Executive Summary
This thesis provides a non-technical overview of the Base Information Transfer System (BITS), a subarchitecture of a broader Navy program designed to support Department of the Navy communications ashore. It discusses BITS' history, current status, and implementation, consolidating various sources into one document. The study defines BITS' scope, explores its interface with other Navy, military, and worldwide communication systems, and examines acquisition, economics, and equipment technology.
Why It Matters
This document is crucial for understanding the foundational communication infrastructure of U.S. Navy bases in the early 1990s, offering insights into the challenges and strategies for integrating diverse communication systems. It provides a historical perspective on military network development and the complexities of large-scale defense technology acquisition.
Key Takeaways
- BITS was a critical subarchitecture designed to consolidate and standardize communication systems across U.S. Navy bases, addressing issues of redundancy and lack of connectivity.
- The implementation of BITS involved complex acquisition processes, economic considerations (lease vs. buy), and integration with global communication architectures like Copernicus.
- The thesis highlights the challenges of managing diverse communication systems within a military context and the strategic importance of a unified information transfer system for operational efficiency.
- The document also explores the functional transfer of Activities Providing Telephone Service (APTS) as a practical example of BITS implementation.
- Fiber optics technology was considered a key component for BITS, with detailed analysis of its design procedures and specifications.
- The study identifies potential concerns and offers conclusions regarding the acquisition and implementation of BITS, providing valuable lessons for future defense communication projects.
Strategic Relevance
This document details a foundational effort to standardize and integrate communication infrastructure across U.S. Navy bases, which is critical for operational efficiency, command and control, and overall strategic readiness. Understanding such historical efforts provides context for current military network modernization challenges and the enduring importance of robust, interoperable communication systems.