photo credit: IdeaMensch

Key Takeaways

• Tactical battlefield communications are essential for command coordination, situational awareness, and mission success.
• Legacy communication systems across military branches often lack interoperability, creating delays and data silos.
• The Department of Defense’s JADC2 initiative aims to unify and modernize communication systems across all services.
• Rapid technological evolution and budget constraints challenge the military’s ability to maintain cutting-edge systems.
• Expanding bandwidth capacity is critical for supporting real-time data sharing in modern battlefield operations.

Michael Henry, a Virginia Beach-based communications expert, has built a distinguished career advancing tactical and strategic military communications. Currently serving as the chief executive officer of Industrial Communications Group (ICG), he previously held the position of technical director with the Department of Defense (DOD) in Suffolk, Virginia.

With nearly three decades of service as a communications officer in the United States Army, Mr. Henry led complex, global projects for the DOD, specializing in technology integration and network interoperability. His work in tactical battlefield communications has focused on enhancing secure, resilient systems that connect soldiers and command units effectively.

Through his leadership, he has supported both emerging defense technologies and modernization efforts that address communication challenges across all branches of the armed forces.

Common Challenges to Tactical Battlefield Communications

Tactical battlefield communications are critical to the success of any military mission. The lack of an effective, secure communication network robs commanders of vitally important situational awareness, as well as the ability to control units in the field. A resilient communication network also allows front-line soldiers to quickly provide commanding officers with impactful data.

The digital age presents battlefield communication specialists with a depth of valuable tools, as well as a few pitfalls that can hinder battlefield communication efforts.

The arrival of the digital age, along with the more recent advent of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, poses a unique challenge to experienced battlefield communication specialists, particularly those well-versed in legacy technology. Many distinct forms of communication technology have developed within the military’s various forces over several decades. These legacy technologies have developed independently of one another to suit the specific needs and requirements of their respective forces, and are often incompatible with one another.

This incompatibility can create serious challenges when it comes to sharing intelligence and information between different branches of the military, such as data exchanges with the United States Navy and the US Air Force. Overreliance on legacy technology leads to information siloes that, at best, significantly delay information exchanges, and, in more severe cases, can lead to costly mission failure.

Fortunately, the US Department of Defense has recognized and started working towards resolving communication issues caused by legacy technology, chiefly through the Joint All-Domain Command Control (JADC2) initiative. The primary objective of JADC2 involves enabling, coordinating, and streamlining fluid data sharing across all military services and domains. That said, the introduction of fully integrated communication systems represents a massive undertaking.

Legacy technologies relate to another issue impacting military communication networks: the rapid speed of technological advancements. The US military requires the most up-to-date communication technologies available, yet these technologies change seemingly every day. Staying abreast of technological advancements is not just a matter of providing communication specialists with the best tools, but maintaining a tactical edge over near-peer adversaries. Smartphones and drones represent two of the most rapidly evolving pieces of technology that contribute to tactical communications preparedness.

Of course, military forces must spend considerable money to keep up with evolving communication technology and to elevate legacy technologies. Budget constraints impact all military sectors, including tactical communications. Military leaders have somewhat alleviated budgetary concerns by using and iterating on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology.

Bandwidth availability represents another major challenge to all communication networks, not just those supporting tactical battlefield communications. For instance, the US Department of Agriculture estimates that over 22 percent of rural Americans lack access to adequate broadband, and nearly 20 million Americans cannot use high-speed internet services due to insufficient bandwidth. As the US population grows, demands on national bandwidth will only increase.

In battlefield scenarios, commanders and soldiers require sufficient bandwidth to quickly and reliably share huge quantities of data, ranging from live video feeds to high-definition sensor data. However, older technologies and pre-existing networks cannot always keep up with the military’s ever-expanding bandwidth needs, especially networks built several years ago, when standard data needs were much lower. Military leaders must expand bandwidth availability to ensure reliable intelligence data sharing.

About Michael Henry

Michael Henry is a seasoned communications professional and former Department of Defense (DOD) technical director based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He currently leads Industrial Communications Group (ICG), where he manages personnel, data integration, and long-term strategy development. A retired US Army communications officer, Mr. Henry’s 29-year military career included leadership in special operations communications, technology modernization, and multinational coordination efforts.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in managerial economics from the University of California, Davis, and a master’s degree in business administration from Embry Riddle University.

FAQs

What makes tactical battlefield communications so vital?

Effective communication ensures commanders can maintain control, share intelligence, and coordinate units in real time. Without it, missions risk failure due to confusion and lack of situational awareness.

Why are legacy communication systems a problem?

Legacy systems were developed independently by different branches of the military, making them incompatible. This fragmentation slows data sharing and can compromise mission outcomes.

What is the JADC2 initiative?

The Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) initiative is a Department of Defense effort to integrate communication and data systems across all military services for seamless information sharing.

How does rapid technological change affect battlefield communication?

New technologies evolve faster than traditional procurement cycles, forcing the military to constantly adapt. Staying updated helps maintain a tactical advantage over adversaries.

Why is bandwidth such a major challenge for the military?

Modern operations rely on transmitting large data volumes, from live video to sensor feeds. Limited bandwidth slows communication, reducing responsiveness in critical combat situations.