Improving the Aegis combat system with high speed networks

The authors investigate the possibility of replacing the current communication network for the Aegis real-time combat system aboard naval ships with a dual optical fiber ring. This network will then connect all sensors, weapons, electronic equipment, and computers into a single communication network, possessing a simple topology, higher data transfer capability, and security. It is expected that the communication network will also satisfy the needs of the next-generation surface combatant. The future system is expected to build upon the current Aegis combat system architecture, becoming more complex but remaining a well-integrated and easily operable combat system. The high-speed network based on FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) can satisfy the demand for more bandwidth, integrating both real-time and other communication services aboard a ship. It is argued that FDDI can not only successfully replace current communications in a ship's combat system, but can also provide much better service.<>