Communications equipment and systems are currently undergoing change within the corps and the division. The current area communications system will be replaced by the mobile subscriber equipment system.
Current VHF-FM (AN/VRC-12 series) radios and HF-SSB (AN/GRC-106) radios will also be replaced by the single channel ground and airborne radio subsystem, and the improved high frequency radios. Along with these equipment changes, automated hardware systems will also be deployed in support of C2 and management information systems.
These changes will affect the MSB in the area of connectivity to the area system. Under the current system the MSB normally has trunks from the MSB switchboard to the signal battalion operated switchboard which supports the DISCOM headquarters (support platoon of the command operations company of the signal battalion). When MSE is deployed, the MSB will run wire from unit locations to the MSE interface point. The amount of wire the MSB headquarters and companies will need will be based on the dispersion requirements of the particular situation, which is the relationship of each unit to the nearest MSE interface point.
With the deployment of the MSE, the wire laying for all units will have to be covered by unit SOP. It must cover who does it and in what priority. The communications means will remain essentially the same. The MSB will depend on courier, combat net radios, and wire access to the signal corps provided area communications system. Telephones, facsimile, and data terminals will be user owned and operated subscriber instruments on the area system via wire access.
The current area system is shown
in Figure 3-1. The MSB and companies use their
organic switchboards (SB-22) and telephone instruments for internal
wire communications. Wire nets are depicted in
Figures 3-2 through 3-8. The MSB will normally tie into the area
communication system (signal battalion multichannel system) at the DISCOM
support platoon switchboard (signal battalion asset). The companies will tie
into the MSB switchboard or directly into the signal
battalion switchboard to gain access into the area system. Methods of tie-in
into the area system will be dependent on tactical dispersion of units.
When the MSE area system replaces the current
area system, the current 2-wire unit switchboards and telephone instruments
will not be capable of entering the 4-wire digital MSE area system. The MSB
as well as other units will retain the organic, 2-wire equipment, for
internal communications requirements.
MSE is the area common user voice
communications system within the division. It is the backbone of
the corps system and will be deployed from the corps rear boundary forward
to the division maneuver battalion's main CP. MSE is comprised of five
functional areas:
The MSB will participate in the first four
of the above stated functional areas.
Area coverage means that MSE provides common user support to a geographical area, as opposed to dedicated support to a unit or customer. Figure 3-9 shows the deployment of area nodes across a corps area. These nodes are called node centers. They are depicted in Figure 3-10. They are under the control of the corps signal officer to meet the needs of the corps commander's intent.
At the division level, the division signal battalion operates four of these nodes. Connected to these nodes, via line-of-sight radios, are small extension node switchboards and large extension node switchboards. The following switchboards are organic to the division signal battalion:
-
12 SEN (VI) switchboards capable
of supporting 26 subscribers each.
- 4 SEN (V2) switchboards capable of supporting 41 subscribers each.
- 1 LEN switchboard capable of supporting 176 subscribers.
Wire subscriber access points will provide the entry (interface) points between user owned and operated fixed subscriber terminal equipment, and the MSE area system, operated by the corps, division signal battalions.
Figures 3-12 through 3-14 show the MSE switchboard configurations which the MSB may tie into the area system. The two types of interface equipments are-
- The signal distribution panel (junction box) J-1077. Each panel will provide up to 13 subscriber access points.
- Remote multiplexer combiners which provide access for eight subscriber access points.
Beyond these two interface points (J-1077 and RMC), the using units are responsible for the installation and operation of fixed subscriber terminal instruments as well as the installation and maintenance of the WF 16 field wire from the instruments to the interface points (J-1077 and RMC) into the area MSE system. WF 16 wire consists of two pairs of wire. One pair is olive drab, the other brown. The olive drab pair has a ridge along the side for night identification.
Subscriber terminals used by the MSB headquarters and its organic companies are the digital nonsecure voice telephones. This is the prime MSE subscriber terminal and provides full duplex digital, 4-wire voice as well as a data port for interfacing the AN/UXC-7 facsimile, TACCS computer, the unit level computer, and the interface for the MSB into the ATCCS.
MSE is primarily designed as a voice switching network. Until data transfer systems become available or MSE is enhanced with a packet switching capability, automation terminals should be kept to a minimum. Bulk data requirements should be met with another means of transfer, such as courier. See Figure 3-15. Figures 3-16 and 3-17 portray the assignment of DNVT, FAX, ATCCS and ULC for the MSB and its companies. The DNVT will tie into the area system through either a panel or an RMC.
