Military Communications

Military Communications is a core market that includes electronic systems, products, and devices used in transmitting and receiving video, voice, and data signals for military operations, as well as homeland security, and selected civil and joint-use situations.

This document contains definitions for the market, customer missions, unique market attributes, and market subsystem types.

The Military Communications Market includes:

Communications applied research and advanced technology development efforts
Tactical radios, data links, terminals and networks for air, land and sea operations
Enterprise network communications systems
SATCOM terminals, communications satellite payloads and SATCOM bandwidth
Theater and strategic/national communications systems
Communications signal intercept (COMINT) and jamming systems and IFF interrogators and responders
Communications signal intercept (COMINT) and jamming systems and IFF transceivers
Information Systems Security
Communications Service and Support contracts and the communications portions of C4ISR Service and Support contracts.

The Military Communications Market does not include:

Weapon data links and expendable communications systems
Base and administrative telecommunication or internet systems
Command and Control Systems man-machine interface devices
Company-funded research and development
Government budget for overhead and program management

Military Communication Customer Function

CECM	Communications Electronic Counter Measures, a mix of systems and operations with offensive character aimed at preventing the opponent from accessing radio resources by introducing noise or other signals and targeting anything from radio, cellular, wireless, SATCOM or even TV. It includes dedicated jamming equipment, antennas, software and systems integration.
CESM	Communications Electronic Support Measures, a mix of systems and techniques aiming at detecting, localizing, analysing, intercepting, storing and processing enemy emissions. Typically a “passive” approach, it includes specialized receiving equipment, software, antennas, storage/replay and analysis as well as systems integration
Cyber Attack	Hardware, software, and services whose primary purpose is to attack and/or exploit civilian and military computer networks and the data they contain.
Cyber Security	Hardware, software, and services whose primary purpose is to protect civilian and military computer networks and the data they contain. Cyber Security also includes response to attack/exploitation efforts that are defensive in nature.
Cyber Support	Hardware, software and services whose primary purpose is related supporting roles such as maintenance, sustainment, education/training and compliance/governance.
HLS Networks	Wireless and hardwired connection of COTS terminals, radios, sensors, and/or command & control systems so that voice, video or data can be quickly and easily transmitted and/or received by a number of users at different locations for Homeland Security missions.
IFF/Identification	Active or passive non-radar systems and devices employing communications methods for interrogation, responding and identification.
ISR Data Link	Used to rapidly transmit a large amount of data and/or video from ISR collection platforms and use higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths to achieve the high data rates required. Examples include the Common Data Link (CDL), Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL), Multi-Platform Common Data Link (MP-CDL) and the Common Data Link-Navy (CDL-N).
Jammer	Active communications countermeasure systems that can defeat enemy signal transmissions and receiving capabilities that operate primarily in the LF to SHF communications frequencies.
Multiple	This category includes any instance when the record involves more than one functional segmentation category.
Network Infrastructure	Computers, data storage, displays, wired and wireless links, cell-phones and other handheld devices, software applications, encryption and information assurance that provide fixed infrastructure to C2ISR facilities and databases in the home country and within forward operating bases linked by commercial SATCOM and fiber optic cables. This infrastructure is non-tactical in nature. COTS IT serves this segment and encrypted civilian networks provide the links; the encryption at the device level is often the exception to COTS.
Platform Intercom Systems	Networks internal to the platform that connect devices and their operators inside the platform with each other and with an external network through a network node which is an external communications device.
