Internet technology to make FAST air combat improvement Published April 4, 2006 By 1st Lt. Stephen Fox Electronic Systems Center Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- An Electronic Systems Center capability, demonstrated in a proof-of-concept flight March 29 at Eglin AFB, Fla., could translate into more effective information sharing and better overall situational awareness. The effort known as Flexible Access Secure Transfer, or FAST, a technology concept managed by ESC's Global Information Grid Systems Group, delivers critical near-term operational benefits. "Through it, pilots could use imagery and video for positive target identification and battle damage assessment. That means more accurate and more timely targeting for the warfighter," said Lt. Col. Gary Zimmerman, Tactical Data Network Division director. With FAST, aircraft equipped with Link 16 capability may soon have improved access to the airborne network and more up-to-date decision making information. FAST is a waveform that enhances existing Link-16 data link technology to allow greater data capacity while adding Internet Protocol connectivity for older platforms. It improves information exchange capabilities between various nodes in a network using IP connectivity. That functionality was successfully demonstrated last week by the 46th Test Squadron at Eglin using a four-node network: an F-15, a King Air and two ground stations. Several functions made possible through the IP connection were tested during the demonstration. FAST allowed the King Air, acting as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance asset, to send streaming video to the ground stations. It also enabled the F-15 with modified Link 16 radios to receive images from the ground stations. Finally, the joint team demonstrated a relay of images from a ground station to the King Air through the F-15. The waveform will also allow warfighters to perform missions that require a free flow of information and live updates to tasking orders and flight plans without pre-mission planning. "FAST is an evolutionary approach for moving current capabilities closer to network-centric combat operations while we await the development of other technologies," said Col. Anita Latin, commander of the Global Information Grid Systems Group. The upgrade would include only minor hardware and software adjustments with minimal integration impact on platforms. The FAST team, which includes various members of the test and contractor communities, including MITRE, will analyze the data gathered during the demonstration to assess the possibility of upgrading over 2000 platforms with the capability. The outcome of the analysis will be a key component in determining a fielding decision.