Distributed Common Ground/Surface Systems
Abstract
As the sole joint interoperability certification agent, the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) provides test and evaluation (T&E) services to the Distributed Common Ground/Surface Systems (DCGS) Family of Systems (FoS), a major component of the Defense Intelligence Enterprise (DIE). The DIE enables the joint intelligence process and the planning and direction, collection, processing and exploitation, analysis and production, dissemination and integration, and evaluation and feedback of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) needed to answer priority intelligence requirements (PIRs) across military operations. Answering PIRs enables leaders to take decisive military action. DIE components are improving battlespace awareness (BA) through the modernization and evolution of how intelligence is delivered to commanders. Part of this evolution is the development of modernized DIE test, evaluation, and assessment concepts to improve senior leader Military Intelligence Program (MIP) management and investment decisions. The goal is to develop real-time, continuous, metrics collection combined with interactive health and status visualization methods to provide quality data for leadership decision making at the speed of need. Operational testing addresses critical operational issues of a system's effectiveness in combat-like environments. Additionally, operational testing provides key stakeholders and decision makers an independent evaluation of a system’s operational effectiveness, suitability, and cybersecurity posture. Interoperability testing directly contributes to the DoD’s success by ensuring that Military forces, units and/or systems, along with US mission partners, can share the data, information, materiel, and services required to operate collaboratively and effectively. Decision makers must understand the capabilities and risks of new technologies and systems as they are fielded onto warfighters’ hands at an increasingly faster pace. The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security (OUSD(I&S)) sponsored a Capabilities Based Assessment that resulted in an Initial Capability Document (ICD) and Joint Requirements Oversight Council Memorandum ICD for the DCGS Enterprise. These form the foundational evaluation framework for the DIE. Additionally, per the 2022 National Defense Strategy and OUSD(I&S) direction, JITC supports T&E and independent validation of DIE digital transformation initiatives’ interoperability, effectiveness, suitability, and survivability. Tenets for this transition and MIP-wide modernization, are outlined in the OUSD(I&S) ISR Architecture Convergence Study and follow-on strategic guidance within Project Herald, also known as the Defense Intelligence Digital Transformation Campaign Plan.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 0305208K_6_0400_PB_2025
- Change Summary Explanation
- The decrease of -$-0.142 in FY 2025 is due to contract efficiency for exploration support of Tactical Data Link T&E tools in support of test concepts for geolocating Electronics Intelligence.
- Service Agency Name
- Defense Information Systems Agency
Entities
Organizations
- Defense Information Systems Agency
Related Documents
- Child Project: Distributed Common Ground/Surface Systems
- Child Accomplishment: Distributed Common Ground/Surface Systems (DCGS)