Effectiveness of a littoral combat ship as a major node in a wireless mesh network

Abstract

The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is an evolving platform capable of performing missions in a variety of environments worldwide. One theoretical mission area—the performing advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence (C4I) with wireless networking technology in a littoral environment—brings new aspects to the level of versatility this platform can provide. The Navy relies heavily upon networks for information sharing between deployed assets; there is therefore a need for a more reliable means of communicating with these systems. The LCS's adaptability makes it a prime candidate for experimentation with wireless networking technology used for communications with multiple assets. Continuous improvements in Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) and Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET) technologies are producing capabilities that satisfy the need for greater bandwidth and reliability between interconnected manned and unmanned systems. This thesis postulates to virtually model and simulate the operation of an LCS equipped with WMN and MANET technologies intended to enable the LCS to manage these networks and to communicate with surrounding assets reliably. Standard thresholds for network reliability are used to determine the network effectiveness. Based on results from network simulation software, the research findings demonstrated the LCS is capable of performing as a major node in a WMN.