The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has been working to bridge the colossal information dissemination gap during Millennium Challenge 2002 (MC-02), with its Navy Predators and the Joint Operational Test Bed System (JOTBS). The JOTBS, which was developed by NAVAIR, along with the Navy's Predators enabled Joint Forces Command to conduct Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) interoperability experimentation and maximize joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance through C4I (command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence) dissemination.

Millennium Challenge 2002, a Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) event, is the largest joint military experiment of it's kind in history and is intended to lead to department-wide transformation through the testing of various new concepts that have been developed over the past two years.

During MC-02 the JOTBS was put through several different warfighter scenarios that directly challenged its ability to not only identify a target but to pass that image on to key decision makers within a critical time period.

The complete test bed system consists of at a minimum, (2) Navy Predator air vehicles, (2) ground control stations, (2) data link components, (1) payload, and perhaps the most critical piece, the Tactical Control System (TCS). TCS is being developed as the interoperable ground control station architecture for the Department of Defense's family of tactical UAVs. It is the software that facilitates the dissemination of required collected data, thus enabling effective analysis of potential targets.

JOTBS has played a major role in other military exercises as well. Last summer, JOTBS was used during Joint Task Force Exercise 2001, to help bridge the information gap in support of the warfighter.

When asked to comment on the utility of the JOTBS system, Rear Adm. Jack Chenevey, Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation said, "the partnership between NAVAIR and JFCOM in developing joint exploitation of UAV interoperability and joint tactical concept of operations is paying dividends to ensure optimum solutions for our networked fighting forces."