Simulating Security and Speed: A Comparative Evaluation of the MobileSecureComm Platform Against Legacy Tactical Communication Systems

Authors

  • Rexhep Mustafovski Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, Rugjer Boshkovikj, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3257-0989
  • Aleksandar Risteski Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, Rugjer Boshkovikj, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9485-6683
  • Tomislav Shuminoski Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, Rugjer Boshkovikj, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8828-552X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31181/sems31202542m

Keywords:

AI-Enhanced Communication, Encryption, Interoperability, Latency, Military Networks, Tactical Simulation

Abstract

As military operations grow increasingly complex, the need for secure, responsive, and scalable communication platforms has never been greater. MobileSecureComm is developed as a next-generation solution designed to overcome the shortcomings of legacy systems like single channel ground and airborne radio systems, enhanced position location reporting system, tactical airborne subsystems, and computer emergency response team-based emergency communications. This paper presents a simulation-based comparative analysis between MobileSecureComm and existing systems, focusing on latency, bandwidth efficiency, interoperability, and cyber resilience. Using scenario-driven simulations, ranging from battlefield coordination to disaster relief operations, we evaluate real-time performance, scalability under network load, and response to simulated cyberattacks. The analysis demonstrates how MobileSecureComm’s architecture, which incorporates artificial intelligence (AI)-driven routing, quantum-ready encryption, and multi-domain flexibility, consistently outperforms traditional platforms in mission-critical conditions. The results highlight both the operational advantages of MobileSecureComm and the remaining challenges in full-scale implementation, particularly regarding backward compatibility and deployment in legacy infrastructures. This study contributes valuable insights into the technological evolution of tactical communication systems and supports the continued development of hybrid, AI-augmented communication platforms tailored to the demands of modern and future combat environments.

References

Almeida, J.P.A., Falbo, R.A., Guizzardi, G. (2019). Events as Entities in Ontology-Driven Conceptual Modeling. In: Laender, A., Pernici, B., Lim, EP., de Oliveira, J. (eds) Conceptual Modeling. ER 2019. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 11788. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33223-5_39.

Benparts. (2018). FieldNet 3 Operation Manual Rev B. Benparts Communication Solutions.

CERT. (2012). CERT Emergency Communications Participant Manual. Community Emergency Response Team.

Saafi, N., & Dhouib, K. (2024). An Ontological Model to Enhance Traffic Conditions in Smart City Domain. Spectrum of Engineering and Management Sciences, 2(1), 70-84. https://doi.org/10.31181/sems1120246m.

Romanenko, E., Calvanese, D., & Guizzardi, G. (2024). Evaluating quality of ontology-driven conceptual models abstractions. Data & Knowledge Engineering, 153, 102342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.datak.2024.102342.

Velasquez, W., Moreira-Moreira, G. Z., & Alvarez-Alvarado, M. S. (2024). Smart grids empowered by software-defined network: A comprehensive review of advancements and challenges. IEEE Access, 12, 63400-63416. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3396402.

Cheng, X., Yang, H., Jakubisin, D. J., Tripathi, N., Anderson, G., Wang, A. K., et al. (2022). 5G physical layer resiliency enhancements with NB-IoT use case study. In MILCOM 2022-2022 IEEE Military Communications Conference (MILCOM) (pp. 379-384). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/MILCOM55135.2022.10017487.

Cirrus360, Intel Corp & Vodafone (2023). Furthering the Goals of Multivendor Interoperability in ORAN: From Interfaces to Abstraction and Automation. Vodafone Technology News.

Codan Communications. (2021). CODAN Military Product Offering. International Sales Specification 1.

Codan Communications (2020). Military LOS Tactical Radio Relay Systems Overview. International Overview Paper.

Deng, Q. & Lu, Z. (2018). Research on calibration technology of target echo simulator for pulse Doppler radar seeker. Aerospace Measurement Technology, 38(1), 27-31.

Doshi, B., Cansevar, D. & Pilipovic, J. (2016). Software defined networking for Army’s tactical network: Promises, challenges, architectural approach, and required S&T work. US Army CERDEC, Technical Report.

D'Oro, S., Polese, M., Bonati, L., Cheng, H., & Melodia, T. (2022). dApps: Distributed applications for real-time inference and control in O-RAN. IEEE Communications Magazine, 60(11), 52-58. https://doi.org/10.1109/MCOM.002.2200079.

Fonseca, C.M., Porello, D., Guizzardi, G., Almeida, J.P.A., & Guarino, N. (2019). Relations in Ontology-Driven Conceptual Modeling. In: Laender, A., Pernici, B., Lim, EP., de Oliveira, J. (eds) Conceptual Modeling. ER 2019. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 11788. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33223-5_4.

Fontes, R. R., Afzal, S., Brito, S. H., Santos, M. A., & Rothenberg, C. E. (2015). Mininet-WiFi: Emulating software-defined wireless networks. In 2015 11th International Conference on Network and Service Management (CNSM) (pp. 384-389). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/CNSM.2015.7367387.

