Information Warfare: First True Battlefield Internet Used

Archives

December8, 2006: The U.S. Army conducted its first successful test of CNRS (Communications Network Radio System.) This is basically battlefield wi-fi, which supplies everyone on the network, including infantry, with access to a common network. The test used Stryker armored vehicles, which already have a pretty heavy duty commo setup, and radio equipped infantry. Taking a cue from the Internet, CNRS is self-forming and self-healing. That means, every user who logs on to the net, can serve as an access point for anyone within range. This is called a MESH network, and is being used to establish wi-fi over a large area, for things like municipal wi-fi. The military is taking a lot of civilian Internet technology, adding some security (encryption) and making it a bit more robust, so it can handle battlefield use.

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close