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WARFIGHTER INFORMATION NETWORK - TACTICAL (WIN-T)

The Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) is the Army's tactical Intranet from theater and the sustaining base to the maneuver brigades as a threshold requirement and maneuver battalions as the objective requirement. WIN-T is the communications network of the future and will replace Tri-Services Tactical Communications (TRI-TAC) and Mobile Subscriber Equipment (MSE). The major WIN-T elements are network infrastructure, network management, information assurance, and user interfaces that provide voice, data, and video services. The four major WIN-T elements, when integrated with the Army's Tactical Internet, form the Army's Tactical Intranet. WIN-T enhances network management capabilities currently provided by the Integrated System Control (ISYSCON).

WIN-T provides wired and wireless communications for voice, data, and video by relying on commercial products and technologies as available. WIN-T supports multiple security levels from Unclassified to Top Secret/SCI. It operates in the tactical environment and is mobile, secure, and survivable. It integrates terrestrial, airborne, and satellite-based transport capabilities into a network infrastructure to provide connectivity across the extended battlespace. WIN-T objective capabilities are integrated into maneuver platforms and deployed with the Warfighter. WIN-T network management, and Wide Area Network (WAN) coverage capabilities, is deployed by Army signal units.

The WIN architecture was approved in January 1996, and the first draft Operational Requirements Document (ORD) approved by the Signal Center in April 1998. In early 1999, the program office began OSD briefs, and IPT meetings commenced in May 1999. The current schedule has dual contractors developing the systems architecture beginning 3QFY02 and demonstrating their designs in an Early User Test and Experimentation (EUT&E) event in 2QFY04. A single contractor team will be selected in 1QFY05 to enter a two-year low rate production phase that will be followed by the Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) in 1QFY07. The full-rate production decision is scheduled for 2QFY08.

Due to changes in the POM, many T&E activities have been delayed. The ORD is approved, the Critical Operational Issues and Criteria (COICs) are in draft form, operational test and evaluation strategies for the System Integration and Demonstration phase are intended to be formalized soon, and the Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) is expected to begin coordination for final signatures before the end of CY01.

The IOT&E is planned for 1QFY07 and is expected to test a signal battalion set of equipment in a division-sized or larger operational test. Production Verification Testing is planned to precede IOT&E by one year and will be conducted on a sub-set of the same production representative hardware used in IOT&E.

No technical or operational testing has occurred. Operational test strategies are currently being developed to ensure that the IOT&E will be adequate to determine if WIN-T communications assets can support deployed units from brigade to corps. The intervening year between technical testing and operational testing is well advised to correct any identified problems prior to training of the operational test unit. However, the current schedule does not provide sufficient time between the scheduled Force Development Test and Evaluation (FDT&E) and the IOT&E to retrain units if significant adjustments to tactics, techniques, and procedures are required, or to correct any hardware or software deficiencies. Operational test strategies for testing beyond the full-rate production decision are being developed.

WIN-T is a system where early involvement is being implemented. Participation in Test and Evaluation working group meetings since the program's inception has helped define COICs that are operationally meaningful and measurable for assessing the WIN-T contribution to operations. This early cooperation improves the quality of both the system development and test program and provides meaningful assessments for future decisions.