Command and Control for Distributed Operations: An Analysis of Possible Technologies, Structure and Employment

In order for information to move efficiently in asymmetric combat environments the military has had to flatten its organization and find ways to network those decision makers who impact the ebb and flow of events on the ground day to day. This thesis further develops the concept of Marine Corps distributed operations (DO) under the current Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) structure. Analysis will focus on the integration of traditional RF nets into a networked based architecture using emerging Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) Radio Frequency to Internet-Protocol (RF to IP) technologies that would further advance the Marine Corps MAGTF capabilities. Evaluations include traditional Marine Corps ground radio assets along with COTS equipment. Tests include laboratory and field settings. Key performance measures include interoperability, bandwidth measurements, range and power consumption. Additional measures include interoperability with current internet protocol networks and methods of execution. Findings support the bridging of military tactical ground radios into IP networks or into other IP enabled communication devices. Radio interoperability is investigated over various network mediums such as IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.11A and Mesh links.