Distributed Common Ground Systems
Abstract
The DoD Distributed Common Ground/Surface System (DCGS) Program is a cooperative effort between the Services and National Agencies to provide world-wide ground/surface systems capable of receiving, processing, exploiting, and disseminating data from airborne and national reconnaissance sensors/platforms and commercial sources. The DCGS program is developing a family of systems capable of supporting all levels of conflict, interoperable with reconnaissance platforms and sensors, and integrated into the Joint Command, Control, Communication, Computer, and Intelligence (C4I) environment. The program integrates architectures and standards from DCGS Imagery architecture for Imagery Intelligence (IMINT), Joint Airborne SIGINT Architecture (JASA) for Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Joint Airborne Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) Architecture (JAMA) for MASINT, and all-source analyses to Combat Air Forces and Combatant Commanders. The Air Force has been charged by DoD with developing, upgrading and managing the DCGS Integration Backbone (DIB) for all the Services to provide common DCGS enterprise services and interoperability at the data level. AF DCGS provides the Air Force ground systems capable of tasking intelligence sensors, and receiving, processing, exploiting, and disseminating data from airborne and national reconnaissance platforms and commercial sources. AF DCGS is a 'system of systems' interconnected by a robust communications structure to provide data sharing capabilities between intelligence collectors, exploiters, producers, disseminators, and users. AF DCGS has five core locations: two CONUS based and three OCONUS. Several other AF DCGS systems are distributed among Air Force operational units at Numbered Air Force and Air National Guard locations, to support Joint Task Force commanders and Air and Space Operations Centers (AOC). The CONUS based systems are capable of reach back operations via data link and satellite relay connectivity to forward operating sensors. AF DCGS provides critical data and significant support for Time Sensitive Targeting (TST) operations. This support will be enhanced with integration of software tools and data interfaces to the AOC, system changes required for new/upgraded sensors and by the transformation of AF DCGS to a net-centric, service oriented architecture construct. By converting from a stovepipe system of systems to a web-based integrated net centric Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) management capability, AF DCGS will provide the Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC) the capability to: 1) Dynamically visualize and command ISR assets and the information in the AOC 2) Quickly and effectively synchronize AF DCGS ISR operations, collection capabilities, and information with the AOC's combat objectives to improve the TST process and reduce timelines. Using the DIB, AF DCGS modernization is transforming AF DCGS from a proprietary system to a net centric service oriented architecture. This modernization effort, implemented in Block 10.2, will deliver a net centric DCGS capability for the Air Force. Block 10.2 spirals the necessary technologies and tools into its architecture to provide increased capabilities and meet emerging and urgent user operational needs. These spirals will also integrate commercial and government off-the-shelf fact-of-life version upgrades to provide current technologies and achieve necessary application and services. The next series of upgrades will meet the operational need to integrate new and/or improved sensor capabilities and enhance interoperability by migrating to a service oriented architecture and improving data sharing ability in compliance with DoD direction. AF DCGS will continue to modernize its network management and interface capabilities by upgrading and migrating its network to a standardized interface configuration which is easy to expand and adapt to new technologies while growing capacity requirements. Efforts will also focus on network management systems and the ability to manage critical bandwidths to meet operational surges and distributed operational requirements. The Common Imagery Processor (CIP) is the common sensor processing element within the DCGS IMINT architecture. The function of the CIP is to accept airborne imagery data, process it into an exploitable image, and output the image to other elements within DCGS. Efforts continue to upgrade the CIP baseline to maintain currency with upgraded/new sensors. The DCGS-I Testbed is a mobile test environment used by Service and Combat Support Agency program offices to test interoperability interfaces with new sensors, applications, and net centric operations. This testbed also supports the integration and testing of DoD DCGS components prior to introduction into the operational environment. Upgrades to the DCGS-I Testbed will ensure it maintains currency with existing interface standards. AF DCGS participates in the development, testing, and implementation of international standards (to include NATO standardization agreements) to ensure joint, allied, and coalition interoperability. AF DCGS is categorized as Budget Activity 7 because it provides for development of technologies and capabilities in support of operational system development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 0305208F_7_3600_PB_2011
- Change Summary Explanation
- - Funding in FY2009 taken for higher AF priorities.
- Service Agency Name
- Air Force
Entities
Organizations
- United States Air Force
Related Documents
- Child Project: Common Imagery Ground / Surface Systems
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Develop and integrate Block 10.2 into AF DCGS
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Integrate new/improved sensors and increase capacity and data availability.
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Upgrade, improve and manage the DCGS Integration Backbone (DIB).
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Continue upgrade of AF DCGS communications network.
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Continue to evolve DCGS architectures and standards and manage DCGS IPT effort for USD(I)
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Continue DCGS-I Testbed development and upgrades.
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Continue to integrate commercial imagery capability into AF DCGS.
- Child Cost Item: 4926617c0af2fb66c4acd3e129a96b9a
- Child Cost Item: 5127ba610412defd05aebac76c90dfc9
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- Child Project: Common Imagery Processor (CIP)
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Continue to develop the CIP to keep pace with growing sensor baseline. (Baseline includes Global Hawk, F/A-18, and U-2 sensors).
- Child Cost Item: 490476f9f2a06b43417ae746fbc01c1d
- Child Cost Item: 290702243461453156011d51469fec8f