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8 "NOWA TECHNIKA WOJSKOWA" - 2/2012 COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATICS The article is the voice in the discussion on possibilities of data communication solutions integration used in Polish uniformed services subordinate to the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of the Interior into one common platform, that will allow their cooperation while carrying out the tasks connected with crisis management (based on the TELDAT s company from Bydgoszcz original solution HMS Web Portal, as part of network centric data communication platform JASMINE). These are the author s own interpretations and conclusions based on the symposium on: Data communication systems in crisis management organized three weeks ago by the Institute of Data Communication Systems of the Army Institute of Management and Command Faculty at the National Defense University of Warsaw. Bartosz Biernacik OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES The development of IT technology, communications and data communication allows nowadays the realization of undertakings that not long ago would seem to have been a pure fantasy. The new, rare ways of using most up-to-date data communication solutions are to be found almost in every sphere of our lives. One can mention countless examples of intelligent devices, such as: three-dimensional printers, 3D TV with access to Internet, refrigerators ordering missing products for themselves, intelligent houses systems, systems supporting taking decisions, etc. It certainly translates into a completely new quality in the area of communication. The common purpose of majority of the newest solutions is free information exchange, which are the greatest value and the reason of creating such a great number of solutions. Ensuring current information (presented in an adequate and required at a particular time way) at a right time and place without interruptions seems to be easy only in theory. Practice proves difficulty of such a task and only few solutions currently offered on the market are able to fulfill all or most of the demanded requirements. On January 11 th, 2012 at the National Defense University of Warsaw the symposium on: Data communication systems in crisis management was held. It was organized by the Institute of Data Communication Systems of the Army Institute. During the seminar many interesting subjects were raised. The main subject matter was the integration of data communication solutions of individual uniformed services into one common, coherent platform allowing cooperation of the Police, State Fire Service, Life- Saving Service, Border Guard and Polish Army in order to fulfill crisis management requirements. It is of great importance as the international mass event Euro 2012, organized for the first time on such a large scale in Poland is approaching fast. Among the issues discussed at the symposium there is one worth mentioning, namely, a very promising tool called HMS (Headquarters Management System) made last year as a WebPortal version based on Microsoft SharePoint Platform. OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES 1

9 "NOWA TECHNIKA WOJSKOWA" - 2/2012 Network Centric Data Communication Platform JASMINE JASMINE includes both software and equipment solutions. It assures equipment platform for the communication command systems exploitation, among others the C3IS JASMINE (Command Support System), which is one of the JASMINE s main program components. It allows battlefield management and successful operations on an operational and tactical scale. It can be achieved through the troop s increased situational awareness and improved effectiveness of their actions, the use of equipment as well as fast information collection and transmission of all the elements of the military unit. It ensures multiservice data, voice and picture exchange starting from the single soldier up to position and command points in local and extended networks. It is scalable and allows operating from 200 to 600 (depending on equipment version) end terminals, for instance the computers on the command posts in the users workplace. It delivers data transmission service, VoiP telephones and IP videotransmission and the possibility of integration with field and stationary ISDN telephone systems. It ensures the development of a few separate data communication networks on a one single command post as well as data communication networks development through the use of modern technological solutions (among others, fiber-optic and twisted pair cables). It also simplifies and reduces wire system on field posts and command points. Moreover, by offering the possibility of carrying out greater number of high quality service and functions to the user it makes the infrastructure of data communication stations, command points, combat vehicles and the soldier himself more modern, lighter, mobile and less expensive. HMS WEB PORTAL HUGE POSSIBILITIES AT THE MINIMAL POSSIBLE REQUIREMENTS HMS Web Portal is the element of Network Centric Data Communication Platform JASMINE and is its expanded version (for barely two years, since the author has had the possibility of working with the tool). The main feature of this solution is its capability to integrate various systems used by different kind of uniformed services. In order to use it one simply needs a browser and access to the Internet (or other Web that allows data transmission). Neither operational system nor available equipment constitutes a barrier to its usage. It is therefore an excellent tool that allows lowering the requirements and reducing costs of adjusting the operators work posts to operate in the system. At the same time it allows the operators to work in different situations and often use different technological means (for instance, PDA, smart phones, notebooks or stationary computers) as well as different means of data exchange (radio or wire). The Microsoft Share Point platform application in HMS Web Portal solution allows the particular operators to have access to information needed and carry out tasks resulting from their duties, regardless services they represent (whether it s the Army, the Police, etc.). The tool is well known worldwide. It is gaining popularity in Poland and more and more national companies are using the platform in their OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES 2

