Tactical Network Topology Sets Off Long-Range Experiments

BTF Integration Directorate Director Lisa Swan (being photographed) takes part in a multimodal biometric collection device demonstration at TNT.

Stepping into a new role as co-sponsor, the Biometrics Task Force has joined the Naval Post-graduate School of Monterey, Ca., in hosting the U.S. Special Operations Command quarterly cooperative field experiment venue known as Tactical Network Topology.  TNT is a simultaneous demonstration of new technologies between three locations:  Camp Dawson, W.Va., Camp Roberts, Ca., and Camp Atterbury, In.

TNT provides an experimentaion venue to support the near-term needs of the warfighter by evaluating and improving biometric capabilities and communication architectures used to collect, store, and transmit biometric data.  The series of quarterly field experiments is currently focused on technologies bridging the information gap in the “Last Tactical Mile,” headquarters to tactical units in remote locations.  Future experiments will build upon the lessons from the “Last Tactical Mile” experiments to develop new biometrics activities, some of which will be created by the BTF
Concepts & Technologies (C&T) Branch for inclusion in TNT.

The roots of the current TNT cooperative field experimentation program began in 2002 when the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) conducted experiments in a field environment to assess various technologies and concepts being used at the NPS.  Joint experimentation began when SOCOM personnel visited the NPS to leverage the faculty and its

A drive-up iris recognition system is part of a gate access experiment.

student expertise.  SOCOM and the NPS combined efforts, which eventually led to the creation of the TNT venue.  BTF involvement began in May of 2005, according to Jon Hayes, TNT’s biometrics project manager and part of the C&T Branch.  Hayes executes TNT experiments at Camp Dawson and leads  engineering projects related to TNT biometric experimentation.  His work at the BTF allows him to interface with various vendors and technologies to identify and evaluate new biometrics activities and initiatives for inclusion in TNT.

The BTF began hosting TNT experiments from Camp Dawson a year ago, focusing on biometrics and supporting technologies.  The C&T and the Technology Assessment and Standards Conformance (TASC) Branches have participated in TNT to support concept development, conduct technology assessments, and identify tactical capabilities and limitations in Special Operations Forces (SOF) biometric collection and matching processes as they exist today.

Pictured above is NAVAIR’s Communications and Special Projects Emergency Response (CASPER) vehicle.  The BTF will purchase a variant of this vehicle to enhance future exploration of biometric technologies and warfighting concepts.

Dr.  Gray and other members of the BTF leadership observed the May 08 TNT event, which was the largest yet at Camp Dawson. The disparate locations help test rapid identification efforts on wireless networks, unmanned or autonomous vehicles, sensor networks, situational awareness, net-centric applications, target tracking and identification, and biometric identification and verification.  Measures of performance for each of the demonstrated technologies are collected by Special Operations Forces operators, engineers and technicians.  Requirements gaps and technical shortfalls are then addressed and improvements are made for the next quarterly experiment.

Experimentation has included biometric technologies that: enable the collection of multimodal biometric data (face and iris) both covertly and overtly and from a stand-off location, collect iris images and provide location matching services, relate law enforcement tactics and systems to military scenarios, enhance latent fingerprint image collections, and showcase new and maturing biometric collection technologies.  The next TNT experiments will be August 17-22.