TOPIC NUMBER:  A03-113

TITLE: Terrain Aware Network Planning Tools


Q: Is the network planning tool something that is carried 
into battle?  Is it intended to be monotored full time by 
an individual? 

A: The Terrain Aware Planning Tool should be hosted on a mobile 
platform such as a laptop computer and carried into battle.  The 
Army is a highly mobile force today and will continue in the future 
to use evolving mobility doctrine such as that for Future Combat 
Systems in order to maneuver and gain advantage over opposing forces.  
The signal planners supporting the Warfighter's combat forces must, 
therefore, be as mobile as the Warfighter, and maintain contact 
with the Warfighter in battle in order to be available for planning 
contingency missions requirements as they arise.  The Terrain
Aware Planning Tool need not be continuously monitored, but must 
be available to the signal planner when required for contingency 
mission planning.