Tactical Computer System for The British Army

The Challenge

The British Army had adopted a computing structure from the ACE Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), known as the Interim ARRC Information System (IARRCIS), that it needed to enhance. The aim was to turn this into an Army Tactical Computer System (ATacCS) as part of Digitisation Stage 1 (DS1) in preparation for the Command and Battlespace Management (Land) initiative. EDS, the leading systems integrator, was appointed to manage the development of ATacCS.

Based on the Windows NT 4.0 operating system, ATacCS was to provide a set of integrated tools that would enable operators to deploy an X.500 directory-enabled Local Area Network (LAN) as part of a larger Wide Area Network (WAN). It would provide an X.400/P772 Military Message Handling System (MMHS) and connect through gateways to other systems, including the Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS) and products from Oracle and BAE Systems.

EDS selected Nexor to provide the message handling products needed to meet a stringent set of requirements for the MMHS:

• Interoperability with many other military messaging systems, enforcing different security requirements for each connection if necessary
• A role-based approach to user management and messaging, by which a user may have multiple roles or a role may be staffed by multiple users
• Correct delivery of messages to logical command roles, even when command alternates between physical headquarters and staffs migrate between sites
• A flexible system topology to enable LANs to be rebuilt for each deployment, reflecting the tactical nature of ATacCS
• Support for LANs that:
  • Are geographically separate and linked by low-bandwidth connections (typically 32–64 kbps)
  • Cannot be contacted at times, for example when communication links are broken or equipment is in transit
  • Have been logically or physically reconfigured to reflect users' affiliations.

The Nexor Solution

Nexor supplied the messaging and directory components from its range of standards-conformant commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products:

• Defender for Outlook to extend the functionality of Microsoft Outlook, providing easy connection to X.400 environments and directory services
• Directory for an object-oriented database management system, supporting X.500 directory service agents
• Mailer for transferring messages between X.400 message transfer agents and as a message store servicing a number of user agents
• Overseer to ensure that recipients deal with messages in a timely manner, generating alerts when messages reach unattended mailboxes and redirecting unread messages in accordance with configured parameters
• Personal Battlespace Messaging System for a self-contained, single-user messaging solution robust enough for use in the battlespace.

The Result

ATacCS provides the Army with a command and control system for use in and out of barracks, across the whole battlespace. It exploits new technologies and yet still reaps the benefits of proven commercial off-the-shelf products, including shorter development times and lower risk of failure. It represents a high-value, up-to-date technical solution that meets all the stated requirements and delivers:

• Seamless operation for staff officers, through identical user interfaces whether working from a tent, vehicle or barracks
• Protection to the Secret High classification level used by the UK and NATO
• A choice of modes, either portable and stand-alone or part of rugged fibre-optic Ethernet LANs for up to 1922 users.

ATacCS has been deployed in Bosnia and Kosovo and has significantly enhanced EDS’s reputation for delivering the resilient battlefield systems and infrastructures that are needed for military operations.