SatComm/Bandwidth	This segment identifies commercial satellite communications bandwidth that governments lease to augment their military SATCOM systems or as an alternative to them. The commercial SATCOM payloads are not part of the MILCOM forecast, but COTS terminal procurement is in SatComm Terminals and ID/IQ contract vehicles in Network Infrastructure.
SatComm/Payload	This segment identifies Communications systems that are on board Military Communications satellites. Telecommunications as such is not a part of the Military Communications Market Database, and military satellites are covered in the Spacecraft Market. Examples of military Satellite Communications Payloads would be the satellite communications portions of MILSTAR/(AEHF) Advanced EHF, (WGS) Wideband Global System and (MUOS) Mobile User Objective System. If military communications payloads do come to be hosted on commercial satellites, they would appear here. Collocation issues now make that unlikely.
SatComm/Terminals	Satellite Communications Terminals are somewhat like Tactical Terminals in terms of supporting host platforms. SATCOM Terminals are generally hosted on platforms and ground facilities although there are manportable MILSTAR/AEHF terminals. They have modems and function as transceivers for the host’s satellite communications networks. They are the counterpart to Satellite Communications Payloads. Satellite Payloads and the Terminals are frequently referred to as SATCOM networks.
Situational Awareness Data Link	Used primarily to distribute battlefield information updates among various platforms and users. Situational awareness data links typically operate at lower frequencies and longer wavelengths with lower throughput rates and transmit short message sets. Examples include Link 11, Link 16, JTIDS and MIDS.
Strategic Comm	Special military communications programs, systems and products primarily intended for and used in Strategic Command and Control missions and operations. Equipment could be point to point or broadcast, use a variety of frequencies and may use satellite or other means of message distribution. Strategic Communication usually has high security and credential features. Strategic Communication here refers to the nature of the communications as opposed to the distance or range of communications. It typically, however, must have a long distance communications capability which may then require relay nodes, links or other special features.
Tactical Networks	Tactical Networks represent an extension of tactical terminals that would include larger and different platforms types or ground facility nodes. Tactical Networks provide for the connection of a number of terminals, radios, sensors, and/or command & control systems so that voice, video or data can be quickly and easily transmitted and/or received by a number of users at different locations. Networks can be wireless, hard-wired or a combination of both. Networks can also be Internet in nature and provide a number of subscriber services. Protocols, signals, security, assurance and software compliances across the various nodes are integral parts of Tactical Networks as well as the actual Transmission and Receiver hardware. Their operational ranges are tactical in nature.
Tactical Radios and Terminals	Tactical Radios used to cover the majority of two way tactical communications systems, products and devices intended solely for voice communications. The current generations of these radios now have internal modems and are fully compatible with digital data communications. Even the older versions function as terminals in conjunction with external modems and network management. Tactical Terminals are communication systems, products and devices that can be handheld, hosted by specific platforms or in ground facilities, which then, in turn, have some internal communications distribution system for voice, video and/or data streamed in on tactical terminals.
Services/Support	Services primarily providing systems engineering, technical assistance, operations management, maintenance, training, sustainment, or scientific and engineering support of military communication systems, military communication systems operators or military communication procurement offices.
Multiple RF Functions	This category includes any instance when the record involves more than one RF electronics functional segmentation category, for example, F-35 ICNI where several communications and avionics functions reside in one set of host processors.
Other	This category is used when the record cannot be explicitly described by another functional segmentation category.
Research & Technology	Broad-based and general communications technology efforts, not associated with a specific product or system. For the US DoD, these programs and efforts fall into the RDT&E 6.2 (basic research) and 6.3 (applied research) categories.
Unidentified R&D	A modeled estimate of R&D Sales not yet identified.

