Joint Network Node
Within the Land Warrior Network (LandWarNet) of the U.S. Army are both applications and connectivity facilities, both internal to field forces and connecting to higher command; the Joint Network Node (JNN) encompasses both architectural concepts and physical equipment for tying into LandWarNet. Part of the connectivity model involves the Joint Network Transport Capabilities - Spiral (JNTC-S) program of communications capabilities under constant "spiral develoment" improvement. The JNN is the part of JNTC-S that deals with tactical communications, as opposed to the intelligence communications of the TROJAN SPIRIT systems or the CSS-S for logistics.[1] It is an interim step in the migration toward the fully mobile WIN-T architecture.
The physical JNN system is a transportable set of shelters, vehicle-mounted equipment, and transit cases, to manage resources in a field network compatible with the structure consistent with the restructuring of the United States Army.It contains major subsystems:[2]
- Unit Hub Node, a set of three vehicle-mounted satellite earth stations
- Joint Network Node (JNN) shelter: the primary routing, switching, and network control equipment, at the division and Brigade Combat Team levels. It provides the gateways to the Global Information Grid, Defense Information System Network, Defense Switched Network, including NIPRNET and SIPRNET. It also connects to existing tactical networks such as MSE and TRI-TAC.
- Command Post Node (CPN), a set of transit cases that go into battalion, BCT and division headquarters
- Over-the-air communications using line-of-sight(LOS), beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS), and satellite radios and lasers.
JNN only operates through the SECRET level, but provides secure tunneling for JWICS nodes that do not use their own TROJAN SPIRIT earth stations. JWICS gives connectivity at the highest security levels.