10 "NOWA TECHNIKA WOJSKOWA" - 2/2012 activities, for example: the Polish Armed Forces use it in, among others: WAN net, ACN and WZiD as intranet). The SharePoint Platform key functions are, among others: standardized access to information (the benefits are facilitated cooperation and increased decision making possibilities of the work groups); automatic confirmations (the benefits are automatic confirmations that reach the users and inform them of the changes on pages and previously defined by them documents); personalization of the users settings (the benefit is a range of information adjusted to the needs within the limitations established by IT and the way of its presenting, increasing comfort and work effectiveness); personal and public view of documents, information and applications (the benefit is increased intranet usefulness); integration with Microsoft applications (the benefit is common use of MS Office solutions allowing increasing intranet usefulness); adjusting intranet function to the Web Parts without the need of programming (the benefit is that Web Parts make the adjusting possible Share Point settings personalization by the user without any knowledge of programming); integration of various data bases and applications, including other companies applications and specialist systems (the benefit is that every sort of the uniformed services can still benefit from the applied solution without bearing the costs of purchase of the new systems); delivering content and making applications available, including the users roles, distribution lists, hierarchy and other criteria (the benefit is data security assurance by establishing rules of access to data on the program platform level). SharePoint Platform ensures, among others: effective management and change of destination on information resources; shorter course of internal and external business processes that require cooperation; cooperation of information resources within organization and outside it; using one integrated internet, intranet and extranet application management platform. OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES 3

11 "NOWA TECHNIKA WOJSKOWA" - 2/2012 C3SI JASMINE REALIZING THE PRINCIPLES OF NNEC PROGRAMME The second element of HMS Web Portal is C3IS JASMINE System. According to the author it is the newest and the most advanced solution in support of commanders operations at war and during crises. The tool allows getting common image of operational situation (Common Operational Picture COP) that has been widely discussed recently. In reality, however there are only few solutions possible to achieve it. The author s research and direct observations prove the tool to allow automatization of the whole command process realized by the Polish Armed Forces. Moreover, it allows large savings during its individual phases. What needs to be emphasized is the automatization of determining the position phase, which can take place almost automatically (without the operators) thanks to C3IS JASMINE. It can be done by using a wide range of standards in the system in accordance with NNEC program (NATO Network Enabled Capabilities) and the tool s structure based on SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) as well as the system s producer original solutions (the only program-equipment solution), which assure its work according to the rule that it is the command system supports the operator. Additionally, the control phase has been simplified and thanks to applied solutions it is more easier to be realized (all system users dispose of the same amount of information on their own and the enemy s army; the enemy s army location data and resources is transmitted in a real or near to real time automatically). The automatization of determining the position and control allows the troops information share of all the authorized users of the system. Data presentation can take place using various dedicated solutions, depending on the command level. Some further works concerning the development of system functionality arising from the planning phase are now in progress, though the systems current capabilities in this area allow its use up to the brigade level 1.8 version (starting from dismounted soldier). The author states that in the year 2010 the battalion level was represented by 1.3 versions. Some specialist tools that allow carrying out the activities arising from the planning phase and its further stages are being added to the consecutive versions. At present, it is possible to analyze tasks and geographical conditions, such as the lie of the land, flood land or determining visibility. It is also possible to analyze the operation variants, formalized documents resulting from command process (such as plans and orders) and others, (not mentioned by the author on account of nature of this article). It should be emphasized that nowadays there is a chance of using JASMINE on levels higher than the brigade level, mainly in order to create common situational picture within coalition operations. One can use examples of NATO Combined Endeavour exercises ( editions), where JASMINE combined 20 systems from different countries and was used on the corps and division levels. One surely needs to be aware of the task setting phase currently realized using C3IS JASMINE. The commander is not obliged to leave his post thanks to the possibility of setting the task to the subordinate units in many different ways, for instance, by the use of videoconference (based on JASMINE Platform, which requires neither additional program nor equipment solutions) or tactical chat (to find more about C3IS JASMINE go to Nowa Technika Wojskowa 12/2011). OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES 4