Military Communications Attributes

Environment

Environment is an attribute describing the environment in which the platform mounted or standalone MilComm system operates.

Airborne	Aircraft, Helicopter, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV), Aerostat
Fixed	C3 Center, Hardware Infrastructure
Handheld	Handheld, Bodyworn
Land Portable	Manpack
Land Transportable	Vehicle, Trailer, Shelter, Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), Unmanned Ground Sensor (UGS)
Shipborne	Ship, Submarine, Patrol Craft, Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV)
Software Infrastructure	Examples: Radio Software Architecture, Waveform Software Applications, Information Assurance Applications, Network Management Applications, Software-Based Training
Spaceborne	Satellite
Multiple	Multiplatform

Military Communication Subsystems

System Integrator	The portion of the program related to integrating all of the subsystems into the forecasted Item and performing the program management. This role is typically filled by the Item System/Service Supplier.
T/R System	The portion of a communications system related to signal(s) transmission and reception. T/R components control and/or manage the signal strength, frequencies, sensitivities, bandwidth and range.
Processor	The portion of a communications system related to processing signal informational content as provided by the T/R elements.
Antenna	The portion of the communications system related to signal propagation and directional aspects.
Ancillaries	Items such as cable assemblies, speakers, headsets, power amplification, batteries, adapters and filters.
Other Electronics	Generally refers to any communications hardware not directly used for transmission, reception, propagation or processing. Input and output buffers and interface buss would be examples of Other Communication System Electronics.
Mission Software 1-3	The database allows for up to three contractors who might design, build and install Mission System Software packages. Advanced communications and systems are relying more and more on complex software packages (vs. fixed analog design) to encode, decode, adjust wavelengths and frequencies, build information packages and conduct content modulation in order to maximize device utilization across many applications. It is not unusual for some systems to have one or more mission software applications designed for special use by several different contractors.
Non-Mission Software	Communication systems may contain software designed to manage the communication device or system itself. Non-mission Software monitoring and administering fault tolerances levels and administering self-healing applications would be examples of Non-mission software.
Information Security Technology	Hardware and/or software installed in the communications system for the purpose of enhanced security generally associated with received signals and/or signal content.
Network Operations 1-2	Interoperability and network-centric warfare demands are increasing, particularly for and on communications systems and devices. As a result, more and more communications systems are requiring hardware, software and circuitry, outside mission system, T/R modules, antennas and processing content, to allow for network centric functionality. The database allows for up to two contractors who might design, build and install network operational capabilities for a communication system (separate contracts for services/support for network operations are part of the Operations Management Services subsystem).
Subscriber Services	Some communications systems need special built-in gateways and access channels for subscriber services. Communication satellites with hundreds of relay or link communication channels for lease, sale or assignment would need on board Subscriber Service capabilities to manage channel operations and assignments. Otherwise they might become unregulated broadband transmission radios. The database allows for a contractor who might develop and deploy subscriber services for communications systems (separate contracts for services/support for subscriber services are part of the Operations Management Services subsystem).
Licensor	The portion of the system’s value related to providing raw technology. A Licensor’s role can be compared to a low-value-added integrator.
Sys Eng & Tech Assistance (SETA)	System Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA). The government often needs to supplement its internal Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance capability in order to meet its frequently changing needs and demands. SETA contractors provide analysis and engineering services in a consulting capacity, working closely with the government's own engineering staff members. SETA contractors provide the flexibility and quick availability of expertise without the expense and commitment of sustaining the staff long-term.
Scientific & Engineering Support	Where not specifically stated as SETA, other scientific and engineering support services. The work performed in this area deals with the conduct of analytical, experimental, investigative and other fact finding work in the natural and physical sciences, along with the operation and maintenance of the equipment required for these purposes. Examples would be: engineering related studies, scientific research and support, writing technical manuals, chemical, biological and other testing services; architect-engineer services; environmental planning and engineering services; and other technical services.
Ops-Mgt Services	Operations and management, are generally non-engineering and non-technical services. Examples: operating and managing facilities (Facilities or Warehouse Managers); infrastructure tasks and oversight (Operations or Plant Managers); supervision and management services (Planning Manager; consulting and advisory services; program management; and providing other non-technical professional services. It is along the lines of business practices to create the highest level of efficiency possible within an organization. It concerns itself with converting materials and labor into goods and services as efficiently as possible to maximize the profit of an organization, and will have a focus on streamlining processes.
Maintenance Services	Maintenance, or technician specific servicing and general repairs. Examples: base maintenance and repair; non-specific platform repair and other technician maintenance services; staffing O&R depots; environmental remediation; and decontamination. These services may include, but are not limited to, preventative maintenance, emergency repairs, scheduled servicing, testing, and component replacements.
Training Services	Training activities to include syllabus preparation, manuals, documents, personnel, location and facilities, classroom devices and equipment, training simulations, and the successful completion of the training contract statement of work.
Sustainment Services	Sustainment, is the provision of personnel, logistic, and other support required to maintain and prolong operations or combat until successful accomplishment or revisions of the mission or the of the national objective. Examples: food service; fuel storage and shipment; security; supply airlift and sealift; and other storage services.
Other Work-share Provider	A significant subcontractor whose contribution cannot be categorized in any of the other sections.
Unidentified R&D	A modeled estimate of R&D Sales not yet identified.