CAPT Jack Virtue, a seasoned signals officer with extensive combat experience, dives into the fascinating world of tactical communications. He explains the critical role of combat net radios and the importance of specialized training in complex environments. Topics covered include the differences between line-of-sight and beyond line-of-sight communications, challenges posed by terrain and weather, and the nuances of satellite communication reliability. Virtue's insights highlight the necessity of PACE plans for effective communication during military operations.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Missing Antenna = No Comms
A patrol leader once tried to establish comms with HQ but found the radio antenna missing on their vehicle, hindering transmission.
This shows how small oversights can critically impact communications in the field.
insights INSIGHT
Voice vs Data Trade-offs
Voice communications are time sensitive but noisy and easier to detect.
Data transmissions reduce signature and convey richer info like images and text in packets.
insights INSIGHT
Line of Sight Comms Limitations
VHF and UHF radios are very reliable under line-of-sight conditions and clear terrain.
Terrain like mountains or dense foliage can block line of sight, forcing use of more complex BLOS options.
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‘There are a number of things to [jamming] and I don’t think we necessarily train it well because it’s a very complex concept.’ In this week’s episode, we talk all things tactical communications or more specifically the options available to communicate within a combat brigade. Our guest this week – CAPT Jack Virtue – has been the signals officer for a combat signals regiment, a combat engineer regiment and an artillery regiment all within a combat brigade. He has also been a communications planner for rotary wing attack aviation and has just finished a posting to the Joint Data Network Unit, integrating Army, Navy and Air Force assets into the joint fight.
Combat net radios remain the primary means of transmitting information in a brigade. Any planner needs to understand, integrate and monitor the development and establishment of tactical communications. Terrain, weather, distance, dispersion and even whether it is night or day can have an impact on how easy it is to establish and maintain communications. For ease of understanding, the backbone of brigade and below communications can be separated into line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond line-of-sight options (BLOS). LOS options include Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) bands which are both relatively easy to operate; however, can be constrained by terrain conditions and only reach longer distances by using retransmission. BLOS options include High Frequency (HF) and Satellite Communications (SATCOM) which can reach far greater distances; however, can be more difficult to use and in the case of SATCOM can be disrupted or denied.
Communications proficiency is a perishable skill, and it is paramount to conduct regular training and Command Post Exercises (CPX) well before the time comes to run it live. Like weapon drills, CAPT Virtue argues that if you do not maintain hands on with the equipment and the theory behind communications, you’ll lose the competency that is so hard fought for. This episode sets the preconditions for a future episode with the Commanding Officer of the 1st Armoured Regiment on combat experimentation and a future episode on machine learning in command posts and jamming.
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