New radio technology keeps troops in touch

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Melissa Koskovich
  • U.S. Central Command Air Forces-Forward public affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Riding as part of a convoy escort team outside the wire, the Airman feels alone. Feeling nervous, he keys his radio mic to check in with his base -- and hears nothing but dead air. 

To ensure scenarios like this don’t occur, the Air Force is leading a joint implementation of a new “Radio over Internet Protocol Routed network” communication system, known as the RIPRnet. 

“With the RIPRnet we have tied convoy radios in with Internet-based technology to extend their range,” said Col. Greg Touhill, U.S. Central Command Air Forces-Forward communications director at the Combined Air Operations Center. “This system provides more reliable and robust communications for our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who are out on the roads of Iraq.” 

Better communications could make the difference between life and death for troops in Iraq, but that is not the only benefit of the RIPRnet. Other applications include use for air defense and command and control of close-air-support missions. 

For example, in the air defense mission, the RIPRnet allows the Combined Forces Air Component commander to communicate by radio directly with aircraft flying over Iraq, Colonel Touhill said. 

“The commander doesn’t have a lot of time to react to a threat, such as a hostile or suspicious aircraft -- time past could mean lives lost,” he said. “This technology expands his view of the battlefield and allows him to have real-time information, helping him make the right decision quickly.” 

In addition, the RIPRnet frees resources previously tied up supplementing radio coverage, including those used operating remote radio relay points throughout Iraq to support convoy communications. 

“In an effort to complement our convoy communications, the Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System aircraft provide supplemental radio coverage throughout Iraq,” Colonel Touhill said. “But, JSTARs can’t be everywhere, and other factors could limit its availability to conduct radio relay missions.” 

Because of this, coalition communicators designed the RIPRnet to provide robust communications coverage along the roads of Iraq. 

Full installation of the RIPRnet, scheduled for completion this year, will allow approximately 200 Soldiers currently manning radio relay stations, to return behind protected walls. 

“These soldiers are literally out in the middle of nowhere. Getting them out of harm's way is another great benefit of this system,” said Maj. Bob Sylvester, operations officer in charge of fielding the capability in Iraq. 

In addition, the RIPRnet will allow JSTARS aircraft to concentrate on their primary mission: using moving target indicator radar to track and manage the ground battlespace. 

“They’ll still be monitoring the convoy nets, but they’ll be doing it from orbit points where they can better provide surveillance of key targets,” Colonel Touhill said. 

Seeking a better way to support both the convoy communications and surveillance missions, the CFAC commander decided to field this technology. A coalition communications team working out of the CAOC led the effort. The project is similar to systems used by U.S. Border and Customs authorities and for homeland security purposes. 

“We had a road map for this technology, so we decided to leverage it to solve this operational problem,” Colonel Touhill said. “The joy of this system is that it rolls in on the existing infrastructure. The same infrastructure we use to provide Internet and radio services is used to bring this capability to the warfighter.” 

Colonel Touhill added that the system’s console uses the same technology as desktop computers. No specialized training is required to use it. 

“We’ve already done testing in one part of Iraq with great results,” he said. “The field units tell us it’s an awesome capability that gives them reliable radio coverage 24/7. They can’t get it fast enough.” 

Capt. Rob Ault, chief engineer for the RIPRnet project, recently traveled to Iraq to do a site survey for the system installation. 

“During my trip, I rode on one of the convoys,” Captain Ault said. “I told the troops running the operation about the RIPRnet, and they were very anxious to see it happen.” 

Captain Ault said that being outside of a protected base makes a person feel isolated. 

“The troops who run these missions deserve the reliable communication that the RIPRnet provides. They deserve someone on the other end of the mic when they key it up,” he said. “They want to know that they have a better chance of getting home to their families.”