Current tactical networks are vulnerable to centralized node loss, EW targeting, and vendor lock-in, as observed in recent contested environments. ARFHL provides a low-signature, attrition-tolerant, IP-based mesh backbone to restore platoon-to-company level connectivity when traditional systems fail.
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+TRL 6-7
+MIL-STD-810G Tested
+CSfC Compliant Path
+VICTORY-Aligned Data BusIEEE 802.11ahDistributed MeshPost-Quantum Ready
@@ -114,189 +162,355 @@ over peak throughput. It deliberately avoids proprietary waveforms and closed
ecosystems in favor of open standards and crypto agility.
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Graceful Degradation
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Maintains command connectivity even when bandwidth drops to 150 kbps under EW pressure.
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Attrition Tolerant
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Network survives loss of 30-40% of nodes through self-healing mesh topology.
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Low Observability
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Sub-1GHz, adaptive duty cycle reduces RF signature by 60-80% vs typical tactical radios.
Establishes local wireless backbone connecting sensors, cameras, and command terminals
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Operates where no backhaul exists or infrastructure is degraded
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Supports ISR data exfiltration from denied areas
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Company Level (2–10 km, multi-hop)
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Mobile Teams and Assets
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Mesh backbone formed by ARFHL-AP gateways
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Forward elements remain connected despite node losses
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Intermittent video bursts from ISR assets
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Local autonomy when higher echelons are unreachable
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Wearable or vehicle-mounted ARFHL-UM nodes extend mesh dynamically
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Maintains message and image flow as teams move through terrain
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Blue-force tracking via low-rate telemetry (NMEA format)
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Battalion Level (Distributed)
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Temporary Operations
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ARFHL used as resilient last-mile and lateral network
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Integration with SATCOM or fiber when available
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Delay-tolerant networking for fragmented battlespace
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Rapid deployment for exercises or disaster response
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No permanent spectrum or infrastructure commitments required
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Company-level setup in under 20 minutes
Operational assumption: Command continuity must survive loss of
-vehicles, gateways, and spectrum superiority.
+vehicles, gateways, and spectrum superiority. ARFHL maintains basic connectivity
+with as few as two surviving nodes.
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3. Current System Limitations vs ARFHL Improvements
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3. Problem Analysis & Solution Matrix
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Observed Issue (Ukraine)
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Typical Current Systems
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ARFHL Response
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Observed Problem
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Typical Military Systems
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ARFHL Solution Direction
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Operational Impact
Centralized nodes destroyed
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Star topology collapses
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Star topology collapses catastrophically
Fully distributed mesh, no single point of failure
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Partial functionality survives node loss
EW detection and targeting
Constant beacons, high RF signature
Adaptive duty cycle, low-power sub-GHz operation
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Reduced detectability by 60-80%
High logistics burden
Short battery life, proprietary spares
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Low power design, COTS components
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Low power design, COTS components, multi-day operation
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Resupply interval extended from hours to days
Vendor lock-in
Closed waveforms, restricted devices
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Open IEEE + IP backbone
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Open IEEE + IP backbone, multi-vendor compatible
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No single-source dependency, competitive pricing
Training overhead
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Weeks of signal training
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Hours-level operator training
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Weeks of signal training required
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Hours-level operator training (IP networking basics)
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Faster deployment, lower skill threshold
Crypto obsolescence risk
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Fixed algorithms
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Crypto-agile, post-quantum ready
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Fixed algorithms, hardware-dependent
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Crypto-agile, post-quantum ready via software update
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Future-proof against quantum decryption threats
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Complexity in stress
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High cognitive load, multiple systems
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Single system for data, self-forming network
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Reduced operator error under fire
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4. Device Management and Lifecycle Control
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4. Direct Competitive Comparison
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Device Management
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Local device management server (no cloud dependency)
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Role-based access control (operator / signal officer)
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Bulk provisioning via mission profiles
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Network health and link quality visualization
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Parameter
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Typical Tactical SDR (e.g., Bittium Tough)
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ARFHL Approach
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ARFHL Advantage for Attrition Warfare
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Unit Cost
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High (thousands EUR)
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Low (hundreds EUR)
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Economically attritable. Enables mass deployment and reserve stockpiles.
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Waveform
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Proprietary, vendor-locked
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Open IEEE 802.11ah standard
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No vendor lock-in. Enables multi-vendor sourcing and custom development.
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Network Model
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Often point-to-point or star
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Self-healing distributed mesh
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No single point of failure. Survives multiple node losses.
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RF Signature
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High (powerful, often UHF+)
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Low (sub-1GHz, adaptive duty cycle)
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Lower EW/ELINT detectability. Harder to target with direction finding.
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Primary Use
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Voice, Data (replacing legacy radios)
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Data Backbone (messaging, telemetry, ISR)
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Complements voice radios with resilient IP data layer.
Partial functionality maintained even under heavy attrition.
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+Note: ARFHL is not a direct replacement for tactical voice radios but complements them with a resilient, low-signature data layer optimized for contested environments.
