Emerging Tactical Wireless Testing

Richard Domondon

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Agenda

• Tactical Wireless• Push to Commercial Wireless• Tactical Wi-Fi & Mobile• Commercial Solution for Classified• Wi-Fi & Mobile Testing• MCTSSA’s Wireless Test Bed• Metrics• Our Mission• Where Industry Can Help

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Tactical WirelessMost Tactical wireless communications:

– Operate in Frequency bands that are restricted– Proprietary waveforms

Developed to be :– Resilient against jamming and spoofing– Quiet within frequency – Very Secure (proprietary encryption) – Equipment is hardened

Devices are developed to work only in these bands

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Push to Commercial Wireless

• Marines want to Use Commercial Devices– Tablets– Smartphones

• Why?– Faster– Modular (lightweight, fits in a pocket)

• Why Aren't we there yet?– Commercial Links (Wi-Fi & Mobile) are used by public– Tactical Networks are not ready to support

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Tactical Wi-Fi & Mobile

Pros:– Reduces setup time – Reduces footprint (network cables, heavy network hardware)– Enables usage of Mobile Devices (Tablets & Handhelds)– Convenience

Cons– Security Concerns– Increases RF signature on battlefield– Jamming/Spoofing/Interference– Range/Reliability

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Commercial Solutions for ClassifiedIf you going to use commercial wireless for Classified or Top Secret..

NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) Program:• Drafted in 2012 (updated yearly)• Releases Capability Packages for Wi-Fi, Mobile (Cellular), End User

Devices• Identifies approved hardware & software • Compliance/Configuration/Security Requirements (300+)

Doesn’t guaranteed that all components will work in harmony

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Wi-Fi & Mobile Testing

• Tactical Wi-Fi & Mobile (Cellular) solutions for Marine Corps are currently being developed and on the horizon

• MCTSSA will support any effort to evaluate these Access systems for the Program Offices

• Developed a Wireless Test Lab to support future systems– Tactical Wi-Fi – Tactical Mobile (Cellular) – Tactical Mobile Applications

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

MCTSSA’s Wireless test bed

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Wireless test bed cont.

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Metrics

• Coverage: The range of a wireless link to reliably connect devices.

• Capacity: The amount of data from device endpoints an AP can simultaneously serve.

• Coexistence: The ability of a wireless technology to coexist with other devices that can cause significant and dynamic interference.

• Throughput: Amount of data moved successfully from one place to another in a given time period, and typically measured in bits

• Security: The ability of a wireless system to resist malicious attacks from cyber criminals.

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Our Mission• Evaluate Interoperability and integration issues of emerging Access systems (Wi-

Fi & Mobile) in lab and tactical environment

• Optimize emerging Tactical Wireless Access Systems (Wi-Fi and Mobile)

• Test and Certify Tactical Wireless Access Systems against Marine Corps mission requirements

• Support stakeholders to reduce risk at an acceptable level.

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Where industry can help

Personnel with- Expertise testing Wi-Fi and Mobile (Cellular) networks- Obtain NSA’s CsFC compliance- Expertise in latest Wireless Test tools- Maintenance of Wireless Lab

Improve test strategy- Enhance methodology to provide repeatable and consistent metrics- Optimize Testing during Test Events

Expand Lab - Support Tactical Mobile (4G/5G)- Multi Enclave Wi-Fi

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.