Story Courtesy of the U.S. Navy and Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) personnel provided Electronic Warfare and Electromagnetic Spectrum collection support to the Bold Quest 2012 exercise at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center on June 12-13.
NSWC Crane’s participation in the event was a result of an approved Rapid Experimentation project supported by Research and Development funding authorized by Section 219 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417) which established the Naval Innovative Science and Engineering Program (NISE).
NSWC Crane utilized the opportunity to expand research of Computer Network Operations (CNO) to leverage the Science and Technology Opportunity Artificial Environment for Experimentation, meshing CNO with Digital and Cognitive Radio, including Spectrum Management and Electronic Warfare. NSWC Crane personnel conducted data collection of wireless (Link-16 and UAS) networks in order to examine data flow, protocols, users, operations and topology to conduct an initial reconnaissance of the Bold Quest network environment.
Bold Quest 2012, a Joint Staff led exercise with over 400 personnel participating from 11 countries, focused on Combat Identification (CID) interoperability issues associated with digitally aided close air support, and the technologies, tactics, techniques and procedures relevant to varied ground and air sources of fires. NSWC Crane collected signals of interest that will be used to help develop a plan to participate in future Bold Quest exercises. NSWC Crane played an important role in assuring Joint Staff programs that the cyber technologies supporting the Bold Quest mission will be prepared for in- theater operations.
"The current warfighting environment is saturated with electromagnetic spectrum activity," stated Erika White, Joint Mission Office Director for Electronic Warfare. "NSWC Crane's involvement in this event strengthens our EW capability by being able to capture real-time data in a realistic combat environment during the exercise."
In addition to being able to capture the data necessary concerning the cyber reconnaissance and observation of Link-16 and UAS data communications, the report to the Joint Staff will reflect contingency planning for the next event that could include conducting cyber penetration and attack techniques.
NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with focus areas in Special Mission, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare/Information Operations. The Warfare Center’s research and development efforts support the Warfighter by providing capabilities and resources to advance technologies for the military.
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