Integration of wireless technology in the Defense Information System Network (DISN)

As the Department of Defense (DoD) lead agency for wireless systems/services, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) has been involved in multiple wireless activities, with concentration in the areas of medical, mobile workplace, and warfighter applications. The DISA´s wireless activities include analysis of various commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) wireless services and products, assessment of their applicability to the DoD, and demonstrations and trials to potential DoD customers. A brief description of COTS wireless services/products that were evaluated is provided. The DISA´s wireless trials such as wireless voice communications in a military hospital, and wireless electronic mail (e-mail) and paging trials in support of the mobile workplace are discussed. A description of current and planned trials, which focus on the needs of the warfighter and include adding encryption to the wireless e-mail trial and extending this capability to the tactical community using high frequency (HF) or satellite communication, is also provided. Finally, possible approaches for the integration of COTS wireless services/products in the Defense Information System Network (DISN) are discussed