Fontes, R. D. R., & Rothenberg, C. E. (2016). Mininet-wifi: A platform for hybrid physical-virtual software-defined wireless networking research. In Proceedings of the 2016 ACM SIGCOMM Conference (pp. 607-608). https://doi.org/10.1145/2934872.2959070.

Foukas, X., Radunovic, B., Balkwill, M., & Lai, Z. (2023). Taking 5G RAN analytics and control to a new level. In Proceedings of the 29th Annual International Conference on Mobile Computing and Networking (pp. 1-16). https://doi.org/10.1145/3570361.3592493.

Frater, M. (2015). The role of tactical data links in enhancing situational awareness in modern warfare. Journal of Defence Technology, 12(3).

Gatherer, A., Sengupta, C., Sen, S., & Reed, J. H. (2024). Dual-Use Commercial and Military Communications on a Single Platform using RAN Domain Specific Language. In MILCOM 2024-2024 IEEE Military Communications Conference (MILCOM) (pp. 746-751). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/MILCOM61039.2024.10773664.

Harris Corporation. (2000). Radio Communications in the Digital Age: VHF and UHF Tactical Systems. Technical White Paper.

IEEE Communications Society. (2020). The role of artificial intelligence in tactical communication systems. IEEE Communications Magazine, 58(5).

International Association of Emergency Managers. (2020). IoT Applications in Emergency Response Communications. IAEM Technical Manual.

Pérez, G., & Ll, S. M. (2011). Design methodology of a militar messaging system. Ship Science & Technology, 4(8), 61-73. https://doi.org/10.25043/19098642.46.

Kreutz, D., Ramos, F. M., Verissimo, P. E., Rothenberg, C. E., Azodolmolky, S., & Uhlig, S. (2014). Software-defined networking: A comprehensive survey. Proceedings of the IEEE, 103(1), 14-76. https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2014.2371999.

Lantz, B., Heller, B., & McKeown, N. (2010). A network in a laptop: rapid prototyping for software-defined networks. In Proceedings of the 9th ACM SIGCOMM Workshop on Hot Topics in Networks (pp. 1-6). https://doi.org/10.1145/1868447.1868466.

Li, S., Zhangyou, C. & Lan, Z. (2018). Design of analog front-end for multi-channel dual-frequency HF radar receiver. Application of Electronic Technology, 44(3), 31-35.

Mahmud, R., Toosi, A. N., Rodriguez, M. A., Madanapalli, S. C., Sivaraman, V., Sciacca, L., et al. (2021). Software-Defined Multi-domain Tactical Networks: Foundations and Future Directions. In: Mukherjee, A., De, D., Ghosh, S.K., Buyya, R. (eds) Mobile Edge Computing. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69893-5_9.

Maseng, J. M. (2019). Advances in Tactical Communication Systems and Their Impact on Operational Efficiency. Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI).

Motorola Solutions. (2020). Next-Generation Tactical Communication Devices. Technical Report.

NATO Communications and Information Agency. (2020). Tactical Communication and NATO Interoperability Standards.

NATO Science & Technology Organization. (2021). Advancements in Tactical Airborne Communication Platforms. NATO STO Technical Report.

Norwegian Armed Forces Research Institute. (2018). CIGUEST Tactical Systems Evaluation Report.

Radio Relay International. (2017). Training Manual TR-001: Radio Relay Operations in Disaster Communications Planning. 3rd ed.

Ryan, M. & Frater, M. (2000). A Tactical Communications System for Future Land Warfare. Land Warfare Studies Centre, Working Paper No. 109.

Ryan, M. & Frater, M. (2001). Utility of a Tactical Airborne Communications Subsystem in Support of Future Land Warfare. Land Warfare Studies Centre, Working Paper No. 112.

Sandia National Laboratories. (2012). Secure Network Design. NUREG/CR-7117, Sandia National Laboratories.

U.S. Air Force. (2021). Global High-Frequency Communication System Integration for Multi-Theater Operations. USAF Technical Bulletin.

U.S. Army. (1987). Field Manual FM 24-18: Tactical Single-Channel Radio Communications Techniques. Headquarters, Department of the Army.

U.S. Army. (2021). ATP 6-02.60: Tactical Radio Communications Techniques. Headquarters, Department of the Army.

U.S. Army. (2022). Combat SkySat: Enhancing Tactical Airborne Communication for Future Warfare. White Paper.

U.S. Department of Defense. (2019). DoD Command, Control, and Communications (C3) Strategy.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2015). Emergency Communications Infrastructure and Standards for Critical Operations.

Zhao, Q., Brown, A. J., Kim, J. H., & Gerla, M. (2019). An integrated software-defined battlefield network testbed for tactical scenario emulation. In MILCOM 2019-2019 IEEE Military Communications Conference (MILCOM) (pp. 373-378). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/MILCOM47813.2019.9020764.

Published

2025-05-07

How to Cite

Mustafovski, R., Risteski, A. ., & Shuminoski, T. (2025). Simulating Security and Speed: A Comparative Evaluation of the MobileSecureComm Platform Against Legacy Tactical Communication Systems. Spectrum of Engineering and Management Sciences, 3(1), 147-157. https://doi.org/10.31181/sems31202542m