StrikeMesh: Networked HF for Global Strike

Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) needs to maintain reliable beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) connectivity with its strategic bombers, even when satellite communications (SATCOM) is denied. Caliola’s StrikeMesh solution fulfills this AFGSC mission need. Today, global strike is predicated on reliable beyond BLOS communications with B-2s and B-52s for retargeting and reportback. Tomorrow, reliable and resilient BLOS connectivity will only become more important as uncrewed aircraft are integrated with the B-21 family-of-systems. BLOS has traditionally been synonymous with satellite SATCOM. However, the emergence of a near-peer competitor has rendered space congested and contested. The bomber fleet can no longer depend on SATCOM alone. The High Frequency (HF) band can support BLOS command and control when SATCOM is denied. Unfortunately, today's HF systems are ill-suited to near-peer conflict. They offer meager data rates and are detectable by modern signals intelligence systems. Today's HF systems are also limited to point-to-point connectivity. As the Air Force supplements its crewed platforms with lower cost uncrewed systems, networked HF systems that are capable of reliable point-to-multipoint communications will be required. Caliola's StrikeMesh solution solves all of these problems. With StrikeMesh, strategic aircraft can reliably join long-haul HF networks while maintaining low probabilities of detection and geolocation. Once an aircraft joins a network, it can receive retargeting data at 300+ kbps and transmit reportback messages covertly. Simply put, StrikeMesh can be the foundation of a genuine "PACE without space" capability for AFGSC.