Long-Haul Communications - DCS

Mission— Long-Haul Communications - DCS

The Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) is the Department of Defense's (DoD's) consolidated worldwide telecommunications infrastructure that provides end- to-end information transport for DoD operations to the warfighters and the Combatant Commanders via a robust Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence information long-haul transport infrastructure. The DISN, seamlessly spanning the full spectrum from terrestrial to space and strategic to tactical domains, provides the interoperable telecommunications connectivity required to plan, implement, and support all operational missions, anytime. DISN services reach the edge of the communications network; the warfighter can access them worldwide. Continual enhancement of the DISN is needed to provide optimal network resources to the warfighter. The Defense Red Switch Network (DRSN) is a global, secure voice service providing the President, the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands (COCOMs) and selected agencies with Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) secure voice and video conferencing capabilities and higher classification levels. The DRSN consists of Military Department and Agency-owned secure voice switches connected by a DISA provided transport backbone. The RDT&E funding supports the following efforts: DISN Networking - Tech Refresh (TR) (formally known as Next Generation Networking Technologies): Provides engineering technical expertise to update the global network with the latest technologies. DRSN Peripheral and Component Re-Design and MLSV2: Supports Peripheral and Component Re-Design to continue interoperability between DRSN and its operators. This capability is not commercially available and satisfies unique military requirements for multi-level secure voice services and conferencing capabilities. Additionally, RDT&E funding supports the development, testing, and fielding of a prototype of the modern Multi-Level Secure Voice and Video (MLSV2) conference capability. The MLSV2 prototype effort will modernize voice, video and chat conferencing capability providing a flexible and interoperable capability through standardization of protocols and interfaces as well as orchestration between hardware (HW) and software (SW). The MLSV2 initiative will show future possibilities for classified conferencing at three classification levels with the same system. DoD Mobility: The virtual/zero desktop infrastructure and zero-sign on experience will enable the warfighter to access mobile device applications by entering credentials once. The warfighter will then be automatically verified as he or she accesses additional applications. Additionally, it supports the continued evolution and expansion of Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) Capabilities for unclassified mobility within the Department. The Unified Endpoint Management Capabilities are a class of software tools that provide a single management interface for mobile devices, enhancing user experience for the warfighter and COCOMs. The Mobility program is also expanding research on Derived Credential capabilities, which allows for the automation of the operations, administration, maintenance, and provisioning functions of unclassified and classified mobile endpoints.

Mission— DISN Systems Engineering Support

The Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) RDT&E Funding supports the following: DISN Networking: TR (formally known as Next Generation Networking Technologies): Provides engineering technical expertise to update the global network with the latest technologies. These new technologies provide protected and assured services for critical global, all theater support to the warfighter as well as other DoD and federal customers that consume services from the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN). Specific technical focus is on assured, dynamic global communications networks that can operate under various adversarial threat and risk conditions. Other RDT&E investments are made in ensuring operational and network operating systems that instrument and automate the operations, administration, maintenance, and provisioning functions creating a single DISN-wide view for network managers and operators. DRSN: Supports Peripheral and Component Re-Design between DRSN and its operators. The efforts within this program satisfy unique military requirements for multi-level secure voice services and conferencing capabilities in support of the Defense Red Switch Network (DRSN), a critical component of the National Military Command System (NMCS). Commercial equipment is not certified by the NSA to perform necessary encryption requirements of DRSN and Secure Voice Conferencing. Additionally, RDT&E funding supports the development, testing, and fielding of a prototype of the modern Multi-Level Secure Voice and Video (MLSV2) conference capability. The MLSV2 effort will provide a modern, flexible, and interoperable voice, video, and chat conferencing capability through standard protocols, interfaces, and hardware (HW) and software (SW) orchestration. MLSV2 will permit conferencing at three classification levels with one system. DoD Mobility: Mobility is leading the research, development, and deployment of Enterprise Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and classified mobile technologies. The goal of this effort is to increase information sharing and use of secure mobile devices across the global DoD. The continued evolution and expansion of mobility capabilities will revolutionize the way Combatant Commands, Services, and Agencies work by enabling on-demand access to services and information anytime, anywhere.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (3)