Challenges and solutions for enhancing Drone-to-TOC communication performance in military and crisis operations

Drone-to-TOC (Tactical Operations Center) communication is increasingly essential for military and crisis management operations, offering significant advantages in operational flexibility, real-time situational awareness, and rapid response capabilities. However, these advancements introduce numerous technical and operational challenges that must be addressed to fully exploit the benefits of drone communication. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the current challenges facing drone-to-TOC communications, including vulnerabilities to electronic warfare, cyber threats, interoperability issues, and bandwidth limitations. Electronic warfare, such as jamming and spoofing, significantly affects the reliability of UAV communication systems, demanding resilient, adaptive solutions. Cybersecurity threats further complicated secure data transmission, creating a need for advanced encryption, robust authentication protocols, and secure communication frameworks. Interoperability among multinational forces remains a persistent challenge due to varying encryption standards, data-sharing protocols, and differing technological platforms. Additionally, managing the increasing data volume and ensuring low latency transmission are critical concerns for maintaining seamless communication. Drawing on the latest developments from tactical radio networks, advanced military communications strategies, quantum-safe encryption technologies, and AI-driven cybersecurity measures, this paper proposes a set of solutions aimed at enhancing drone-to-TOC communication performance. Recommendations include implementing adaptive software-defined radios, integrating decentralized security mechanisms, and developing unified interoperability standards. These approaches aim to strengthen operational effectiveness, cybersecurity resilience, and reliability of drone communications during critical military and crisis management scenarios.