Family of Gateways
Abstract
Funding supports Family of Gateways study (acquisitions current and proposed), analysis, enhancement, development, integration, costing, demonstration, test, and evaluation efforts that will allow joint combat forces to exchange information quickly and accurately by bridging discrete airborne, terrestrial, maritime, and space-based C4ISR networks producing operational effects not possible within individual networks. Gateway functions include enabling interoperability between data formats, protocols, and communication mediums. Additionally, gateway functions extend the connectivity range, consolidate data from multiple networks into high capacity links for transmission to key C2ISR nodes, route information between disadvantaged users, and fuse/correlate data from multiple sources to improve accuracy. Gateway functions also provide application hosting, shared data storage, on-demand information access, smart data forwarding, and system monitoring/network management. Funding in this project will also support requests by the warfighter such as the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN), 5th to 4th and 5th to 5th Generation efforts, and the STRATCOM Distributed Nuclear Command and Control (DNC2) capabilities. Additionally, funding will support activities associated with the Joint Aerial Layer Network (JALN) Enterprise Analysis of Alternatives and follow-on recommendation, in line with applicability of existing TDL performance, upgrade plans and engineering analysis of system designs and TDN Performance Improvements. Efforts in this project include waveform, ground, and quick reaction capability activities. Waveforms: Waveform activities include, but are not limited to Common Link Integration Processing (CLIP), Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL), and 5th to 4th Generation efforts. CLIP is a software-only, platform-independent middleware application that provides gateway services between diverse message sets and waveforms. CLIP will initially be fielded on the B-1 and B-52 platforms. SADL integrates US Air Force close air support aircraft with the networked battlefield via the US Army's Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS). The 5th to 4th Generation gateway facilitates sharing of 5th Generation aircraft track data with 4th Generation aircraft as well as C2 nodes. Ground: Ground activities include, but are not limited to the Joint Air Defense System Integrator (JADSI), Pocket J, Link 16 Alaska (LAK), Tactical Edge Network C2 (TEN C2), and Joint Range Extension (JRE)/JRE Transparant Multi-Platform Gateway Equipment Package(JTEP). Funding will support enhancements to the interoperability and capabilities of fielded gateways through processing capability upgrades, operating system updates, display/graphical user interface upgrades, incorporation of additional messaging standards and protocols, and completion of gateway architecture fielding. Quick Reaction Capability: Quick reaction capability activities include, but are not limited to, BACN and Beyond Line of Sight Command and Control (BLOS C2). Funding will support AF rapid acquisition requirements for communications bridging of waveforms through gateway technology. Activities also include studies and analysis to support both current program planning and execution and future program planning efforts for Family of Gateways. This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD), it has passed Milestone B approval and is conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full-rate production.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2015
- Source ID
- 655262_0604281F_5_3600_PB_2015
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