But the battlefield is also undergoing a major tactical IT transformation as the Defense Department reinvents the networks and intelligence systems that serve its fighting platforms.

In this edition of Defense Systems, you will read about such efforts, which will ultimately result in the upgrade of the Global Command and Control System to the emerging Joint Command and Control system. The armed services need a network that can scale to tens of thousands of users, plus equal numbers of sensors and databases. GCCS is being dumped because its client-server architecture just doesn’t scale enough to fit the bill.

The Army Battle Command System is integrating 11 disparate systems into JC2. The Air Force is aligning its Battle Management Command and Control system with DOD’s net-centric infrastructure. Both programs will deploy Web services technology to overcome the hurdles of integration.

What DOD is shooting for is interoperability. The services must collaborate with one another. Coalition forces need to collaborate with U.S. troops. Pilots need to talk with sailors, who in turn have to talk to boots on the ground.

Also in this issue, Army Brig. Gen. Susan Lawrence talks about how troops are faring in Iraq. Michael P. Pflueger, CIO of the Defense Intelligence Agency, assesses the progress of DIA’s new mission area: operational and management control of IT for the unified commands.

You will also learn how the Navy is restructuring its program offices, and you’ll get an overview of some sophisticated and rugged portable PCs.

This is the tactical transformation issue, where we bring battlefield command and control systems and technologies to the front page.

donley@postnewsweektech.com

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