The MSE terminal is the AN/VRC-97 or MSRT. This MSRT, which consists of a very high frequency radio and a digital secure voice terminal, is a vehicle-mounted assembly. It interfaces with MSE system through a radio access unit. The primary use of the MSRT is to provide mobile subscribers access to the MSE area network. Figure 3-18 is a typical MSRT interface into the area system. RAUs are deployed to maximize area coverage and MSRT concentrations. The MSRT provides key mobile subscriber access to the area system. MSRT can also operate in a CP location to allow access to staff and functional personnel.
The combat net radio structure is designed around three separate radio systems; each has different capabilities and transmission characteristics. The three systems are-
- Improved high frequency radio.
- Single-channel ground and airborne radio.
- Single-channel objective tactical terminal.
Current CNR equipment in the MSB are the AN/GRC-106 and the AN/VRC-12 series radios. These will be replaced by AN/GRC-213 and SINCGARS series, respectively. The AN/GRC-213 is a low-power manpack/vehicular radio. It interfaces with the other configurations of the IHFR system. SINCGARS is a new family of VHF-FM radios. These radios are designed for simple, quick operation using a 16-element keypad for operation for voice or digital data communications. They are capable of short-range or long-range operation for voice or digital data communications. The planning range is 8 to 35 kilometers. They are capable of a single-channel operation for interface with the AN/VRC 12 series or other FM radios operating in a single channel mode. They also operate in a jam resistent, frequency-hopping mode which can be changed as needed.
Diagrams for each net operated by the MSB are presented in this section. Each is presented first with the current equipment (AN/VRC-12 and GRC-106 radios) and then with the SINCGARS and IHFR radios. The second diagram for each net does not represent a simple, one-for-one replacement, old for new. Rather the diagram reflects the application of incremental change packages for SINCGARS and IHFR over a period of time. (The assignment of radio equipment to specific sections was influenced by a requirements validation review.)
This net is used to command and control the elements of the MSB both from a tactical (rear operations) and from a CSS mission perspective. Net control is maintained by the communications branch of the S2/S3 section. The S2/S3 section and support operations section colocate and use a combination of remotes and installed radios to operate in the following external nets:
- DISCOM Command/Operations Net.
- DISCOM Logistics Operations Net.
This command net provides C2 for the company. Each of the five water points have radios in this net. The petroleum platoon is allocated three tanker units with radios for control purposes when convoys go forward to refueling points in the FSB area. See Figures 3-21 and 3-22 for the S&S company net.
The maintenance companies nets provide C2 for their maintenance elements. At times elements of these companies will operate throughout the division area requiring close coordination of customer radio frequencies to meet on customer nets for coordination of maintenance requirements. See Figures 3-23 and 3-24 for the light maintenance company, Figures 3-25 and 3-26 for the heavy maintenance company, and Figures 3-27 and 3-28 for the missile support company.
The medical company FM net provides C2 for medical treatment and evacuation throughout the division area forward to the brigade rear boundaries. Dual net capability is provided at platoon and squad level for coordination with supported units and medical air evacuation. See Figures 3-29 and 3-30 for the medical company command net.
The medical operations AM net provides long-range voice capability to tie the division medical elements into the overall corps medical treatment and evacuation system. See Figures 3-31 and 3-32 for the medical company operations net.
This net provides C2 for truck platoons and squads. The company CP acts as NCS for the net and provides the truckmaster access for control and dispatch purposes. See Figures 3-33 and 3-34 for the transportation motor transport company net.
As part of the overall operations security program, MSB elements must consistently practice signal security. A vital consideration is siting of transmitting antennas. Sites must enable communications while minimizing the enemy's ability to intercept and locate transmissions. Considerations include-
-
Remote antennas away from CPs
by at least 1 kilometer.
- Construct and use directional antennas.
- Use terrain features, such as hills, vegetation, and buildings to mask transmission.
- Disperse transmitters.
- Maintain radio or radio listening silence, using radio only when absolutely necessary.
- Distribute codes on a need-to-know basis.
- Use only authorized call signs and brevity codes.
- Use wire and messengers whenever feasible.
- Use available secure voice/RATT devices.
- Maintain net discipline and control.
- Use authentication and encryption codes specified in the current SOI.
- Keep transmissions short (less than 20 seconds).
- Report all COMSEC discrepancies to the net control station.
- Use lowest transmitter power output consistent with good communications.
- Avoid significant surges in traffic on single channel radio nets.
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