Military Communication Systems

To function effectively, military command and control depends on a complex communication network of equipment, personnel, and communication protocols to relay information among forces. RAND has conducted comprehensive evaluations and research on how to integrate coalition force interactions effectively into a cohesive, flexible, and secure communication network, thereby ensuring a cooperative projection of force.

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    Report

    In Athena’s Camp: Preparing for Conflict in the Information Age

    The information revolution is transforming the nature of conflict across the spectrum: from open warfare, to terrorism, crime, and even radical social activism.

    Jan 1, 1997

  • Journal Article

    Journal Article

    The Threat of High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse to Force XXI

    The author gives a layman's overview of an important policy issue for U.S. national security.

    Jan 1, 1997

  • Report

    Report

    Strategic Information Warfare: A New Face of War

    Future U.S. national security strategy is likely to be profoundly affected by the ongoing, rapid evolution of cyberspace -- the global information infrastructure.

    Jan 1, 1996

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    Report

    Tactical Satellite Orbital Simulation and Requirements Study

    Documents the results of a preliminary analysis of space communications requirements employing scenarios for military operations in three widely separated geographical areas where U.S. contingency operations could occur.

    Jan 1, 1993

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    Report

    Cooperative Intelligence for Remotely Piloted Vehicle Fleet Control: Analysis and Simulation

    Groups of agents (human or machine) can solve shared tasks effectively by applying cooperative intelligence.

    Jan 1, 1986

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    Report

    Computers and National Security.

    Discussion of the impact of computers since World War II on military decisions and national defense. Computers have pervasive roles in military operations and management--on-board devices, communications, command and control, intelligence, logistic ...

    Jan 1, 1972

  • Report

    Report

    A Briefing on the Distributed Adaptive Message-Block Network

    A description of the use in military communications of a distributed network in which each station is connected only to those nearest to it.

    Jan 1, 1965

  • Visualization of information tracking

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    Cost Estimate

    The tenth in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume provides a cost estimate for the proposed system, based on an arbitrary network configuration of 400 switching nodes, servicing 100,000 simultaneous users via 200 multiplexing stations. Assuming a usable life of ten years, all costs are estimated at about $60,000,000 per year.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Circuit board technology concept

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    History, Alternative Approaches, and Comparisons

    The fifth in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume acknowledges the efforts of people in many fields working toward the development of large communications systems where system reliability and survivability are mandatory.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Network illustration

    Report

    Introduction to Distributed Communications Networks

    The first in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume introduces the system concept and outlines the requirements for and design considerations of the distributed digital data communications network. It considers especially the use of redundancy as a means of withstanding heavy enemy attacks.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Abstract network data visualization

    Report

    Tentative Engineering Specifications and Preliminary Design for a High-Data-Rate Distributed Network Switching Node

    The seventh in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume considers the specifications of the proposed system's switching node. Timing calculations, together with a projected implementation scheme, provide a strong foundation for the belief that the construction and use of the node is practical.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Digital network communication concept

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    The Multiplexing Station

    The eighth in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume describes the multiplexing stations which connect subscribers to the switching nodes. The network will simultaneously process traffic from up to 1024 separate users sending a mixture of start-stop teletypewriter, digital voice, and other synchronous signals at various rates.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • An abstract digital world map focused on Europe with communication lines

    Report

    Priority, Precedence, and Overload

    The fourth in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume discusses the creation of dynamic or flexible priority and precedence structures within a communication system handling a mixture of traffic with different data rate, urgency, and importance levels.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Abstract waves

    Report

    Mini-Cost Microwave

    The sixth in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume examines the technical feasibility of constructing an extremely low-cost, all-digital, X- or Ku-band microwave relay system, operating at a multi-megabit per second data rate.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Abstract network illustration

    Report

    Digital Simulation of Hot-Potato Routing in a Broadband Distributed Communications Network

    The second in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume describes a computer simulation of the message routing scheme proposed. The basic routing doctrine permitted a network to suffer a large number of breaks, then reconstitute itself by rapidly relearning to make best use of the surviving links.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Distributed network illustration

    Report

    Summary Overview of 'On Distributed Communications'

    The last in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume summarizes the system proposal, highlighting the more important features. It considers the particular advantages and disadvantages of the distributed network.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Network security illustration

    Report

    Security, Secrecy, and Tamper-Free Considerations

    The ninth in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume considers the security aspects of a system of the type proposed, in which secrecy is of paramount importance. It describes the safeguards to be built into the network, and evaluates the premise that the existence of

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Report

    Report

    On decisionmaking in large organizations

    An attempt to view the problems of military command and control systems in the context of organizational decisionmaking processes. Decisionmaking in a large military organization is intimately associated with the very complex communications process b...

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Colorful labyrinth

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    Determination of Path-Lengths in a Distributed Network

    The third in a series of 11 memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, this volume continues the model simulation reported in Vol. II. Modification of the routing doctrine by intermittently reducing the input data rate of local traffic reduced to a low level the number of message blocks taking excessively long paths.

    Jan 1, 1964

  • Report

    Report

    Periscope Antenna Systems with Optimally Curved Reflectors.

    An analysis of periscope antenna systems with curved reflectors, widely used in military and civilian microwave radio-relay communications. A design criterion for optimum curvature is developed that permits performance equal to or exceeding that of c...

    Jan 1, 1963