Army Tactical Command & Control Hardware & Software

Abstract

A portion of this funding line is directly aligned to the Army Network Modernization Priority. This funding line supports the Army Network Modernization Strategy LOE 1, Unified Network, LOE 2 - Common Operating Environment and LOE 4 - Command posts. Project 323, Common Hardware Systems (CHS) is an ACAT III program that is a key enabler of the Army Modernization Priorities in support of the Army's Network Modernization Strategy Lines of Effort: (1) Unified Network Transport, (2) Common Operating Environment, (3) Interoperability, and (4) Command Post Mobility and Survivability. CHS is a mandated Army Strategic Source, as annotated in AR 25-1 that acquires and sustains highly flexible, cost-effective, and simplified non-developmental solutions that integrate the latest and emerging commercial information technology onto the Converged Mission Command Network. Efforts are aligned to support the Network Cross-Functional Team (CFT) capability set approach to achieve network modernization strategy goals. This funding line also supports network solution procurement and sustainment for U.S. Army Reserves, U.S. Army National Guard, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and other Federal agencies. The CHS-5 contract averages approximately 315 contract actions annually. Project C29, the Central Technical Support Facility (CTSF), is the Army's single strategic facility responsible for executing Army Interoperability Certification (AIC) system of system verification/validation checkout, testing, and configuration management for the Army's LandWarNet Baseline. The Centralized Technical Support Facility (CTSF) funding line supports the Army's Network Modernization Strategy Line of Effort LOE 1B Network Enabling Functions. Project C34, the Army Tac C2 Sys Eng project funds the PEO Command, Control, Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T) System-of-Systems engineering, Enterprise and Integration efforts. The system engineering efforts are to facilitate overall network interoperability of all the various programs that must be able to seamlessly connect together while addressing their individual distinct requirements. Efforts address continuing evolution of the network within the PEO C3T portfolio of technology across capability enhancement packages, in line with the Army's capability set strategy, to deliver efficient and effective cross-domain technical solution. Project DD1, Unified Network Technology Transition and Integration (UNTTI) is an RDT&E initiative that enables transport agnostic, high-capacity and resilient tactical communications for expeditionary operations. UNTTI will transition new and improved capabilities with reduced Size, Weight, and Power, while increasing throughput, providing network resiliency through path diversity, and Low Probability of Intercept/Low Probability of Detection. This funding significantly increases the likelihood of successfully transitioning S&T funded projects into the tactical network baseline, by further integrating and testing system prototypes that have achieved Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 7 through prior 6.4 RDT&E funding. This ensures that S&T delivers a high return on investment by inserting enhanced capabilities in accordance with capability set fieldings. In addition, UNTTI resources validation and test efforts, which improve reliability, maintainability and supportability of Tactical Network equipped units. These improvements avoid future costs by mitigating single point failures and hardening the network which ultimately increases network resiliency and unit availability for contingency operations. This funding line is directly aligned to the Army's modernization efforts. Unified Network Technology Transition and Integration (UNTTI) is directly aligned to the Army Network Modernization Strategy Line of Effort 1 (LOE 1) Unified Network and LOE 4, Command Post Mobility and Survivability. These efforts support system development and demonstration, aimed at integration and testing to validate system prototypes meet requirements. Project EJ4, the Command Post Computing Environment (CPCE) implements an integrated, interoperable, cyber-secure, software infrastructure that serves as the host for a unified set of multiple warfighting functional applications within the command post at echelons Battalion to Army Service Component Command (ASCC); eliminating "stove-piped" legacy systems, duplicative or redundant implementations, simplifying future application development efforts, and enhancing interoperability and data sharing across multiple echelons. CPCE software infrastructure and applications reside on the Tactical Services Infrastructure (TSI) hardware and BCCS/TSI servers previously fielded under the TMC/MCS program of record. CPCE/TSI provides the software and hardware infrastructure to host capabilities, such as movement and maneuver applications, network enabling tools (i.e. Cyber Situational Understanding and Tactical Defensive Cyber Operation Infrastructure), collaboration tools (Wave and XMPP Chat Servers), and warfighting function applications. This software infrastructure provides the Army's Common Operating Picture (COP) solution, enabling interoperability between command posts, mounted platforms, and dismounted handheld devices while supporting collaboration with Joint and Unified Action partners. CPCE provides common look and feel (user interface), common data strategy, interoperable tactical messaging/ chat, and essential warfighting capabilities. Project EJ5, the Mounted Computing Environment (MCE), is one of the six computing environments (CEs) formalized by the AAE under the Common Operating Environment (COE) initiative. MCE is now called, Mounted Mission Command - Software (MMC-S), an ACAT II program, after a successful Materiel Development Decision (MDD) briefing in Feb. 2020. MMC-S standardizes end-user environments and enables streamlined deployment of new warfighting applications while leveraging existing hardware under the Joint Battle Command - Platform program. Requirements for MMC-S are established in the AROC approved COE Information Systems Initial Capability Document (IS ICD) and the approved Mounted Computing Environment Requirements Definition Package (RDP). The MMC-S will provide incremental improvements with additional application capabilities over time, and will be interoperable with Command Post and Mobile/Handheld systems. Project EJ6, This funding line is directly aligned to the Army Network Modernization Priority. Efforts are aligned to support the Army's capability set approach to achieve the network modernization strategy. TROPO: Tactical Enhancement supports the evaluation and testing requirements for Troposcatter Transmission (TROPO) capabilities procured and fielded under the Signal Modernization (SIGMOD) funding line, B00010. TROPO will provide redundancy communications in a Satellite denied environment by providing Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) capability over longer ranges and at higher throughput than the current BLOS System. TROPO extends the network by utilizing a significantly reduced SWaP radio verses