Network-Centric Collaborative Targeting

Abstract

Network Centric Collaborative Targeting (NCCT) is the Air Force program of record responsible for developing core technologies and sub-nodal analysis tools to horizontally and/or vertically integrated network collaborative Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensor systems within and across intelligence disciplines. Operational uses of core technologies can include, but are not limited to, Signals Intelligence to Signals Intelligence (SIGINT-SIGINT) correlation and Ground Moving Target Indicator to Signals Intelligence (GMTI-SIGINT) correlation. Operational uses of sub-nodal analysis tools can include, but are not limited to, determining which nodes of the adversary's Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence (C4I) network to engage or protect to achieve desired effects, and modeling execution plans to determine the need to disrupt or monitor the required network aim-points in order to redirect activities based on changing battlefield conditions. NCCT software applications employ Machine-to-Machine (M2M) interfaces and Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity to coordinate sensor cross-cues and collection activities. NCCT correlation and fusion services ingest collection data to produce a single, composite track (geo-location and identification) for high-value targets. NCCT research and development funding supports evolutionary development of the NCCT message set and network management systems (for example Operations Interfaces, Network Controllers, Fusion Engines, Data Guards, Interface to Command & Control, and Interface to Overhead Intelligence Operations (OIO)), the migration of the NCCT technologies to emerging network centric technologies such as Service Oriented Architectures (SOA), global web-enabled services, and satisfying DoD standards and Information Assurance requirements. NCCT Core Technology develops the hardware and software to horizontally integrate dissimilar Joint and Coalition Battle Management, Command & Control (BMC2), and ISR assets and systems into integrated target tracks shared across networked platforms. NCCT Core Technology includes, but is not limited to, network management software, operator interfaces, standard network messages and formats, correlation software and data rules of interaction, NCCT multi-level security hardware and software items, and platform specific Platform Interface Modules (PIMs). Current NCCT-enabled systems include, but are not limited to, the RC-135V/W/S/U RIVET JOINT, COBRA BALL, COMBAT SENT, EC-130H COMPASS CALL, Distributive Common Ground System (DCGS) SIGINT components, Falconer Aerospace Operations Centers (AOC), Forward Processing/Exploitation/Dissemination (FPED), Gorgon Stare (GS), OIO, and multiple airborne coalition partner platforms. Prospective Coalition, Joint or Service systems are required to fund their respective integration, unique core technology improvements/upgrades to support system integration. The FY 2017 RDT&E funding in response to Air Combat Command's validated requirement to allow not only NCCT to sustain the capability to operate in a tactical environment but in addition provide development in the Core Technology to provide enhanced capabilities for an Anti-Access Area Denial (A2AD) strategy in the future. SUTER develops concepts, Tactics/Techniques/Procedures (TTPs) and technologies for synchronizing the capabilities of ISR and non-kinetic capabilities in a coordinated fashion with traditional kinetic weapons to prosecute targets connected together or dependent upon some form of communications network. Suter's planning, execution and assessment capability is implemented in a virtual architecture available to all AOCs, taking advantage of the military value added from the synergies of Joint composite ISR, non-kinetic, and/or kinetic strike packages operating against networked target sets. This virtualized Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) utilizes software applications which employ M2M interfaces and IP communications to impact these target sets by "attacking" or influencing/shaping links, nodes or end points in the network to include: RF and terrestrial links, switches, routers, hubs, servers, IP addresses, cell phones, antennas, radars, microwave relays, SATCOM receivers, transceivers, etc. The three main pieces of the Suter CONOPS include: first, the use of Suter's sub-nodal analysis software to determine which nodes of the adversary's C4I network to engage or protect to achieve desired effects; second, the Suter's distributed operations architecture to tie together relevant planning cells (e.g. AOCs, JIOWC, etc.) so they can collaborate in developing and modeling the execution plan(s) needed to disrupt or monitor the required network aim-points; and third, via Suter's combined network Graphical User Interface (GUI), all involved "players" monitor the plan's execution, provide Near-Real Time (NRT) updates to the status of on-going activities, provide continuous assessment/updates of the execution of the plan, and, within authorities (Rules of Engagement/ROEs), re-direct activities based on changing battlefield conditions. Suter is the technology that assists Combatant Commanders and Components to exercise synchronized dynamic Command and Control (C2) of ISR, kinetic and non-kinetic Joint operations against conventional and terrorist threat networks. Suter provides decision makers and operators supporting airborne, ship-borne, cyber and land-based C2ISR platforms and at supporting locations continuous Predictive Battle-space Awareness (PBA) of the information superiority fight. It also incorporates the M2M capabilities that rapidly synchronize the employment of kinetic weapons, non-kinetic weapons and ISR assets to target challenging threat systems responsively. Suter depicts a dynamic, multi-security-level picture of current and predicted threat network status, capitalizing on data inputs from sources such as Modernized Intelligence Database (MIDB), Net-Centric Collaborative Targeting (NCCT), Joint Targeting Database (JTDB), Computer Network Operations Database (CNODB), NASIC Links and Nodes, and Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS). Suter provides a GUI that can be tailored to support the integration of ISR, kinetic, and non-kinetic composite target packages supporting COCOM and Component specified information superiority effects and objectives. FY 2017 funding is dedicated to upgrading the virtualized SOA for the operational Suter system delivered in FY 2015, consisting of improvements in core technology security/Information Assurance, and addition of additional systems and data types. The NCCT program is categorized as 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.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date: Oct 01, 2017
Source ID: 0305221F_7_3600_PB_2017
Change Summary Explanation: Larger funding requirements in FY 2016 and FY 2017 were the result of (1) an Air Combat Command validated requirement to add capability to NCCT for the transition to an Anti-Access Area Denial (A2AD) strategy and (2) planned upgrades to the operational SUTER system delivered in FY 2015. FY 2016 $2M Congressional Reduction due to NCCT Version 5.0.4 early to need. FY 2017 $1.375M was added to develop Air Domain Awareness, an Air Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) correlation capability.
Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

United States Air Force

Network-Centric Collaborative Targeting

Abstract

Document Details

Entities

Organizations

Tags

Communities of Interest

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

Fields of Study

Readers

Technology Areas

Related Documents