Aerial networking capability gets lethal upgrade

  • Published
  • By Richard Blumenstein
  • DAF PEO C3BM Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass., --  An Air Force aerial networking capability being developed to support the DAF BATTLE NETWORK has achieved a significant milestone in enhancing its lethality.
 
Phalanx Griffon is an advanced, open architecture, aerial networking system of systems in development meant to provide aircrews and commanders with mission-critical data when they need it most, in real time.
 
Airmen, government civilians, and contractors with the Advanced Battle Management System Division’s Airborne Connectivity Branch have been working to deliver the first operational iteration of Phalanx Griffon through the development of the Janus Program.
 
“Janus represents the first operational implementation of the Phalanx Griffon architecture on our platforms,” said David Josephson, lead Janus program manager. “It is a solution that is composed of various vendors and government-developed solutions, collectively integrated in a standardized architecture to enable seamless connectivity with the DAF BATTLE NETWORK, ensuring our forces maintain a decisive edge in the battlespace.”
 
Phalanx Griffon provides advanced communication capabilities, including advanced integration between tactical data links and the secure transfer of information across multiple security levels.
 
“It introduces an aerial-layer architecture that delivers real-time, cross-domain data routing and secure communications to all airborne platforms through hardware and software standardization, enabling the DBN strategy within the Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control framework,” Josephson said.
 
Janus is currently being developed to enable Phalanx Griffon’s use on platforms such as tactical fighter aircraft. It creates a standardized hardware approach accelerating delivery of airborne multi-level security processing capabilities. Janus is designed for economy-at-scale and will be leveraged across multiple platforms following operational testing, according to Josephson.
 
“Janus is the piece of equipment, the hardware and software architecture, that goes on the weapon system and allows it to connect back to the DBN ecosystem,” Josephson said. “Janus is going to be driving missions forward by streamlining connectivity and interoperability, enabling dynamic multi-domain command and control, enhancing operational flexibility, and delivering decision making superiority. All while allowing each major command to leverage a common design across aircraft, enabling CJADC2 and moving data where it needs to go across the ecosystem for faster decision making and closing kill chains, which will save lives."
 
The Department of the Air Force Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management leads the ABMS division, and manages the DAF BATTLE NETWORK, which aims to connect sensors, effectors, and logistics systems to provide enhanced situational awareness and decision-making.
 
“ABMS is focused on rapid capability development so that we can deliver products our warfighters need now,” said Col. Bai Lan Zhu, ABMS senior materiel leader. “The Janus Program represents major progress for our promise to deliver capability so our warfighters can be ready to ‘fight tonight.’”