Battlefield network is Army's top priority, says chief of staff

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno said that updating the Army’s collection of tactical radios, mapping programs and smart phones into a seamless battlefield network remains the service's top modernization priority, reports DOD Buzz.

In an article published on the Army's website, Odierno said the battlefield network has greater priority than modernization of essential ground vehicles.

The Army is poised to deilver the latest collection of next generation battlefield radios and communications systems, known as Capability Set 13, to Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division in 2013, the story said.

The challenge for the Army moving forward will be to maintain the focus and commitment necessary to keep military communications up to date with commercial digital communications, the story said.

Odierno said basing the service's acquisition strategy on balancing capability with cost will keep the system agile. He has said before that excessive requirements lists will no longer be tolerated, particularly when they show no consideration for costs, the story said.