the current system. TROPO will enable Army units to reduce reliance on costly satellite bandwidth. COMMAND POST NETWORKING: Enables Command Post networking capabilities by providing communications solutions to enable a more survivable Command Post against near peer advisories. The solutions will utilize advanced waveform and antenna improvements to decrease radio frequency detection and interception in the battlefield and will be integrated onto the appropriate platforms to increase Command Post survivability. STS: Tactical Enhancement supports the evaluation and testing requirements for Sustainment Transport System (STS) capabilities procured and fielded under the CSS Communications funding line, BD3501. STS is a data transport capability through satellite communications (SATCOM) and an integrated component of the Unified Network (UN) providing unclassified communications to US Army sustainment units in their support to the warfighter. STS provides network connectivity and enables a satellite communications pathway for logistics, financial management, personnel and health service support information to be exchanged on the battlefield across multiple echelons. Project EK9, Tactical Network Operations Management (TNOM) supports development and testing of the Unified Network Operations (UNO). Unified Network Operations (UNO) is a software-centric suite of Command and Control capabilities, designed to consolidate existing Network Operations (NetOps) tools into a simplified user-friendly application for planning, managing, monitoring, configuring, and securing the Unified Network. The UNO Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) Rapid Prototyping (RP) effort provides initial development and testing of UNO prototype capabilities, through Development Operations (DEVOPS), leveraging Soldier Touch Points (STPs) to obtain user feedback to improve the UNO capabilities. UNO MTA RP efforts are authorized, under the Army Acquisition Executive (AAE) Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) signed 14 May 2019, with a total cost of $85 million RDT&E funds from FY 2019 - FY 2024, for which authority was approved. On 28 June 2021, Army Futures Command (AFC) Commanding General (CG) signed a memorandum approving the UNO Information Systems - Initial Capabilities Document (IS-ICD), to develop a seamless end-to-end Unified Network from enterprise to tactical echelons enabling all warfighting functions. UNO capability will support achieving a unified network through the standardization of multiple tools across Tactical Networks and systems into an integrated, simple application. Project EQ8, Mobile/Handheld Computing Environment (M/HHCE), is one of the six computing environments (CEs) formalized by the Army Acquisition Executive (AAE) under the Common Operating Environment (COE) initiative and supports the Nett Warrior (NW) also known as the Ground Soldier Systems (GSS) program. The program leverages commercial smart devices and secure Army tactical radios, Commercial 4G/LTE/WIFI and cloud-based infrastructure to provide the dismounted leader an integrated mission command and situational awareness system for use during combat operations. The NW system provides leaders electronic real-time information on friendly positions; information about enemy activity and movement; navigational data and map imagery; a collaborative planning tool; and other mission related graphics which effectively puts the power of the entire Army tactical network in the hands of the dismounted leader. The NW hardware is the computational platform that other M/HHCE systems run their applications. The M/HHCE will provide incremental improvements with additional application capabilities over time, and will be interoperable with Command Post CE and Mounted CE systems. Project ER9, Command Post Integrated Infrastructure (CPI2), fields mobile Command Post nodes by integrating mission command solutions into vehicle platforms and mounted shelter systems to enhance the survivability and mobility of command post formations. CPI2 will replace selected elements of the legacy command post to provide improved expeditionary capability, survivability, agility, and scalability for command post formations at all echelons. By integrating mission command warfighting functions on to vehicle platforms, a dispersed command post construct will enable the battle staff to blend in with the overall maneuver formation while giving the commander the ability to synchronize the close fight on the move. Project EW3, Unit Task Reorganization (UTR) funding line supports the Army Network Plan Framework objective to deliver a Standards Based Network Architecture. This will enable modernizing the Mission Command Network through the coordination of a common set of network operations (NetOps) tools and infrastructure development supporting the unit communication staff's ability to conduct Network Planning, Network Provisioning, and Network Management, aligning with the Army's plan for a unified network. UTR provides an integrated planning tool suite; tools and technologies to provision and automate delivery of configurations; and replace stove-piped management systems with integrated tools providing detailed views of the network and its components. The UTR funding line, in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) policy for MTA funding, is leveraged by the Unified Network Operations (UNO) MTA Rapid Prototyping program to achieve its required funding levels. The UTR funding has been re-aligned to the TNOM 654818 / EK9 funding line beginning in FY 2024. The total cost of the UNO Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $85 million RDT&E from FY19 to FY24. The UNO is fully funded across the Future Years Defense Program.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2024
• Source ID: 0604818A_5_2040_PB_2024
• Change Summary Explanation: Project EK9, Tactical Network Operations Management (TNOM) funding increased by $35.749 million to support Unified Network Operations (UNO) Information Systems - Initial Capabilities Document (IS-ICD) requirements for product development of key components of the Unified Network for Department of Defense Information Networks (DODIN) operations for tactical echelons. Project EJ4, Command Post Computing Environment (CPCE) funding increased by $17.316 million for Tactical Data Fabric, Cloud Native environment migration and integration activities.
• Service Agency Name: Army

Entities

Organizations

• United States Army

Tags

Communities of Interest

• C4I
• Cyber
• Energy and Power Technologies
• Human Systems
• Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Command And Control
• Command And Control Systems
• Computer Network Security
• Computer Programming
• Computer Programs
• Computers
• Cross Domain
• Cyberspace Operations
• Information Systems
• Network Architecture
• Operating Systems
• Position (Location)
• Software Development
• Software Testing
• Supply Chain Management
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation

Fields of Study

• Computer science

Readers

• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Cyber
• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Microelectronics
• Space