Distributed Common Ground/Surface Systems

Mission — Distributed Common Ground/Surface Systems source

Air Force Distributed Common Ground System (AF DCGS) weapon system (AN/GSQ-272) is the Combat Air Force (CAF)'s primary Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C2ISR) node providing global orchestration, sense-making, indications & warning, and dissemination of a multitude of sensor data. The AF DCGS mission is to provide Joint Task Force (JTF) Commanders, Joint and Combined Air Component Commanders (JFACC/CFACC), Combatant Commands, and other-directed organizations with global, time-sensitive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) data and fused multi-Intelligence (Multi-INT) products across the continuum of conflict. The AF DCGS weapon system provides capabilities required to connect, direct, and exploit sensors, as well as transform multi-source/multi-domain data into actionable intelligence to find, fix, and track adversary forces and enable simultaneous kill chains at the speed and scale across the continuum of conflict. AF DCGS is also a major component of the DoD intelligence infrastructure and the AF's primary intelligence sense-making element and critical enabler for the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Battle Network. AF DCGS supports Combatant Commanders by leveraging its resilient, distributed cloud architecture, ensuring survivable Command and Control (C2), robust communication capabilities, and rapid sensor integration. AF DCGS is a Multi-INT, federated weapon system capable of exploiting intelligence data from manned platforms, Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), non-traditional ISR platforms, national and commercial satellites, and other collection systems. AF DCGS as the primary C2ISR node has access to a multitude of sensors and data across the Intelligence Community, to include Publicly Available Information (PAI). AF DCGS Analysts leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML), Automation and Augmentation (AAA) technologies to automate and focus their review/analysis of multi-source/multi-domain intelligence across the tactical/national sensor grid and within federated databases to enable target and problem centric, sensor-agnostic analysis and exploitation to address Joint operational requirements. AF DCGS provides time-dominant and tailored fused intelligence to meet Air Operations Center (AOC) and targeting mission requirements and supports sensor to shooter and the kill chain activities across the continuum of conflict. The DCGS analysts use all available data sources and emerging capabilities to enhance their understanding of intelligence/targeting problem sets and provide the required intelligence. Currently, AF DCGS is composed of eight core sites (two active duty worldwide, three active duty regional and three Air National Guard regional), six SIGINT Distributed Mission Sites (four collocated with National Mission Partner sites), three Air National Guard full-motion video sites, and four integration and test sites connected by robust, resilient communications infrastructure. AF DCGS currently supports ongoing operations from in-garrison CONUS and OCONUS-based locations. In alignment with DoD and AF direction, AF DCGS migrated to an open, resilient, distributed cloud architecture to rapidly incorporate modern technologies and tools, new/improved sensor capabilities, and GEOINT, SIGINT and multi-INT mission applications to meet emerging and urgent operational needs. Additionally, DCGS conforms with USD(I&S)'s efforts to improve data sharing through its Common Data Fabric (CDF), as well as the Space Force's efforts with its Unified Data Library (UDL). AF DCGS integrates commercial-off-the-shelf and government-off-the-shelf services and applications to fulfill operational requirements and data sharing requirements across the DoD DCGS community. In FY 2025, PEO C3BM approved the transition to a Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) program, encompassing Mission Applications, Mission Data Services, and DCGS Operations Integration and Transformation, while maintaining a single ACAT III for Network Infrastructure Transformation (NIT). This step was taken to improve responsiveness and expedite minimum viable products to meet warfighter needs on software-centric capabilities. By adopting SWP, the program office can more responsively incorporate warfighter requirements, accelerate the fielding of capabilities, drive swift integration of emerging technologies, and align the agile release trains with this streamlined acquisition process. The SWP structure is scheduled to begin in FY 2026 and will be known as the AF DCGS Software Acquisition Pathway Program in budgeting documents. Efforts within this PE align with USAF investment in ABMS (0604003F), Tech Transition - Air (0604858F), and ISR Transport and Processing (0305240F), formerly Support to DCGS Enterprise, to deliver the Long Range Fires architecture for the DAF BATTLE NETWORK. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, or 0605898F. In FY 2024 $0.646M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $1.141M is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Mission — Common Imagery Ground / Surface Systems source