12 "NOWA TECHNIKA WOJSKOWA" - 2/2012 The proposed solutions (common services that fulfill NATO standards described in NNEC and various end applications) allow the command support systems integration and are used in Polish Army and NATO countries. Numerous tests conducted during national and international exercises as well as high C3IS JASMINE system capabilities appraisal made by its operators and S/G6 communications and informatics specialists responsible for its preparation, starting, functioning and data archive confirm that. The main variants of C3IS JASMINE system are: 1. DSS CLIENT (Dismounted Soldier System) it s T4 terminal application dedicated to soldier level; 2. BMS CLIENT (Battlefield Management System) dedicated client application adapted to be used in mobile command systems on a tactical level, taking into account radio communications; the user s interface was adjusted to operate combat vehicles software; 3. HMS CLIENT (Headquarters Management System) dedicated client application in HMS system destined for tactical and operational levels to be used mainly on stationary command points; 4. HMS Web Portal dedicated Web application adapted to be used in WWW browsers. IS THE INTEGRATION OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES TECHNICALLY POSSIBLE? Basing on the solutions described here above and according to the author there is a good chance of integrating, if need be different kinds of uniformed services, both the national ones as well as the allies. The HMS Portal can constitute a sort of family gate allowing access to information coming from various sources: military systems, the Police, the State Fire Service, the Border Guard and others necessary to carry out tasks arising from crisis management at its particular stages. Thanks to its structure the HMS System allows to operate the command support systems and their integration with the systems of combat centers management. The SharePoint Platform, on the other hand allows their access to the users, who are outside the system (other uniformed services) in a flexible and adjustable way, depending on the situation (it is possible to form task groups composed of different uniformed services representatives to carry out particular tasks in case there is an attempt of preventing it or, once it has happened). The SharePoint functionality is enriched by C3IS JASMINE System offer and can constitute its entry for the outside users. It can operate the same way as it currently does in case of C3IS JASMINE Command Support System (in its DSS, BMS and HMS variants) during NATO and national military exercises. C3IS JASMINE can be a successful integrator of various other systems and allow their data exchange. In this way it becomes a decisive element when it comes to cooperation of other systems (in the area of possible data exchange of different data standards, for instance: MIP Baseline 2 and 1, that didn t even cross the designers minds; primarily those standards were not to exchange data and in case of JASMINE it is possible and often used in practice). As far as NATO exercises are concerned these are the most often command support systems of particular allied countries. In the country, apart from integration OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES 5

13 "NOWA TECHNIKA WOJSKOWA" - 2/2012 of the command support systems (although in this case there aren t many solutions for integration) C3IS JASMINE allows integration of combat centers management systems (Dunaj, Łowcza - Rega, Topaz). HMS WEB PORTAL FUNCTIONAL MODULES Apart from the above mentioned capabilities resulting from SharePoint Platform application the HMS Portal consists of a couple of functional modules in conformity with the staffs structure. The G/S1 personal issue module allows: adding, editing and deleting the users; keeping military records and troops condition; keeping records of personal loss; keeping records of the prisoners of war. The module is based on TELDAT s data base: TELDAT Battlefield Directory, closely integrated with HMS C3IS JASMINE System. The base stores data on troops personal condition, equipment, weapon, (combat vehicles, ships, air craft, etc.) resulting from the command support system to meet the army s needs. The experience gained from various exercises proves that, there is no technical obstacle as to additionally store information coming from other uniformed services or separate data bases of individual services (thanks to data exchange mechanisms implemented in SharePoint, for instance and in C3IS JASMINE data exchange standards). Therefore, there are no limitations for them to exchange data in the area necessary to carry out the tasks. This particular kind of cooperation using Web Portal would give access to various resources regardless of the base they are recorded in (be it the Police base, the Armed Forces base or any other one), given the necessary qualifications. The G/S3 operational module ensures, among others: work coordination process support of all the staffs organizational units; drawing up documents connected with ensuring permanent military readiness; access to data on current situation situational map; preparation of tactical and operational calculations; drawing up military orders and directives; organizing post and command points, operational data change planning; reporting current situation; data collection and reporting meteorological and hydrological conditions; OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES 6

