Distributed Common Ground/Surface Systems

Abstract

Distributed Common Ground System - Army (DCGS-A) is the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) System of Systems (SoS) for Joint, Interagency, Allied, Coalition, and National data analysis, sharing and collaboration. The core functions of DCGS-A are: the vertical and horizontal synchronization of ISR Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED) efforts; operations in a networked environment at multiple security levels; the control of select Army and joint sensor systems; the fusion of all acquired data and information, and distribution of relevant red (threat), gray (non-aligned), and environmental (weather and terrain) information; and providing the Warfighters' early warning, targeting, and sensor ground station capabilities. DCGS-A provides a single integrated ISR ground processing system composed of common components that are interoperable with sensors, other information sources, all Warfighting Functions, and the Defense Information & Intelligence Enterprise (DI2E) and Intelligence Community Information Technology Enterprise (IC ITE). DCGS-A is fielded in Fixed, Mobile, and embedded configurations emphasizing the use of reach and split based operations by improving accessibility of data in order to reduce forward deployed footprint. As new software capabilities are integrated and tested, a continuing series of modifications will be integrated and fielded to units IAW the Army Resourcing Priority List (ARPL) process. DCGS-A is designated as a Program of Record (PoR) within the Command Post Computing Environment (CP CE) of the Common Operating Environment (COE). DCGS-A provides the Single and Shareable Geospatial Foundation (SSGF) Cross Cutting Capability (CCC), and is defining the DCGS-A architecture to fit within the COE as described by the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology) (ASA(ALT)) COE Implementation Plan. This is in accordance with the G-3/5/7 priority to align all Army networks, procurements and enhancements under one COE and one vision leveraging intelligence community investments. PM DCGS-A continues to work with PM Mission Command (PM MC) to converge on CP CE Tactical Server Infrastructure (TSI) for FY19 fielding. DCGS-A software is tailored by echelon and scalable to each unit's mission. DCGS-A provides commanders and staffs the ability to maintain an accurate and up to date understanding of the operational environment. The DCGS-A contribution to commanders' visualization and situational awareness, rapid planning, and the synchronization of all warfighting functions, enable Army units to operate within the enemy's decision cycle. This capability enhances tactical and operational maneuver and the conduct of full spectrum operations across the range of military operations from Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to major combat operations and campaigns through all phases of the Joint Continuum of Military Operations. The DCGS-A configurations range from laptops to systems integrated in tactical shelters and mounted on tactical vehicles to large commodity servers operating in a sanctuary based data center processing environments. The fundamental intent and tenet of this approach is to reduce forward deployed equipment/footprint by co-locating the advanced analytics capabilities within the DCGS-A baseline with the regional data centers, where the data is stored. This infrastructure consolidation simultaneously reduces processor and communications requirements in tactical units by limiting the number of large data files transported across tactical communications systems. Following a successful operational assessment and Milestone C in 2QFY12/Full Deployment Decision in 1QFY13, Follow-on Test & Evaluation in 3QFY15, the program is deploying DCGS-A Increment 1 Software Baseline throughout the Army. FY2018 has no funding for Project 956. FY2018 Base funding in the amount of $24.700 million for D07, DCGS-A, will continue the iterative software releases that will increase the Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination capability our Army requires. DCGS-A will continue critical updates to the Army's ISR PED and multi- intelligence planning, analysis, and production capabilities through the exploitation of Cloud Computing and advanced analytics capabilities. This approach will achieve Information Technology efficiencies through alignment with the Intelligence Community Information Technology Environment (IC ITE), while providing the incremental software updates required to remain current.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2018
• Source ID: 0305208A_7_2040_PB_2018
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2018 decrease of $14.837M to project D07 supports re-phasing of funds to support program restructure.
• Service Agency Name: Army

Entities

Organizations

• United States Army

Tags

Communities of Interest

• C4I
• Human Systems
• Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Combat Operations
• Data Analysis
• Data Centers
• Deployment
• Economic Analysis
• Ground Control Stations
• Ground Stations
• Humanitarian Assistance
• Information Systems
• Logistics
• Military Operations
• Procurement
• Project Management
• Situational Awareness
• System Of Systems
• Test And Evaluation

Readers

• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Geospatial Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence Analytics