Air Force aerial layer networking transformation initiatives

Available secure communications is one vital enabler that underscores success in nearly every mission environment and application. As demand quickly outstrips available supply with both new and older capabilities competing for bandwidth and spectrum, the Air Force, along with their Joint counterparts, must endeavor to expand and complement current terrestrial and space-borne capabilities. The aerial layer provides a new horizon for secure communications. By utilizing aerial layer assets as communications nodes and relays, the Air Force and its Joint partners can readily amplify and augment available communications assets and enhance warfighter collaboration. Warfighter activities in the aerial layer span the Range Of Military Operations (ROMO) and a diverse set of operating environments. Using the aerial layer, communications assets are not constrained by terrestrial topology ground access and control, predictive satellite orbits, or other limitations hindering ground and space-based communications. Instead, the aerial layer enables dynamic network topology changes, increases bandwidth on-the-fly, and additional, alternates routing for existing communications channels while reducing enemy threats and disruptions. As a critical leader, contributor, and user of the Joint Airborne Layer Network (JALN), the Air Force has set a horizon for transformation of networking development and practices in the aerial layer to better operate, communicate, and collaborate in permissive, contested, and anti-access regions. In October 2009, the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) signed the JALN Initial Capabilities Document (ICD). As all Services strive together to build and leverage the JALN, the Air Force will continue to propel constructs, capabilities, and communications to enable the Warfighter. This paper describes the Air Force's transformation plans to overcome communications transport and networking challenges in the aerial layer and contribute towards the Joint way ahead.