDS JTRS is in evolutionary development and limited production. MIDS JTRS is a “form fit function” replacement for MIDS–LVT and adds three additional channels for JTRS waveforms as required by joint and coalition warfighter.

JTRS Airborne & Maritime/Fixed Station (AMF)

AMF will provide a four-channel, full duplex, software-defined radio integrated into airborne, shipboard, and fixed-station platforms, enabling maritime and airborne forces to communicate seamlessly and with greater efficiency through implementation of five initial waveforms providing data, voice, and networking capabilities. JTRS AMF is software-reprogrammable, multi-band/multi-mode capable, mobile ad hoc network capable, and provides simultaneous voice, data, and video communications. The system is flexible enough to provide point-to-point and netted voice and data, whether it is between Service Command Centers, Shipboard Command Centers, Joint Operations Centers or other functional centers. AMF will assist U.S. Armed Forces in the conduct of prompt, sustained, and synchronized operations, allowing warfighters the freedom to achieve information dominance in all domains; land, sea, air, space, and information.

JTRS Product Delivery

JTRS Network Enterprise Domain (NED)

  • Legacy waveform upgrades planned
  • Networking waveforms/management completed FQT, in JTRS IR ; Interim versions in JTRS IR
  • Legacy waveforms completed FQT, in JTRS IR

    JTRS Ground Mobile Radios (GMR)

  • GMR LUT
  • System Integration Testing
  • 91 sets for GMR DT/OT - 91 delivered
  • PEO-I purchasing 153 EDMs through Boeing Prime/ Boeing GMR agreement for SDD, Test, and fielding to IBCT #1 – 30 Delivered for Test
  • 121 GMR Pre-EDMs and 73 open chassis radios delivered for GMR/WF development & test; 71 pre-EDMs for E-IBCT SO1
The GMR contract was completed 31 March 2012.