Air/Ocean Tactical Applications

Mission — METOC Data Collection, Dissemination, Decision Spt source

The major work of the Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) Data Collection, Dissemination and Decision Support Project is to provide warfighters with an information advantage in both permissive and data-denied conditions through the sensing, monitoring, management and dissemination of critical physical battlespace environmental data, from the sea floor to the ionosphere. Efforts falling within the Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) Data Collection, Dissemination and Decision Support Project provide future capabilities to sense and monitor the battlespace environment for near-time situational awareness, assimilation into high resolution numerical weather and ocean prediction models, and the current environment for use in battle management and decision support applications to optimize fleet operations. Under this project METOC data is optimized, formatted and compressed for dissemination to naval and DoD warfighters. The development and integration of acoustic, electromagnetic and electro-optic transmission/attenuation models and algorithms within these decision aids allow warfighters to assess and optimize weapon, sensor and communications system's performance. The efforts within this project, combined with those of the METOC Data Assimilation and Modeling (Project 2342), serve to provide full-spectrum battlespace environment characterization and prediction to protect naval forces and infrastructure and optimize naval operations and planning.

Mission — Air/Ocean Tactical Applications source

Understanding and accurately predicting the maritime environment is a naval warfighting advantage. Effective meteorological and oceanographic modeling depends upon a network of advanced, reliable sensors below, on and above the world's oceans. Combined with state-of-the-art computational infrastructure, the Navy-Marine Corps Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) team delivers 24/7 observations, precise forecasts and operational recommendation to commanders. The Air Tactical Applications (AOTA) Program Element (PE) is aligned with the Navy's maritime strategy to enhance future METOC mission capabilities supporting naval warfighters worldwide. New state-of-the art government and commercial technologies are identified, transitioned, demonstrated and then integrated into Combat Systems and programs of record to provide capabilities that provide real-time and near-real-time operational effects of the physical environment on the performance of combat forces and their new and emerging platforms, sensors, systems and munitions. The AOTA program element focuses on sensing and characterizing and predicting the littoral and deep-strike battlespace in the context of regional conflicts and crisis response scenarios. Projects in this PE transition state-of-the art sensing, assimilation, modeling and decision aid technologies from government and commercial sources. Unique project development efforts include atmospheric and oceanographic data assimilation techniques, forecast models, data base management systems and associated software for use in mainframe, desktop and laptop computers. Model data, products and services can be used by forward-deployed personnel or in a reach-back mode to optimize sensor placement and force allocation decisions. Global Geospatial Information and Services efforts within this program address the bathymetric needs of the Navy. Also developed are algorithms to process new satellite sensor data for integration into Navy and Marine Corps decision support systems and for display as part of the common operational and tactical pictures. In addition, the projects provide for demonstration and validation of specialized atmospheric and oceanographic instrumentation and measurement techniques, new sensors, communications and interfaces. Included are new capabilities to assess, predict and enhance the performance of current and emerging undersea warfare and mine warfare weapons systems. AOTA capabilities are designed to support the latest versions of the Global Command and Control System and specific unit-level combat systems. This PE develops technological upgrades for the U.S. Naval Observatory's Master Clock system to meet requirements of Department of Defense communications, cryptographic, intelligence, geolocation, and targeting systems; develops near-real-time earth orientation predictions; develops very precise determination of positions of both faint and bright stars; and supports satellite tracking and space debris studies. Major emphasis areas include the Naval Integrated Tactical Environmental System Next Generation (NITES-Next) and the METOC Data Acquisition, the METOC Data Assimilation & Modeling, the Precise Timing and Astrometry, the Fleet Synthetic Training, the Tactical Environmental Support, Decision Support Products & Dissemination, the Earth System Prediction Capability projects, and the Remote Sensing Capability Development. Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P) efforts necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment are funded in this PE. Most of the work in this PE can be classified between Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 (system/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment) and TRL 7 (system prototype demonstration in an operational environment). Due to the number of efforts in this PE, the programs described herein are representative of the work included in this PE.

