Description

Tactical Communications for the Digitized Battlefield by M. J. Ryan (co-authored with Michael R. Frater) — ISBN 9781580533232 — is a technical engineering and military communications reference focused on modern battlefield networking and tactical communications systems. This book examines the challenges of adapting traditional battlefield communications—which historically involved separate, often incompatible systems—to meet the demands of 21st-century, information-rich operations. It presents an architectural framework for integrating diverse technologies (such as satellite, cellular, and dedicated military systems) into a cohesive communications network capable of supporting real-time data sharing across the battlespace. Key topics include: The need for a unified communications architecture that balances range, mobility, and data capacity. Analyses of communications technologies and subsystems (e.g., tactical trunk networks, combat radios, airborne links, and data distribution). Practical techniques for upgrading existing systems and assessing potential solutions for digitized battlefield requirements. Overall, it’s intended as a professional resource for defense communications engineers, systems architects, and military planners involved with developing or modernizing tactical communications infrastructure.