Common Operating Picture

SpecTrackers didn't come to improve spectrum management software. They came to solve a conflict problem—when military teams can't see electromagnetic spectrum usage across European operations, frequency collisions create mission failures.

What's At Stake

In multinational training exercises and operations across Europe, electromagnetic spectrum conflicts disable critical communications and disrupt coordinated missions. Current spectrum management relies on Spectrum XXI, which lacks real-time visibility into frequency usage across different units and allied forces. Without a Common Operating Picture (COP) for spectrum allocation, teams unknowingly interfere with each other's operations, creating vulnerabilities that adversaries can exploit.

Hohenfels Integration Testing

Led by Rafael Gould-Schultz, SpecTrackers traveled to Army Garrison Hohenfels, Germany, where Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Kane arranged direct access to operational teams using spectrum management systems. The team engaged with 20-30 end-users from eWarfare and Mission Integration Systems teams who tested their COP prototype in real operational contexts.

These hands-on sessions revealed how military personnel interact with spectrum management tools under pressure and identified usability challenges that remote testing couldn't expose. The team observed Spectrum XXI in daily use, understanding the workflow constraints and integration requirements for their enhanced system.

Spectrum XXI Enhancement

SpecTrackers developed a Common Operating Picture that builds upon existing Spectrum XXI capabilities rather than replacing them. Their solution integrates frequency prediction, archival functions, and real-time conflict detection to prevent spectrum interference between units operating in shared electromagnetic environments.

The Hohenfels testing validated their approach of enhancing rather than reinventing existing systems, with military users providing direct feedback on interface design and operational integration requirements.

Operators of Another Kind

Rafael Gould-Schultz, leading the effort from James Madison University, brought systems integration expertise to electromagnetic spectrum management challenges. Working alongside teammates Abigail Fornadel, Rachel McCoy, Jeff Ekton, and Kathleen Moorer, the team combined technical development with direct user validation from operational military teams.

What Comes Next

SpecTrackers continues refining their COP based on feedback from Hohenfels testing, with LTC Kane providing ongoing operational guidance for Spectrum XXI integration. Their solution addresses immediate spectrum conflict prevention needs while enhancing decision-making capabilities for multinational operations.

They didn't just study spectrum management. They built real-time solutions for electromagnetic coordination.