14 "NOWA TECHNIKA WOJSKOWA" - 2/2012 data collection and reporting contamination and poisoning; delivering maps and other topographical documents; keeping military action diary, including oral commands recording (apart from automatic entries, the entries coming from other sources are possible); quick search of objects according to given criteria and performing the: find on the map or display detailed features function on a chosen object. Within the operational module it is possible to have access to JCOP Client (Joint Common Operational Picture) application. The application itself is the embedded element of HMS Web Portal, allowing integration of the two products. Thanks to the HMS Web Portal it is possible to move directly to chosen location and start JCOP Client within the portal or in the separate window. The JCOP Client allows an insight into the Common Operational Picture of the situation. The JCOP additionally gives an image of data coming from other sources (other systems) according to JASMINE Platform data exchange standards (among others: ADatP-3 in different versions, NFFI, MIP MEM, MIP DEM B.2 and 3, and others). The next is the G/S5 planning module. Its main functions are the support of the operation planning process, tactical operations and crisis management. The planning module allows creating documents resulting from the tasks carried out by the particular uniformed services (assigning realization of its particular parts to selected units and operators). The drawing up of documents starts with choosing the stencil and its edition. In case there is no appropriate stencil it is possible to draw it from the scratch. In this way there is no need of specialists, such as system administrators, tool producers or computer specialists to prepare the necessary documents. Moreover, it should be emphasized that thanks to Web browser it is possible to have access to the drawn up documents (for instance MS Word) without installing appropriate applications in the operator s computer (not until their edition). SUMMARY The HMS Web Portal is the first possible step to technically integrate different uniformed services. It is strongly believed that thanks to the C3IS JASMINE System quick development and the entire JASMINE Platform there are soon going to be developed client applications versions dedicated to particular uniformed services (military symbols can be easily replaced by the Medical Corps, the Police, the Border Guard symbols, etc). Additionally, the mechanisms allowing automatization of information collection on current situation, action planning, tasks assignment and their control (position, resources and alarms) are easy to be adapted by the uniformed services. Let us hope that by investing in a wide range of native solutions and promoting our domestic technical ideas the government bodies and decision makers will regard more favorably the proposed current army solutions and be able to vision them as a common platform dedicated to uniformed services. The producer of C3IS JASMINE software needs to be supported before he decides to reply to the foreign clients demands. OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES 7

15 representatives: "NOWA TECHNIKA WOJSKOWA" - 2/2012 The HMS Web Portal structure creates environment allowing users the uniformed services common interface allowing cooperation conforming to their expectations; access to current information irrespective of its source (whether it s data coming from the Police data bases, the State Fire Service or other uniformed services) the aim is to separate the information from the system so that one makes use of it regardless of the system it was generated in; operating on current data with the documents accurate version; integration of different data sources. The main problem as far as the integration of the uniformed services is concerned, apart from technical solutions is the legal barrier. The issue was equally addressed during the seminar. At present, there are no statutory powers that would allow information exchange of different uniformed services, although it is technically possible. Therefore, it will be appropriate if the legislator gives it priority. It will be beneficial not only from the army s point of view but also from the point of view of the units subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior. It is all the more important as, in the near future there are plans of further C3IS JASMINE use in its developed and highly advanced versions during the undertakings realized by the Army. Pictures: TELDAT, AON, author. OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES 8