N121-106 TITLE: Technologies/Methods for enabling Transactional Interfaces

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Command and Control Processor (C2P) ACAT II

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted". The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: To define a set of technologies and or methods that will enable transactionally based data links yet decouple the internal interfaces to the maximum extent possible in a way that can be leveraged across many different systems.

DESCRIPTION: Combat systems exchange tactical information over data links which prescribe unique sequences of events known as transactions that must occur for an information exchange to take place. Historically the transactional nature of these data links has led to equally closed and transactionally based internal interfaces between the combat system Computer Software Configuration Item (CSCI) and the data link processing CSCIs. This tight coupling between internal interfaces and the data links has precluded the DoD's ability to easily leverage modern communication technologies to provide rapid insertion of capability to the end users. This also precludes our ability to migrate tactical data link functionality into the cloud-based architecture to support "APP Store" capability to hand held devices for applying "Power to the Edge" command and control doctrine. Additionally, over time each system has developed unique and frequently proprietary methods to interface internal components that leads to the DoD repetitively procuring the essentially the same capability across each different system employing data links.

PHASE I: Assess the feasibility of developing a method to enable transactionally based data links. Determine if a data/architecture model can be developed such that incoming C2 data can be aggregated and analyzed in a manner that enables system understanding of multiple systems. Determine what kinds of interfaces can be decoupled and provide a analysis to what extent the decoupling will impact development. Determine how to evolve technology to support Tactical Data Link functionality to hand held devices using an APP Store approach. Define a high-level architecture for the system and provide a roadmap for development of Phase II prototype of the system.

PHASE II: Develop a prototype system to provide Technologies and Methods for enabling Transactional Interfaces. Demonstrate that the prototype is able to aggregate and analyze incoming CSCI data and provide C2 operator with modern communications technologies to interact with combat systems with greater ease. Develop an APP prototype to provide initial Tactical Data Link capability. Demonstrate how the system would interact with combat systems utilizing decoupled and non-proprietary technologies to allow for eventual rapid insertion for fleet use. Determine what additional capabilities are required to provide a fully developed methodology to provide decoupled and easily developed transactional interfaces for data link integration to multiple systems for the fleet. Work being done under Phase II will be classified Secret.

PHASE III: Work with the Navy C2 Program of Record sponsor � PMW-150 GCCS-M Program Office - to expand prototype and prepare for transition of the Transactional Interfaces into the Navy C2 architecture for eventual fielding at ashore and afloat locations. Analyze and address Information Assurance Certification & Accreditation requirements. Demonstrate the Transactional Interfaces in a Sea Trial experiment and evaluate for military utility. The experiment shall be deployed on a US Navy Secret network, with at least one ashore instance, one command ship, and two or more subordinate afloat units. Work being done under Phase III will be classified Secret.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: A successful implementation of the Transactional Interfaces should yield a technology foundation that can be similarly applied to other distributed enterprises. Navy processes are unique only in their application domain. The technology should be adaptable to other environments and other systems involving data links. The technology and know-how developed by the provider will support a private sector business model if desired.

REFERENCES:
1. INTRODUCTION TO TACTICAL DIGITAL INFORMATION LINK J AND QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
FM 6-24.8, MCWP 3-25C, NWP 6-02.5, AFTTP(I) 3-2.27

2. AIR LAND SEA APPLICATION CENTER, JUNE 2000

3. "Understanding Link 16, A Guidelines for United States Navy and United States Marine Corps Operators", September 2004.

KEYWORDS: data links; combat systems, interfaces; command and control; link 16; tactical information

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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