The Impact of the Defense Message System (DMS) on the United States Surface Navy

Abstract

This thesis examines the planned implementation of the DMS and its impact on the Department of Defense DoD, the Navy and, specifically, naval surface ships. The DMS phased planning will be evaluated, with a concentration on several key technological developments that will support the modernization of the DoD messaging system. The primary link to the DMS will be provided by the Base Information Transfer System BITS which is the Navys plan for base-level communication system modernization. The BITS will network all units attached to the base and include a pierside interface for ships. An overview of the BITS system will be presented with an emphasis on the shipboard interface. Several automated shipboard messaging systems will be reviewed with the primary attention toward their ability to meet future telecommunications requirements in terms of degree of automation, bandwidth constraints, security, manning, training and design.