Cable Data Network for the MX-Missile System

The purpose of the Cable Data Network for the MX-Missile System is to provide secure, reliable, pre-attack data communications for the MX-Wing using a fiber optic cable network. Various network architectures were considered; of these, only four designs met all the system requirements. This paper discusses the studies undertaken to determine the network design which performed best in terms of preservation of location uncertainty, operational simplicity, cost-effectiveness and performance. A computerized simulation of the data communications flow within the MX-Wing was also undertaken, and it provided network performance predictions which aided in the decision to adopt one particular network design as the best alternative to implement the cable data network.