Distributed Common Ground/Surface Systems
Abstract
Air Force Distributed Common Ground System (AF DCGS) is the Combat Air Force (CAF) weapon system for planning, direction, collection, processing, exploitation, production, dissemination, and problem centric, sensor-agnostic analysis of data. AF DCGS weapon system provides capabilities required to connect, direct and exploit sensors and transform multi-source/multi-domain data into actionable intelligence to find, fix, and target adversary forces and shorten the kill chain. AF DCGS is also a major component of the DoD DCGS, the system is designed to complement and interoperate with the DoD, Army, Navy and Marine Corps DCGS, and a key provider/consumer of the sensing grid and Joint All Domain C2 (JADC2) & Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) Efforts. The AF DCGS mission is to provide Joint Task Force (JTF) Commanders, Air Component Commanders, Unified Commands, and other directed organizations with global, time-sensitive ISR across the spectrum of military operations. AF DCGS is a multi-INT, federated weapon system (AN/GSQ-272) capable of exploiting intelligence data from manned platforms, remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), non-traditional ISR platforms, national and commercial satellites and other collection systems. AF DCGS serves as the main "Sense-Making” organization within the Air Force ISR Sensing Grid and has access to a multitude of sensors and data across the Intelligence Community, to include publicly available information (PAI). AF DCGS Analysts leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML), Automation, Augmentation (AAA) technologies to focus their search for multi-source/multi-domain intelligence across the tactical/national sensor grid and within federated databases to enable target and problem centric, sensor-agnostic analysis and exploitation to address Joint operational requirements by providing a common means to provide intelligence to field commanders and in support of the Air Operations Center (AOC) mission requirements and supports the "kill chain across the full range of military operations”. The DCGS analysts use all available data source and emerging capabilities, including AAA to enhance their understanding of intelligence/targeting problem sets and provide the required intelligence. Currently, AF DCGS is composed of eight core sites (two active duty worldwide, three active duty regional and three Air National Guard regional), three remote Air Force Forces (AF FOR) sites, six SIGINT Distributed Mission Sites (four collocated with National Mission Partner), three Air National Guard full-motion video sites, three support sites, one training site, and three integration and test sites. AF DCGS currently supports ongoing operations from forward deployed and in-garrison CONUS and OCONUS-based locations. AF DCGS provides integrated ISR by providing quality, fused Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) tailored to the warfighter for all levels of conflict. In alignment with DoD and AF direction, AF DCGS is migrating to an open architecture to rapidly incorporate new technologies and tools to easily integrate new and/or improved sensor capabilities, as well as improved mission applications to meet emerging and urgent operational needs. AF DCGS is also aligned with USD(I)'s efforts to improve data sharing through its Common Data Fabric. AF DCGS integrates services and applications from both commercial-off-the-shelf and government-off-the-shelf sources to the maximum extent possible to fulfill operational requirements and data sharing requirements across the DoD DCGS community. AF DCGS consists of a hybrid cloud (mix of private on-premise and public commercial cloud) architecture. Program management consists of four ACAT III efforts: GEOINT Transformation, SIGINT Transformation, Multi-INT Infrastructure, and Network Infrastructure Transformation. 1. GEOINT Transformation: Rapidly integrates new and updated GEOINT capabilities (Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS)/Government Off-The-Shelf(GOTS)/Custom software), enables quick/seamless integration of new sensors, data types, sensor planning, and command and control (C2) capabilities into the open architecture framework. Leverages mission partner methods and tools to the maximum extent possible. 2. SIGINT Transformation: Rapidly integrates new and updated SIGINT capabilities (COTS/GOTS/Custom s/w), enables quick/seamless integration of new sensors, data types, sensor planning, command and control (C2) capabilities into the open architecture framework. Leverages mission partner methods and tools to the maximum extent possible. 3. Multi-INT Transformation: Rapidly integrates new and updated enterprise applications (COTS/GOTS/Custom s/w), to include voice and chat communications, collaboration and situational awareness, multi-INT fusion, and data analytics capabilities (to include Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning AI/ML, Automation, and Augmentation (AAA)). Also includes Intelligent Modeling and Predictive Analysis of Cyberspace Targeting (IMPACT) program, which develops concepts, Tactics/Techniques/Procedures (TTPs) and technologies for synchronizing ISR and non-kinetic capabilities. Rapidly integrates new and updated data exchange and interoperability capabilities in support of USD(I)'s Common Data Fabric (CDF) Initiative. Addresses program office test and evaluation activities 4. Network Infrastructure Transformation: Continue to update the AF DCGS infrastructure to a cyber-resilient, open, scalable, commercial-based, architecture, improving data ingest, transfer, and storage capabilities, collaboration, and content driven discovery. AF DCGS operates in a hybrid cloud environment, consisting of on Open Architecture (OA) DCGS Platform as a Service, on-premise/private cloud portion and Virtual ISR Integration Enclave (VI2E) unclassified, Secret and Top Secret environment as the commercial/public cloud portion. Network infrastructure transformation also handles integration of additional line of site capabilities. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, and 0606398F. In FY21, $0.000M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY22, $0.800M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2023
- Source ID
- 0305208F_7_3600_PB_2023
- Change Summary Explanation
- The FY 2022 President's Budget submittal did not reflect FY 2023 through FY 2026 funding. Therefore, an explanation of the change between the two budget positions for FY2023 cannot be made in a relevant manner.
- Service Agency Name
- Air Force
Entities
Organizations
- United States Air Force
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