Shipboard IW Exploit

Abstract

The Shipboard Information Warfare (IW) programs are classified Information Warfare/Electronic Warfare (IW/EW) tactical cryptologic systems supporting all facets of Assured Command and Control, Battlespace Awareness, Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare/Integrated Fires (EMW/IF) modes of global engagement. These programs provide both Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Group combatant commanders with real-time indications and warnings (I&W) through acquisition ("Find") and localization ("Fix") of Signals of Interest (SOIs) as well as provide the Surface Fleet's only EW non-kinetic capabilities ("Finish"). As an incremental acquisition program, Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding is required to: rapidly develop and integrate new technologies and associated new operational capabilities to pace both known and future signal threats; transition Pre-Planned Product Improvement (P3I) upgrades into the system's hardware/software configuration; and deliver to fielded systems as required to satisfy Fleet requirements. Program funding incorporates P3I, new Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) or Government-Off-the-Shelf (GOTS) based technologies and software into the existing systems to address Fleet priorities and capability gaps or to combat known threats. Funding focuses on developing and delivering expanded non-kinetic EW capabilities and net-centric Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) to meet intended interoperability objectives through Fleet defined Common Core Architectures (CCA) to enable application hosting services. Capability development is in accordance with Presidential direction and strategic objectives while also supporting multiple Operational Plans (OPLANS), Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), and communications challenged scenarios or Anti-Access Area Denial (A2AD); further details held at a higher classification level). Ship's Signal Exploitation Equipment (SSEE) Family of Systems (FoS) will continue development and integration of capabilities which can operate in communication challenged environments for the SSEE Increment F, SSEE Modifications, and Spectral systems. Funding will bring enhanced signals exploitation and expanded SOIs processing capabilities to fielded systems and supports development and integration efforts to fuse data produced and distributed by Shipboard IW/Information Operations (IO) systems with other intelligence data at multiple classification levels to provide the data to shipboard combat systems to support kinetic and non-kinetic fires. Data Fusion can also be used to enable a more complete understanding and more agile and effective exploitation within the electromagnetic spectrum. SSEE Increment F (and its variants) is the primary, currently fielded system providing full-scope, simultaneous capability, while system variants bring a new dimension of afloat Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities by providing advanced scalability and modularity for mission planners to execute. SSEE Modifications is a classified tactical signals intelligence frequency extension capability integrating and interoperating with the SSEE Increment F host system and is broken into two major components: Paragon, which provides simultaneous detection, collection, processing, IO, and display of communication intelligence data from hostile, high threat, and adversary platforms in select frequency ranges not prosecuted or countered with the host system; and the Graywing subsystem which is an advanced common data link system with SSEE Increment F systems. Spectral is the Navy's next-generation SIGINT, EMW, and IO weapons system enabling both maritime IW/EW for both Naval Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Group operations. Spectrals primary objective is to provide our Navy's operators with the most capable Radio Frequency (RF) Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) collection and exploitation weapon's system available to support the widest range of maritime strategic and tactical mission areas, including I&W, Targeting, and Ship's Self Defense. Spectral provides scalable, mission configurable, and modular capabilities using a common user interface through an open software architecture to allow rapid integration and deployment of special use capabilities satisfying Navy and Joint maritime intelligence requirements beyond what existing systems can provide. The details of the ICADS and Horizon sub-projects are classified SECRET and are submitted annually to Congress in the classified budget justification books. In FY 2023, SSEE Increment F will continue P3I and software development to provide enhanced capabilities into the SSEE Increment F system and its variants by continuing to develop, refine, and test new, unexplored and unexploited cyber capabilities in alignment with Joint and service level cryptologic requirements. These include, but are not limited to advanced Medusa applications and techniques, signal collection and exploitation capabilities through added signal processing capacity and data flows (details held at higher classification), capability drop packages to deliver capability to the Fleet. Develop and deliver SIGINT and EW capabilities based upon the warfighter identified FY 2023 SOIs threats (updated annually) for integration into the SSEE Increment F systems (including its variants) and deliver as required to meet Fleet requirements. Continue the architecture, network performance specifications, and hosting environment to bring NSAnet afloat to all Naval platforms, after completing NSAnet afloat on large deck platforms in FY22, by deploying NTDN while applying national cybersecurity standards and initiatives to bring advanced inter-strike group network capabilities able to operate in any environment while continuing to integrate cryptologic systems with shipboard combat systems for tightly coupled mission execution across the Navy. In FY 2023, Spectral continues the development of two Production Representative Articles (PRA) systems (Ashore and Afloat) in support of lab-based and afloat testing events and system certification as well as commencing deployment of capability drops to SSEE FoS. Spectral will finalize initial development efforts updating enhanced mission sets, to be incrementally delivered to the Fleet through capability drops while developing virtual software environments for enhanced configuration management through Web-based services. Lastly, Spectral will continue development and engineering for Spectral's Advanced RF aperture solutions and Active Electronically Steered Array (AESA) topside. In FY 2023, SSEE Modifications will continue hardware and software development to bring advanced capabilities to the Fleet for simultaneous detection, collection, processing, electronic warfare and display of communication intelligence data from hostile, high threat and adversary platforms in select extended frequency ranges not prosecuted today.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2023
• Source ID: 2134_0304785N_5_1319_PB_2023

Tags

Fields of Study

• Computer science

Readers

• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

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