TOWARD A SOFTWARE BASED INTERCOMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITY FOR ARMY GROUND VEHICLES

The confluence of intra-vehicle networks, Vehicular Integration for (C4ISR) Command, Control Communication, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance/(EW) Electronic Warfare Interoperability (VICTORY) standards and onboard general-purpose processors creates an opportunity to implement Army combat ground vehicle intercommunications (intercom) capability in software. The benefits of such an implementation include 1) SWAP savings, 2) cost savings, 3) simplified path to future upgrades and 4) enabling of potential new capabilities such as voice activated mission command. The VICTORY Standards Support Office (VSSO), working at the direction of its Executive Steering Group (ESG) members (Program Executive Office (PEO) Ground Combat Systems (GCS), PEO Combat Support and Combat Service Support (CS&CSS), PEO Command Control Communications-Tactical (C3T) and PEO Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (IEW&S)), has developed and demonstrated a software intercom prototype that proves out the concept and sets the stage for development of a deployable software intercom capability. This paper describes that effort to date including benefits to the Army, technical trades explored and potential for extended capabilities.