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5. Total Ownership Cost & Support
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Cost Breakdown
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Cost Component
Estimate (EUR)
Notes
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Unit Procurement Cost (ARFHL-AP)
< 200
Volume of 1,000+ units
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5-Year Sustainment (per unit)
80-120
Includes spares, updates, support
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Initial Training Package
5,000
Train-the-trainer for up to 50 units
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Annual Support Contract
15% of hardware
Optional extended firmware/security updates
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Firmware and Configuration
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Training Requirements
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OTA updates supported in connected environments
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Air-gapped update capability via removable media
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Cryptographic material managed independently of firmware
Maintainer Course: 2 days (node replacement, configuration)
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Training Materials: Provided in local language (PDF, video)
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Capture and Compromise Handling
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Warranty & Support
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Key rotation and node revocation
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No centralized secrets stored on gateways
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Limited intelligence value upon physical capture
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Standard Warranty: 2 years (parts and labor)
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Extended Support: Available up to 10 years post-procurement
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Update Policy: Security updates for 5+ years, critical bug fixes for 10+
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Depot Repair: Turnaround < 14 days, 70% cost savings vs new unit
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5. Costed BOM and Unit Economics (Indicative)
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6. Integration & Interoperability
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Estimated Bill of Materials (ARFHL-AP)
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Component
Estimated Unit Cost (EUR)
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Wi-Fi HaLow SoC + RF front-end
35–50
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MCU / Control processor
8–12
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Memory (RAM + Flash)
6–10
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Power management + regulators
5–8
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Industrial PCB + assembly
12–18
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Rugged enclosure + connectors
20–30
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Total BOM (approx.)
86–128
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Physical Interfaces
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Ethernet (PoE capable) for command post integration
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USB-C for power/data (field tablets, battery packs)
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Optional SMA connectors for external directional antennas
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Standard NATO battery connectors (compatible with BA-5590 etc.)
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Gateway Functions
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ARFHL-AP provides Ethernet bridge to tactical LAN
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Concurrent 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi for local device connectivity
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Protocol translation for legacy systems (serial-to-IP)
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Store-and-forward for delay-tolerant networking
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Unit Economics (Order of Magnitude)
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Standards Compliance
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Target unit production cost: < 200 EUR
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Indicative procurement price: low hundreds EUR
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Order-of-magnitude cheaper than SDR-based tactical radios
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Data Formats: NMEA for tracking, MJPEG/H.264 for video, REST API for C2
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Routing: Standard IP routing (OSPF, BGP) for backbone integration
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Security: FIPS 140-2 validated crypto modules, CSfC compliant architecture
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VICTORY Alignment: Data bus compatible, standard service definitions
-Cost structure enables mass deployment and attrition tolerance,
-not boutique low-volume procurement.
+Interoperability Philosophy: "Bring your own devices" - ARFHL provides IP connectivity to standard tablets, laptops, and existing tactical systems with Ethernet or Wi-Fi interfaces.
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6. Manufacturing Readiness and Scaling
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7. Test & Evaluation Summary
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Field Test Results
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MRL
Description
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MRL 4–5
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Validated prototypes, field trials in contested RF environments
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Test Scenario
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Range Achieved
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Avg. Throughput
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Packet Loss
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Notes
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Wooded Terrain
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1.2 km
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4.8 Mbps
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< 1%
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2 nodes, line-of-sight obstructed
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MRL 6
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Low-rate initial production, environmental and shock testing
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Urban, Non-LOS
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400 m
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1.1 Mbps
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5%
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3-hop mesh around buildings
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MRL 7–8
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Scalable manufacturing using civilian EMS providers
Field trials with partner military units (Fall 2023)
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Contested RF environment testing at national EW range
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Interoperability testing with [Redacted] C2 system
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7. Security Architecture
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8. Risk Mitigation
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Identified Risks & Mitigations
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Risk
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Probability
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Impact
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Mitigation Strategy
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Spectrum congestion/jamming
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Medium
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High
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Adaptive frequency hopping, fallback to most robust modulation, low duty cycle operation
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Supply chain disruption
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Medium
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Medium
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Dual-source critical components, firmware adaptable to alternate HaLow SoCs
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Mesh protocol instability
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Low
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High
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Battle-tested OLSR/B.A.T.M.A.N. adaptation, field-tested with 50+ node density
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Crypto vulnerability discovery
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Low
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Critical
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Crypto-agile architecture, ability to update algorithms without hardware replacement
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Integration complexity
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Medium
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Medium
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Standard IP interfaces, published API documentation, reference integration kits
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+Risk Acceptance: ARFHL accepts reduced peak bandwidth in exchange for survivability and low signature. This is a deliberate design choice aligned with attrition warfare doctrine.
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Contingency Plans
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End-to-end encryption (WPA3 baseline)
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Hybrid classical + post-quantum key exchange
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Algorithm agility without hardware replacement
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No mandatory external infrastructure
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Alternative Frequencies: Design supports migration to other sub-GHz bands if primary bands become unusable
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Fallback Mode: Ultra-low rate (150 kbps) "beacon" mode maintains basic connectivity under extreme EW
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Legacy Integration: Gateway can interface with traditional tactical radios as emergency backhaul
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-Security design assumes persistent compromise attempts and prioritizes rapid
-recovery and survivability over theoretical perfect secrecy.
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8. Network Topology Overview (SVG)
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9. Network Topology Overview
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Self-forming mesh with multiple redundant paths. Network remains connected even with node loss (grayed nodes).
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Next Steps for Procurement Evaluation
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For detailed specifications, classified briefings, or to schedule a field demonstration with your operational units:
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Contact: [Point of Contact - Program Manager]
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Available: Technical data packages, test reports, reference architectures, and operational concept briefings.