DOD plans to wave goodbye to waveforms

In an effort to improve network interoperability, Defense Department officials will attempt to reduce the number of communication waveforms used in military equipment, according to a DOD instruction released Nov. 3.

The new policy creates procedures for the developing and modifying wireless communications waveforms. New and modified waveforms -- essentially, frequencies -- will undergo a review under the policy. 

While officials hope to reduce the number of waveforms used, they plan to do it without hindering technology advancements. DOD officials also do not want to impose an undue burden on the acquisition system.

Under the new rules, waveforms must have Internet protocol capability to make network-centric interoperability easier.

A DOD waveform portal will be established to help implement the new policy. The portal will provide information about the evaluation process, provide a current DOD communications waveforms list, and establish a database of DOD communications waveforms parameters.

The new policy does not apply to programs that use any wireless waveforms to support specialized missions, such as defense intelligence, counterintelligence, and aircraft and weapons system integration.