N101-047 TITLE: Integrated Communications System-Next

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: ACAT 1D - VA Class & SBSD Submarine

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: Objective: Create a fully integrated and robust next generation Integrated Communication System (ICS-Next) that provides the internal communication infrastructure that supports the conduct of submarine tactical and non-tactical operations, both at sea and pier side. The ICS-Next should leverage current and emerging advances in shipboard networking, COTS communication components, and service oriented architectures, all of which are expected to significantly improve the flexibility to meet future shipboard communication needs and to reduce the submarine''s total cost of ownership (TOC).

DESCRIPTION: Current submarine interior communication systems are faced with limitations in reliability, ability to reconfigure, and supportability. Advances in communications technology using commercial standards and open architectures are expected to offer a significant improvement in functionality, reliability and on-board information exchange with a significantly reduced shipboard footprint, reduced installation costs and reduced sustainment costs. The next generation of interior communication systems should seamlessly communicate among all members of the crew the visual, audio, and operational information critical to ship safety, ship performance, and successful mission execution. A robust ICS-Next should take advantage of emerging commercial technologies and open architecture (OA) standards that promote advanced concepts of ship operation. The following ICS-Next features represent the principal R&D Challenges:

* Implementation for IA accreditation, encryption separation of voice and data communications and bridge between communication and tactical systems. * Separation of voice/data domains for quality of service
* Compatibility of wireless technology with the submarine electromagnetic environment, power and frequency limitations and complete shipboard coverage without "dead spots"
* Peak loading capabilities, support of battle station and casualty communication loading.
* Integration of methodologies with the Tactical System (information transport, personnel paging, alerts, etc) PHASE I: Investigate and specify an open architecture for the ICS-Next that meets current and emerging shipboard communication requirements including IA, that leverages shipboard fiber optic investments and that addresses the evolution to Service Oriented Architectures (SOA). Identify new and advanced technologies and commercial standards that will allow for the cost effective wireless communication and networking of ship communication devices, enables increased mission effectiveness, and enhances total ship management objectives. Provide an OA based approach that impacts TOC and addresses platform consolidation, system fault-tolerance, robustness, extensibility, and scalability. PHASE II: Develop a prototype system that demonstrates the Phase I ICS-Next OA/SOA architecture and functionality that is compatible with shipboard environments such as the VA Block improvement program and surface combatant upgrades. Conduct an analysis of the acquisition, and total ownership costs for shipboard configurations PHASE III: Design and implement a deployable OA/SOA-based ICS platform and functionality for Submarine and Surface Platforms. Evolve the ICS-Next architecture and design for backfit and new construction platforms to achieve TOC benefits through common system acquisition approach and implementation. PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Commercial maritime environments (e.g. cruise ship, merchant marine), as well as industrial and power generation plants represent potential opportunities to offer ICS-Next functionality and SOA-based approaches as a COTS-based, cost reducing product. REFERENCES:
1. "The CANES Initiative: Bringing the Navy Warfighter onto the Global Information Grid", By OPNAV N6, Cmdr. Phil Turner December 2007. 2. Consolidated Afloat Network and Enterprise Services (CANES) Industry Day by Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (PEO C4I).

3. SPAWAR N00039-09-R-0027 - Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) - SYNOPSIS / DRAFT RFP.

KEYWORDS: shipboard and interior communications; submarine integrated communications; CANES; ISSN; wireless networking; service oriented architecture

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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