NPT: the tool for planning MSE networks

The network planning terminal (NPT) is a newly fielded system designed to provide battlefield spectrum management, network planning and management, communications engineering, and threat modeling for mobile subscriber equipment (MSE). It provides its users with a quick-response planning tool in today´s digitized battlefield environment. The first fielding of the NPT was completed in 1994. The NPT program is managed by the Project Manager, Joint Tactical Area Communications Systems. The development team included personnel from the Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis Center and the US Army Communications-Electronics Command. The NPT enables soldier/users to automatically configure and dynamically reconfigure an MSE network. It allows signal officers to more proficiently perform the required duties, reducing planning from days to hours, and replanning from hours to minutes. No longer must the soldier go through the painstaking, manual process of assigning communication assets or redefining the force structure