Future of Marine Communication in Navy - Essay Example

Future of Marine Communication in Navy The year 1492, on the evening of August 3, Columbus left from Palos with three ships. He sailed across the oceans and discovered places which were not known to the civilized world of that age. During his voyages he was out of the sight of land for months. During storms, he must have wished he could call for help. If he had lived today, he would definitely use the advance communication equipment to contact the nearest port for help in navigation. Today's ships can communicate with the shore or with other vessels using many communication methods. Parallel is the case with naval communication. As ages went by, the more traditional audio/visual aids used under naval communication were replaced by more advance radio, satellite and underwater communication. The need for development of communication systems in Navy was always greater than it was in merchant ships as a larger number of lives depended on it. The atrocities of war always were a far more serious threat and the slightest mistake could result in catastrophic consequences. "Communications is everything, it's the ability to pass information down to our units that are supporting us and are working in our group, and up to our bosses so that they have a feeling of assuredness that we're doing the right thing in a timely fashion, and we're answering their questions, as well", Harris said." (http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.aspstory_id=21269) Audio/Visual Communication The most basic form of audio communication was simply through raising a voice by mariners if the vessel is close enough. Another form is through sounding the horn on the ship. For instance, a long blast every two minutes used when operating in a fog. Visual communication was widely practiced through the use of lights. Lights were flashed on and off to signal messages between ships. The use of lighthouse is far old. Many of the basic audio visual aids used for centuries by mariners are still in practice. Communication by Wireless Telephone In 1916, the United States Navy Department was connected by telephone and telegraph on a trial basis. The result of these tests was so satisfactory that the department proposed to arrange for a non-stop direct long-distance service by telephone and telegraph. Communication was established shortly after this between the office of the Secretary of the Navy and the captain of the battleship New Hampshire. The Secretary then gave orders to the ship for the next day's movements, this being the first event that a ship of the Navy was ever operated direct from the department by wireless telephone. This demonstration was followed by communication with various naval stations, widely separated, by long-distance landline. This accomplishment was nothing but a realization towards the wonders which the future brought with development of communication technology in the Navy. The Development of Communication Equipments in the Navy With the realization came concrete steps towards the expansion of the industry of communication equipments for the Navy. Companies started entering into the business of research and manufacturing of such technologies globally. With extensive research a number of systems and technologies emerged. A review of the technologies developed and the companies which developed them is given in the pages that follow. Marcom - Integrated Communications System The Marcom is the foundation of the Navy's newest digital integrated voice / data switching system for affordable command and control equipment supporting communications and radio room automation. It uses latest technology to offer the user of command and control system a low cost, user friendly, solution to the complex voice, video and data communications needs of current and future endeavours. L-3 Communication Systems-East designs, located in New Jersey, is specialized in developing, producing and integrating communication systems and support equipment for naval applications. As part of L-3 Communications Corporation, the company is ranked as one of the largest US defence contractors. Following are highlights of the technology developed by the company. "Marcom has the flexibility to support integration with both legacy and modern communication systems like automated radio rooms based on network radios like JTRS. Applications include: shipboard / mobile interior and exterior communications; radio base band circuit switching; air traffic control; secure switching; and command and control centres." (http://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/navigation/l%2D3/) Selex Communications Selex Communications is one of the largest defence communications companies in the world, with its operations running in Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey and Romania. It is a leading company in naval communications for defence and maritime security, with first-rate information of the well-specialized technologies and means needed for the design, integration and installation of communication systems to all points of convolution. "Selex Communication's expertise in the different aspects of communication system design is reflected in the wide range of Selex Communications products available, including: New-generation radio transmitters, transceivers, receivers and ancillaries covering the VLF to SHF frequency range to meet the communication requirements of strategic and tactical military operations New generation wideband switches for wire, fibre-optic and wireless communication networks, supporting and extending the ATM and IP modes of operation in compliance with the security requirements of military applications Multi-function, multi-algorithm crypto devices for information security over wire and wire less channels" (http://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/navigation/marconi/) A prominent feature of Selex Communication's naval communication systems is its common integrated architecture with functional sub-systems which supports operations irrespective of size. The management functions of the subsystem are divided into three main parts: Configuration Management; Resources Monitoring and Management; and Security Management. Undersea Warfare Systems As underwater voyages became possible, the need to develop communication systems for undersea warfare became alive. The manufacturing of sonar sensors, underwater communication systems, mine detection and identification equipment and submarine target simulators became possible. L-3 Communications became specialized in manufacturing and developing low frequency active sonars for helicopters as well as modest size surface ships. The company demonstrated its Helicopter Long Range Active Sonar (HELRAS) system as the highest performance helicopter dipping sonar in the world. The system was tested by the US Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Italian Navy, and the Royal Norwegian Navy and the results were outstanding. Another system known as LFATS (Low Frequency Active Towed System) developed by the same company was designed for high performance at a low operating frequency. LFATS, a low frequency sonar system, is a complement to HELRAS, with which it can operate in multi-static mode. Integrated Communications Control System (ICCS) ICCS was developed for secure, fast and reliable communications for any type of warship, from patrol boats and submarines to aircraft carriers. The ICCS is aimed at efficient control and management of the ship's overall communications, i.e. Internal and external communications Equipment remote control and real-time monitoring; Frequency management service Gateway to the Combat Direction System (CDS) The system is composed of: "NAU switching units, providing the necessary digital and analogue interfaces to the communications system components, also holding responsibility for the switching and signal distribution functions. Voice terminals, through which external and internal voice communications are performed. Communications Control Computers (CCC), enabling a single operator to take care of the full control and supervision of the system. Through a user-friendly man-machine interface, a comprehensive set of tools is available to the operator, helping him to perform his duties efficiently and with minimum effort". (http://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/navigation/eid/) The systems are developed by EID, a company with its activities focused on the design and manufacturing of proficient communication systems and equipment aimed mainly at the defence market. EID provides external and internal Integrated Communications Systems for any type of warship. Acting as communications system integrator, EID provides the required system design and engineering, services and the communications equipment. More than sixty of its systems are already installed in countries like Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Brazil, and Thailand. Implementation in Merchant Ships Since the equipments developed are meant for communication within a marine operation, it can not only be adopted in a naval setting but also in merchant ships, tailored to meet the specific demands of each. Many companies, which have moved towards development of defence equipment, initially started with the manufacturing and design of communication equipment for ordinary merchant operations. Elsag, a company specialized in manufacturing of information and communication technology, began operations in the maritime sector initially for merchant vessels. Since then the offering has developed to keep pace with its customers' requirements, expanding to embrace ship and shore based training systems for the military, ship computerized maintenance management systems, ship equipment configuration management systems, IT systems for production facilities, outsourced services and systems for IT network and infrastructure management. Integrated Platform Management Systems Elsag was able to develop integrated control systems based on off-the-shelf technology in order to provide excellent performances in terms of functions, reliability and robustness. "Combined with improved ease of operation, modular architecture, controlled machinery in-depth diagnostic capabilities, operator decision support ability and online ship-based training, the modular architecture on which the system is based allows integrated management of all platform components: Propulsion Electric power generation and distribution Auxiliaries Cargo and stability Navigation Safety (ESD, F&G, safety management) Onboard Computerized Maintenance Management Systems The maintenance management systems developed by Elsag using the SAP platform represent a powerful, flexible management tool for scheduled and on condition maintenance. The system can be used with portable terminals and provides automatic access to Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETM)". (http://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/consoles/elsag/) The systems were primarily meant of merchant ships but with the rapid development in the naval defence industry, the focus was shifted more towards naval platforms. Still, a system of communications which successfully runs in naval operations, not meant fundamentally for defence purpose, can and is adopted in merchant ships world over. In fact, research done and technologies developed in line with defence requirements have provided a solid ground for the development of general purpose and merchant sea navigation. Future of Marine Communication in the Navy The Navy of the future must be based on capabilities and oriented towards dealing with possible threats. While the essence of naval forces will still be lying in the power and speed needed to seize the targets and firmly remove any regional threat, the communication systems assisting its primary goals will become even more important, with access to data provided by space and cyberspace. It is the synergistic access provided by the sea, the space and the cyberspace which is going to be the revolution of the future. Technological advances and innovation in human-systems integration in future platforms remain a significant matter. The future warships will carry on operations in advancing areas for a longer time period and therefore, should be able to respond more quickly to any contingency occurring, which is a critical issue regarding the future of communication systems in naval warfare. The Navy continues to invest in it's a number of R&D projects. Most of them include matching innovation responses to emerging fleet requirements and mission capability gap identification. This type of R&D process emphasizes rapid prototyping, testing under field conditions; and rigorous, independent assessment of results. The chances of failure or success of any system within a naval operating unit, which also includes the communication systems, can be tested before the actual situation with maximum accuracy. The way towards which these R&D projects are headed clearly defines the shape of the future as the one in which operations will be initiated from remote locations, having battle stations at locations within the oceans and a command and control system, based on the foundations of a strong communication network, managing the entire operation from a single point of origin. Works Cited .:: Elsag ::. http://www.elsag.it/html/homepage.htm (Accessed 2 February 2006) Marine Communications http://www.mi.mun.ca/mi-net/maricomm/maricomm.htm (Accessed 2 February 2006) Navy Department: Communication by Wireless Telephone (1916) http://earlyradiohistory.us/1916navy.htm (Accessed 2 February 2006) Naval Technology - L-3 Communication Systems-East - Naval Communication Systems, S/TAR and Information Security http://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/navigation/l%2D3/ (Accessed 2 February 2006) Naval Technology - Elsag - Innovation Technology for Defence http://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/consoles/elsag/ (Accessed 2 February 2006) Naval Technology - Selex Communications - Naval Communications For Defence and Maritime Security http://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/navigation/marconi/ (Accessed 2 February 2006) Naval Technology - EID - Naval Communications Systems http://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/navigation/eid/ (Accessed 2 February 2006) Naval Technology - Selex Communications - Naval Communications For Defence and Maritime Security http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.aspstory_id=21269 (Accessed 2 February 2006) Read More