Raytheon has unveiled a new vision for conducting network-centric operations that seeks to elevate the company's role from bystander to power-broker in an emerging and increasingly lucrative market sector. Raytheon has quietly briefed US and coalition military officials about its newly patented and trademarked "system of elements" model over the past several months, but is now launching an aggressive public-awareness campaign to boost its profile.
The strategy caters to Raytheon's strengths by shifting the definition of a battlefield network from a group of systems - such as aircraft - to a group of "elements". defined as the individual weapons, sensors, communications links and command and control systems on board each platform. The current model is focused on using a range of Raytheon products, but the company believes the conceptual shift holds broad implications for industry as a whole.
If supported by military users, the "system of elements" model would give rise to a new class of contractors. Mission solution integrators would piece together ad hoc networks on an as-needed basis, partially supplanting the role of current lead systems integrators that bring together platforms, such as aircraft and land vehicles into a "systems of systems". The system of elements model is the brainchild of Tom Flynn, Raytheon's director of strategic initiatives, and is also being championed by the company's chief executive, Bill Swanson.
Raytheon's strategy, however, would require the creation of a network that can connect individual elements of a larger system - a capability that is not envisaged by core networking technologies such as the USA's future Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS). However, Flynn says that "there is nothing [in the JTRS architecture] that is going to preclude us from taking that next step."
Dean Cash, Raytheon's director of joint concept and development, says the company is to establish a new concept design centre, with this to stand up later this year dedicated to addressing the command and control challenges associated with the "system of elements" concept. The network-centric integration and engineering centre will be a virtual laboratory connecting Raytheon's engineering staffs across the USA, the company says.
STEPHEN TRIMBLE / WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International