DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PROGRAM TO EXPAND HIGH-SPEED, HIGH-BANDWIDTH CAPABILITIES FOR NETWORK-CENTRIC OPERATIONS.

SEC. 234. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PROGRAM TO EXPAND HIGH-SPEED, HIGH-BANDWIDTH CAPABILITIES FOR NETWORK-CENTRIC OPERATIONS.(a) In General.—The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a program of research and development to promote the development of high-speed, high-bandwidth communications capabilities for support of network-centric operations by the Armed Forces.(b) Purposes.—The purposes of the program required by subsection (a) are as follows:(1) To accelerate the development and fielding by the Armed Forces of network-centric operational capabilities (including expanded use of unmanned vehicles, satellite communications, and sensors) through the promotion of research and 117 STAT. 1424 development, and the focused coordination of programs, to achieve high-speed, high-bandwidth connectivity to military assets.(2) To provide for the development of equipment and technologies for military high-speed, high-bandwidth communications capabilities for support of network-centric operations.(c) Description of Program.—In carrying out the program of research and development required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall—(1) identify areas of advanced wireless communications in which research and development, or the use of emerging technologies, has significant potential to improve the performance, efficiency, cost, and flexibility of advanced communications systems for support of network-centric operations;(2) develop a coordinated plan for research and development on—(A) improved spectrum access through spectrum-efficient communications for support of network-centric operations;(B) high-speed, high-bandwidth communications;(C) networks, including complex ad hoc adaptive network structures;(D) communications devices, including efficient receivers and transmitters;(E) computer software and wireless communication applications, including robust security and encryption; and(F) any other matters that the Secretary considers appropriate for the purposes described in subsection (b);(3) ensure joint research and development, and promote joint systems acquisition and deployment, among the military departments and defense agencies, including the development of common cross-service technology requirements and doctrine, so as to enhance interoperability among the military services and defense agencies;(4) conduct joint experimentation among the Armed Forces, and coordinate with the Joint Forces Command, on experimentation to support the development of network-centric warfare capabilities from the operational to the small unit level in the Armed Forces;(5) consult with other Federal entities and with private industry to develop cooperative research and development efforts, to the extent that such efforts are practicable.(d) Report.—(1) The Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees, together with the budget justification materials submitted to Congress in support of the Department of Defense budget for fiscal year 2006 (as submitted with the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code), a report on the activities carried out under this section through the date on which the report is submitted.(2) The report under paragraph (1) shall include the following:(A) A description of the research and development activities carried out under subsection (a), including the particular activities carried out under the plan required by subsection (c)(2).(B) Current and proposed funding for the particular activities carried out under that plan, as set forth in each of subparagraphs (A) through (F) of subsection (c)(2).117 STAT. 1425(C) A description of the joint research and development activities required by subsection (c)(3).(D) A description of the joint experimentation activities required by subsection (c)(4).(E) An analysis of the effects on recent military operations of limitations on communications bandwidth and access to radio frequency spectrum.(F) An assessment of the effect of additional resources on the ability to achieve the purposes described in subsection (b).(G) Such recommendations for additional activities under this section as the Secretary considers appropriate to meet the purposes described in subsection (b).