Since its inception in early 1997, the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) has evolved from a loosely associated group of radio replacement programs to an integrated effort to network multiple weapon system platforms and forward combat units where it matters most - at the last tactical mile. In 2005, JTRS was restructured under the leadership of a Joint Program Executive Officer headquartered in San Diego, California. JTRS is harnessing the power of the Global Information Grid (GIG) to help the warfighter achieve overall battlefield superiority.
By developing and implementing an open architecture of cutting-edge radio waveform technology, multiple radio types (e.g., handheld, ground-mobile, airborne, maritime) are now capable of communicating with one another. The ultimate goal is to produce a family of interoperable, modular, software-defined radios that operate as nodes in a network that provides secure wireless communication and networking services for mobile and fixed forces, consisting of U.S. Allies, joint and coalition partners, and in time, disaster response personnel.
The Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Enterprise develops and delivers interoperable, mobile ad-hoc, secure networking capability anywhere in the joint battle space to the warfighter. JTRS is developing and positioning products to meet stakeholder requirements by providing information sharing capabilities and interoperability to the warfighter, and enabling improved situational awareness and significant battlefield advantage through advanced Net-Centric Warfare.
The Importance of JTRS
JTRS is a foundational, integral part of the U.S. military’s ability to operate in a fully coordinated joint manner, connecting the entire battlefield to the Global Information Grid (GIG). JTRS allows all elements of the U.S. defense force to communicate and share information over a fully interoperable tactical radio system, helping to realize the full potential of net centric warfare as JTRS bridges “the last tactical mile.”
- JTRS is not just a radio replacement program; it implements Joint Net-Centric Warfare vision at the Tactical Edge – critical for Irregular Warfare and High-end Asymmetric Threats.
- Provides assured networking communications through the use of NSA-certified encryption systems.
- Vertically extends the ground and maritime networks
- The JTRS Enterprise Business model optimizes cost, schedule, and performance tradeoffs for the networking portfolio and maximizes the benefit to the warfighter for dollars spent.