The Army’s large fixed-installation Regional Hub Nodes (RHNs) support theater-level operations. The regionally located RHNs enable global network connectivity to securely transport information both within theater and around the world. RHNs support joint training and real-world contingency operations, as well as humanitarian, disaster relief and national emergency response. Additionally, through the Global Agile Integrated Transport (GAIT) design, commands with dispersed units around the globe can maintain mission command and network operations capabilities from their home station or forward- deployed headquarters.

The GAIT network design creates a global network mesh that enables secure high-capacity voice, video and data exchange, mission command and network operations between Army formations located around world. This dynamic architecture provides multiple routing path options and solutions, enabling a more robust, resilient and expeditionary network. GAIT interconnects the Army’s RHNs and multiple DoD satellite communication gateways worldwide to enable integrated global network transport. Additionally, with the continued evolution of the architecture, units can choose to bypass the RHNs or gateways and transport data directly between hundreds of GAIT Points of Presence. These network routers are installed at fixed military locations, such as corps, division, theater tactical signal brigades and special user home stations. This simplifies network transport even further and enhances multipath diversity for a more resilient network.

GAIT delivers a more unified and robust network, enabling current expeditionary network capabilities and laying the groundwork for future network transport innovation. GAIT is a cornerstone in the Army’s two-year incremental network modernization Capability Set (CS) efforts, posturing the service to meet its multi domain operation goals. GAIT enables commanders to execute mission command and make faster decisions by enabling a unified network transport for mission command systems and the integration of those systems and their server stacks between home station and forward deployed locations. This unified integration enables near real-time common operating picture that commanders can trust. It will also support the Army’s future CS25 and CS27 cloud computing initiatives.

Future Multi-Domain Operations will require an expeditionary force that is ready to fight the battle as soon as boots hit the ground. Before deploying to contingency, support or training missions, Army and Marine Corps units can leverage GAIT from their home station to complete the long list of networking configuration and policy tasks needed to connect to overseas coalition networks and conduct integrated mission command. Commanders and their units can also practice on mission command and signal integration in the forward theater before they deploy, and participate in coalition meetings and battle update briefs, increasing unit proficiency ahead of the fight.

Capabilities

• Enables global network connectivity to transport information both within theater and around the world
• Enables home-station mission command and network operations
• Complex networking configuration and policy tasks needed to connect to overseas coalition networks and conduct integrated mission command can be completed at home-station so Soldiers can connect once they hit the ground
• Cornerstone in the Army’s two-year incremental network modernization Capability Set efforts
• Supports the Army’s cloud modernization efforts