New N-CFT Director Sets Sights on Enabling Data Sharing in Contested Battlefield

Brig. Gen. Jeth Rey, the new director of the Army’s Network Cross-Functional Team, is making it his top priority to enable data access and sharing between warfighters on the battlefield.

According to Rey, the goal is to establish a data-centric environment where warfighters can access understandable, secured and aggregated data even at the tactical edge.

The N-CFT director hopes to deliver data by leveraging 5G, low and medium Earth orbit satellites, and other terrestrial transport options, C4ISRNET reported.

Much focus will be given to ensuring adequate communications in the dispersed Indo-Pacific region, which is described as the epicenter of the great power competition with China.

Enabling information sharing has been a longstanding challenge in the region, Rey said, citing his past struggles as commander of the 516th Signal Brigade based out of Fort Shafter in Hawaii.

Brig. Gen. Rob Collins, director of the Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications-Tactical, stressed that communication in the Indo-Pacific region requires flexible and mobile networks.

“We need to make sure that we maximize on the multilayered architecture, not just traditional just terrestrial reliance. We got to think air, we got to think space and even within space, multiple layers,” Collins said.

Current efforts to link units under the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command include the fielding of new tactical network tools as part of the Army’s Capability Set ‘21 deployment.

Paul Mehney, PEO C3T communications director, said fielding of expeditionary signal battalion enhanced network gear to the 304th Expeditionary Signal Battalion is nearing completion.