Why aren't military communications technologies more unified?

SGT Thomas Sullivan — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 20:55:22 -0500

Working in the SATCOM field and now at APG where military communications are developed on a daily basis, I have been exposed to the entire spectrum of military communications technologies and am truly amazed at how diversified yet not unified they are.

I see multiple efforts being made to develop technologies from different offices, yet the sharing between organizations and branches of the military seem to be low.

On another note, the certification process for getting new technologies to the warfighter as well as new software is painstaking. How many layers of red tape and authorization does something have to go through before it is battle ready? I am almost afraid that we are lagging behind the ever developing world of future technologies, and we are pushing out "New" gear and tech that is already dinosaur aged as far as the commercial world is concerned.

Is there a push at upper levels of command to streamline this process? Reduce the amount of senior officer/SES signatures something needs before it is issued out?

I am in this game to support the warfighter making sure they can communicate back home and more importantly, in theater with their units. Peoples lives are in the balance on a daily basis, and as we draw down our military to a trimmer, more advanced force, I would like to see them keep up with current tech.

What are your thoughts my fellow Rally Pointers?

Response by SGT Thomas Sullivan made Nov 6 at 2013 2:32 AM

SGT Thomas Sullivan — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 02:32:29 -0500

Also, if you wish to chime in on what areas of military communications technologies could use the most development that would be great!

Response by SGT Thomas Sullivan made Nov 6 at 2013 1:58 PM

SGT Thomas Sullivan — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 13:58:45 -0500

Bump

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Dec 13 at 2013 12:08 AM

SSG Laureano Pabon — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 00:08:44 -0500

communications in the Armed forces. perhaps lags because of the amount to programmers capable of writing programs that are fail proof.

I personally find interesting is that with all this new technology no one has come up with making an aircraft hover using magnetic technology.

Response by SFC Donald Sweeting made Dec 13 at 2013 12:18 AM

SFC Donald Sweeting — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 00:18:55 -0500

I think much of this stems from the different levels of comfort with the technology you reference. Case and point....previous commander was not as tech savvy as the current one and therefore there is a big push o n requirements within the organization.

I have to agree that if there were a standard package that gives a myriad of options to the leaders and soldiers alike to communicate that would be great. The issue becomes training or culture change for those exposed to these packages.

Just a few thoughts