In FY 2026, AF DCGS will transition from four ACAT III efforts (GEOINT Transformation, SIGINT Transformation, Multi-INT Infrastructure, and Network Infrastructure Transformation) to one Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP), encompassing Mission Applications, Mission Data Services, and DCGS Operations Integration and Transformation (OI&T), and maintain the Network Infrastructure Transformation (NIT) ACAT III. The SWP with its realigned categories will consist of the efforts formerly in the GEOINT Transformation, SIGINT Transformation and Multi-INT Infrastructure ACATs. 1. GEOINT Transformation-1: Rapidly integrates new and updated GEOINT capabilities and enables quick/seamless integration of new sensors, data types, sensor planning, and command and control (C2) capabilities on to the AF DCGS resilient, distributed cloud architecture (mix of private on-premises and Air Force Commercial Cloud architecture to meet mission assured requirements) to support DCGS' analyst sense-making, fusion, object based production and disposition of forces tasks. Leverages mission partner methods and tools to the maximum extent possible. 2. SIGINT Transformation-1: Rapidly integrates new and updated SIGINT capabilities and enables quick/seamless integration of new sensors, data types, sensor planning, command and control (C2), and data link visualization capabilities on to the AF DCGS resilient, distributed cloud architecture (mix of private on-premises and Air Force Commercial Cloud architecture to meet mission assured requirements) to support DCGS' analyst sense-making, fusion, object based production and disposition of forces tasks. Leverages mission partner methods and tools to the maximum extent possible. 3. Multi-Intelligence-1: Rapidly integrates new and updated enterprise services, core shared services and applications to include voice and chat communications, collaboration, and situational awareness, Enterprise Multi-INT Data and Services, Multi-INT fusion, and data analytics capabilities (to include Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), Automation and Augmentation (AAA)) on to the AF DCGS resilient, distributed cloud architecture (mix of private on-premises and Air Force Commercial Cloud architecture to meet mission assured requirements) and support DCGS' analyst sense-making, fusion, object based production and disposition of forces tasks. Rapidly integrates new and updated data exchange and interoperability capabilities in support of USD(I&S)'s Common Data Fabric (CDF) and Space Forces' Unified Data Library (UDL) Initiatives. Addresses program office test and evaluation activities. Performs test activities for entire AF DCGS enterprise. New Construct: Remaining ACAT III Network Infrastructure Transformation: Modernizes the AF DCGS network transport and resilient, distributed cloud architecture to ensure a cyber-resilient, open, scalable, commercial-based, architecture, and required data ingest, transfer, and storage capabilities, collaboration, and content driven discovery for critical reference data. AF DCGS Resilient, Distributed Cloud architecture consists of a mix of on-premises infrastructure/private cloud environment and commercial cloud architecture to meet mission-assured requirements. AF DCGS leverages Unclassified, Secret and Top-Secret Air Force commercial cloud environments. Network infrastructure transformation also handles integration of any required ground line of sight capabilities supporting ISR airborne assets as well as ongoing/planned efforts to converge C2/ISR onto federated, digital infrastructure. AF DCGS Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP): Delivers mission-critical, end-user software applications required to perform global orchestration, sense-making, indications & warning, and dissemination of a multitude of sensor data via Mission Applications, Mission Data Services, and Operations Integration & Transformation sections. The Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) rapidly integrates, develops, tests, evaluates and fields new and updated GEOINT, SIGINT, & Multi-INT capabilities by leveraging COTS/GOTS Software; enables quick/seamless integration of new sensors, data types, sensor planning, and C2 capabilities; and provides data link visualization capabilities on to AF DCGS resilient, distributed cloud architecture (private on-premises and/or commercial cloud environments) to meet mission assured requirements. Mission Applications - GEOINT (formerly GEOINT Transformation FY 2024/FY 2025; Part of SWP in FY 2026) efforts include sensor command and control/planning/mission management, imagery intelligence and full motion video capabilities to support DCGS analysts' global orchestration, sense-making, indications and warning, and integration and dissemination of a multitude of sensor data tasks, all while developing and integrating zero trust and cyber security mandates. Mission Applications - SIGINT (formerly SIGINT Transformation FY 2024/FY 2025; Part of SWP in FY 2026) efforts (sensor C2/planning/mission planning, sensor management as well as sensor emulator capabilities, workflow and exploitation, SIGINT Sensor Data Ingest) support DCGS analyst sense-making, fusion, Indications & Warning (I&W) & Data Dissemination tasks, all while developing and integrating cyber security mandates. Mission Data Services (formerly Part of Multi-INT Transformation FY 2024/FY 2025; Part of SWP in FY 2026) Multi-INT efforts include voice and chat communications, collaboration, and situational awareness, Multi-INT Data and Services, Multi-INT fusion, and data analytics capabilities (to include Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Automation, Augmentation (AAA)), integration of new and updated data exchange and interoperability capabilities in support of USD(I&S)'s Common Data Fabric (CDF) and Space Force's Unified Data Library (UDL) Initiatives and integration of cyber security mandates. Ops Integration and Transformation (Was Part of Multi-INT Transformation FY 2024/FY 2025; Part of SWP in FY 2026): Includes management and funding for AF DCGS Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) environment integrated with AF DCGS non-cloud-based system components ISO agile software development, test, integration and deployment activities. Funds and manages program office test and evaluation activities and commercial cloud efforts. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, or 0605898F. In FY 2024 $0.646M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $1.141M is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $2.315 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative.”

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (7)