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How Does Military Communicate on a Battlefield Today

by Mic Johnson

Whether we realize it or not, communication has always played a pivotal role in our everyday life – but in a hostile environment like the battlefield, its importance is taken to the next level. “Knowing is half the battle” – as a common saying in military ranks indicates; and back in the day, soldiers and commanders learned to use flaming arrows, drum beats, smoke signals, and messenger pigeons as communication mediums. 

These days, with the complexity of 21st-Century warfare, military communication has evolved dramatically to meet today’s technology standards, and the soldiers of the modern age have to adapt if they want to be on the right track to victory. In this article, we are diving deep into the world of military communication to see how things are done on the modern battlefield. 

1. Compact Mobile Communication Hotspot

In a nutshell, a compact mobile communication hotspot is one that can be fitted into a rugged military vehicle, and through its use, military units can integrate different military communication systems; some of the most popular options are trunk broadband, combat radio, and satellite communications. Although the flexibility is unmatched, making all of those functions work flawlessly together can be a challenge and requires a bit of training to operate effectively. With the aim of keeping pace with front-line command and changing or challenging terrains, soldiers on the field will not have to worry about their ability to communicate or whether the amount of data available is sufficient. 

The hotspot will have already met all these needs, and the military can pick whatever technology they need whenever they need it. Instead of having a fixed infrastructure, the hotspot is based on a moving set of data bubbles, so that it can bounce data off different locations. Most importantly, a sophisticated security overlay will prevent the enemy from eavesdropping or jamming the system. 

2. Data Link System

A soldier in a hostile environment like the battlefield needs to be aware of where he and she is, and understand how that location is related to where allies or potential threats are. That information can be the difference between winning a battle and losing one. In that sense; it is absolutely essential for military units to use a data link system to enable the digital battle space, provide the soldiers with situational awareness, and allow them to exchange critical data as well as battlefield execution capabilities. It is vital that all data link systems are secured so that only allies can gain access to this information, as well as being jam-resistant so that information can be exchanged freely and quickly without any problems with the quality of the communication line.

An effective data link system can help soldiers to connect in all kinds of terrains – in the air, on the ground, or in the heat of battle. These systems offer the latest advances in digital technology while still having room for flexibility and growth, enhancing the interoperability and connection of soldiers at unparalleled levels of situational awareness.

3. Universal Battle Space Management System

As unmanned vehicles and drones have become more and more common in recent years, a training and communication burden has been placed upon the military. The role of human beings in how soldiers operate and communicate on the field is still very important, and the military needs a system that allows soldiers to direct and share crucial information being fed from drones and other unmanned air and ground vehicles. There is now less need to put humans in harm’s way, and for those that are already on the field, they can be equipped with more information than ever before, and have the ability to share it on a digital map to make every situation easier to understand and deal with.

As unmanned vehicles only collect and send critical data from the field (through the use of filter and context), it does not take long for everyone to see the mission and video feed instantly in real-time, and as a result, plans can be formulated quickly and the whole unit can be on the same page.

Constant technological advancements come with many opportunities and challenges, and in the case of military communication, soldiers and commanders have to adapt to operate new tools and equipment seamlessly for better results. Huge amounts of information must flow back and forth securely over thousands of miles without interruption or bottlenecks, and as the lines between soldiers and system administrators have blurred, it is the role of everyone involved to ensure the communication process works effectively. In order to do, continuous training and practice policies have to be put in place to get everyone up-to-date with the new systems. Once this is done, the chances of victory on the battlefield improve immensely.

 

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