Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S)

Abstract

Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S) is a Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) Force Design (FD) program, which provides the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) with the necessary hardware, software, equipment, and facilities to effectively command, control, and coordinate aviation operations. CAC2S accomplishes the missions with a family of systems to support the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), Naval forces, Joint Services, and Coalition Forces. CAC2S integrates the functions of aviation command and control (C2) into an interoperable system that supports the core competencies of all Marine Corps warfighting concepts. CAC2S, in conjunction with the Marine Air Command and Control System (MACCS) organic sensors, AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR), and the weapon system Composite Tracking Network (CTN) provides enhanced air control, improved situational awareness, sensor integration, full Tactical Data Link integration, airspace and battle planning and command functionality, as well as sensor netting integration (CTN). CAC2S, with these organic MACCS programs, support the tenets of Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and foster joint interoperability. CAC2S Increment I replaced legacy aviation command and control systems in the following Marine aviation agencies: Direct Air Support Center (DASC), Tactical Air Command Center (TACC), Tactical Air Operations Center (TAOC), and Marine Air Traffic Control (MATC). CAC2S is the C2 system that enables the distribution of G/ATOR sensors and is critical to developing Naval and Marine integrated fire control methods. CAC2S sensor date correlation and distribution via the Composite Tracking Network (CTN) enables Marine Air Ground Task Force sensor data to be shared with Naval forces to inform the Joint targeting and decision-making process. In line with Force Design, CAC2S has begun the development and prototyping of an AN/TSQ-197 AC2S Small Form Factor (SFF) variant. The SFF is a CAC2S variant required to meet the needs of Expeditionary Advance Base Operations and Force Design. The SFF variant will possess the same Tactical System, Data Link, and interface capabilities as the CAC2S Increment 1 system with the added benefits of being rapidly deployable, emitting at a lower signature, and reduced size and weight. In addition, the SFF's versatility will be a key enabling capability to support the task organization of the Marine Littoral Regiments (MLRs) as it meets the needs of US Marine Corps Expeditionary Advance Base Operations (EABO). The $2.300M decrease from FY 2023 to FY 2024 is due to a reduction in the scope of support required to continue the development and testing of the SFF variant in FY 2024 as CAC2S transitions to SFF production and fielding, and reduction in the scope required for continued development and analysis to investigate new capabilities associated with the CAC2S FD technology enhancement efforts. In FY 2024: CAC2S will continue the development and testing of a small form factor (SFF) variant prototype of the AN/TSQ-297 Air Command & Control System. This is an approved FD initiative from the Capabilities Development Directorate (CDD) which is to take into account lessons learned from the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) initiatives with 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and war gaming exercises per CMC guidance, in support the USMC Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept, which is an amphibious forward operating unit that will secure, sustain, and maintain warfighters and their weapons systems on a more amorphous and difficult-to-target forward-basing infrastructure. This system variant is to be developed and produced to meet the critical shortfalls of forward deployed small, scalable, survivable aviation C2 nodes capable of performing control of aircraft and missiles necessary for integration and defeat of dynamic targets performed by MAGTF, naval, joint, and national technical enabling capabilities like the current fielded AN/TSQ-297. The SFF variant will be fielded to the Marine Littoral Regiments (MLRs). CAC2S will continue to develop and integrate Naval Integrated Fire Control (NIFC). This initiative allows CAC2S to be a key enabler in the Joint Fight in executing the Kill Web across the MAGTF and Joint Services, linking sensors and weapons in providing fire control solutions from information from multiple sensors. IFC capabilities complement and support sea-based sensor and weapon system extend the Sea Shield's engagement capabilities to provide early warning and engagement of airborne threats to the MAGTF and Naval Forces. CAC2S will continue to develop and integrate the Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) system, ADS-B receiver, and related peripheral equipment and data into CAC2S's AN/TSQ-197 AC2S. CAC2S will be able to leverage information provided by the ADS-B to produce a complete air picture to support commanders in the decision making process. ADS-B ground stations are small and adaptable and will allow CAC2S to reach farther than conventional radar to gather information needed to maintain situational awareness on the battlefield. With the Marine Corps transitioning to Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) the ability to utilize ADS-B will also help enhance system survivability by utilizing a passive capability, vice active radar, to provide vital aircraft information and quickly conduct combat identification. CAC2S will begin to develop and test engineering changes for the integration of its AN/TSQ-297 and AN/MRQ-13 Communications Subsystem onto the M1279 Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and the M1289 trailer. CAC2S will begin the replacement of it current aging prime mover, the legacy HMMWV (Humvee), in FY 2025. Lastly, CAC2S will continue to investigate Force Design Technology Enhancements. It will research new capabilities derived from Force Design and EABO, and conduct analysis on the technical approaches needed to align efforts and prepare for future initiatives. All efforts directly support CAC2S's anticipated roles within EABO and Littoral Operations in a Contested Environment concept of operations, and provide the ability to conduct sea control and sea denial operations both from sea and from key maritime terrain. Analysis is necessary to inform priorities and FD initiatives.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2024
• Source ID: 3373_0206335M_7_1319_PB_2024

Tags

Readers

• Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

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