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Strategic & Tactical Networks

The objective of "network centric operations" is to turn information superiority into combat power in order to plan and conduct operations far more quickly and effectively than any adversary can react. To accomplish this objective, our warfighter's networks must be reliable, available, survivable and capable of distributing large amounts of data quickly and precisely across a wide area. Additionally, these networks must be able to simultaneously and seamlessly meet the needs of both manned and unmanned systems throughout the strategic and tactical battlespace. STO is pursuing ideas and developing technologies to ensure U.S. forces will have this tactical and strategic edge. STO is conducting research in areas that include: robust, self forming, mobile ad hoc networks and communications, spectrum management, high data rate point-to-point wireless communications, improved end-to-end network performance, and networks that are reconfigurable and optimize resource allocations based on mission priorities. The STO investment portfolio also includes the development of highly reliable network protocols and interfaces, and wireless networking technology that will enable robust connectivity in harsh environments for the military user.