文章基本信息

标题：Bridging the gap - Stryker Update - first-ever Stryker Brigade Combat Team - Brief Article
作者：Alfredo Jimenez
期刊名称：Soldiers Magazine
出版年度：2003
卷号：July 2003
出版社：UK Armed Forces

Bridging the gap - Stryker Update - first-ever Stryker Brigade Combat Team - Brief Article

Alfredo Jimenez

THE first-ever Stryker Brigade Combat Team--Fort Lewis's 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division--prides itself on being rapidly deployable.

So it's fitting that the battlefield information the unit receives should arrive just as fast. Through a system called the "digital bridge," information travels via satellites, rather than by the usual line-of-sight radios. With this system, vital information and pictures can be transmitted to units on the ground from anywhere in the world, in real time.

"Designed about a year ago, the digital bridge complements the SBCT's extensive computer system and allows the SBCT to connect to other computer systems," said MAJ Brian Edholm, digital bridge executive officer.

"The digital bridge allows the 3rd Bde. to see a real-time picture of the battlefield. And the system is evolving, because the SBCT is still in a testing phase," said CW2 Ronald Carrasquillo, 29th Signal Battalion network manager.

The system has several central nodes that transmit information into the main hub. The hub, in turn, transmits information digitally to the commanders on the battlefield and to the tactical-operations center.

The bridge gives planners a few advantages, including tracking the movement of both friendly and enemy forces, and allowing that information to be transmitted between the commands very quickly.

"This SBCT exercise allows us to test our mobility," said SGT Luis Robles, node center chief. It also marked the first time the digital bridge tested several pieces of computer equipment at the same time.

"Before, we've been able to test only one item at a time," Edholm added.

The soldiers involved with the digital bridge are very excited about their role in the first-ever SBCT exercise, Edholm said: "They're always training and have been waiting to put their training to the test."

SGT Gregory Symins of the 29th Sig. Bn. speaks to another unit using a satellite communications terminal that is part of the new digital bridge technology.