Mission — METOC Data Acquisition source

The major work of the Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) Data Acquisition Project is to provide future mission capabilities to warfighters allowing them to detect and monitor the conditions of the physical environment throughout the entire battlespace. The most promising new sensor technologies (including unmanned vehicles, tactical sensor exploitation, in-situ sensors) are transitioned from the government's and commercial industry's technology base. These new sensor technologies are demonstrated, validated and integrated into operational programs for warfighters. These new sensor capabilities provide timely and accurate METOC data to operational and tactical commanders. METOC data requirements have evolved with emphasis on naval warfare shifting to littoral and deep strike battlespace. The need to accurately characterize dynamic conditions are crucial in planning and executing warfare operations and effectively allocating force weapon and sensor systems. Routinely available data sources, such as climatology, oceanographic and meteorological numerical models are necessary but not sufficient to support the littoral and deep strike regions. Operational sensors are deployed great distances from the target area of interest. The challenge is to collect and disseminate METOC data in variable and dynamic littoral environmental conditions or in denied, remote or inaccessible areas over extended periods of time. This project: 1) provides the means to rapidly and automatically acquire a broad array of METOC data using off-board and on-board sensors; 2) provides an on-scene assessment capability for the tactical commander; 3) provides the tactical commander with real-time METOC data and products for operational use; 4) demonstrates and validates the use of tactical workstations and desktop computers for processing and display of METOC data and products; 5) demonstrates and validates techniques which employ data compression, connectivity and interface technologies to obtain, store, process, distribute and display these METOC data and products; 6) develops new charting and bathymetric survey techniques necessary to reduce hazards to navigation and improve forecast accuracy.

Mission — METOC Data Assimilation and Mod source

The Battlespace Data Assimilation and Prediction Project (2342) enables the future warfighter to leverage observed environmental data gathered under Project 2341 (METOC Data Acquisition) by assimilating data into and fusing them with sophisticated high-resolution (spatial and temporal) assessment and prediction models made possible by high-performance computing. These models gain increasing importance as weapons and sensors grow in sophistication and complexity, making them even more sensitive to the effects of the natural environment. Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) Processing enables full understanding of the limitations and constraints imposed by ocean and atmosphere, in space and time, thus quantifying and minimizing their impact on weapons, sensors, and mission. However, METOC Processing itself is limited by the temporal and spatial resolutions at which data are collected and numerically analyzed and predicted. Thus Projects 2341 and 2342 must remain aggressive in delivering higher and higher resolutions, demanding greater and greater computational and database capacities. METOC Processing efforts must also rise to the challenge of assimilating smaller-scale phenomena, particularly in the littorals, and predicting their spatial and temporal effects, as stated by Fleet and Force Commanders who require remote autonomous, clandestine, littoral battlespace sensing in near-shore areas to enable Sea Shield & Sea Basing. This next step in the Information Warfare (IW) Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (TCPED) continuum, METOC Processing, is critical to fully characterize the physical battlespace environment in real-time and in predictive/forecasting modes and gives the warfighter a decisive advantage in the complex blue-water, littoral and deep-strike battlespaces.

Mission — Precise Time and Astrometry source

The Precise Timing and Astrometry (PTA) project funds research and development of improvements for the Master Clock (MC) System, the DoD Time Transfer capability, the Earth Orientation System, and the Celestial Reference Frame (CRF) System. The MC System and Time Transfer provides precise time for use in modern military and National Technical Means (NTM) navigation, guidance, positioning, and tracking systems. The Earth Orientation System provides precise Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP) for use by the DoD and national civilian infrastructure to establish the specific orientation of the Earth and to provide input to the terrestrial reference frame. The Celestial Reference Frame system provides the basic data needed to generate the Celestial Reference Frame (CRF) which is the standard for calibrating all inertial navigation systems, satellite orbits, and Earth rotation determinations. Improvement to the MC System, Time Transfer, Earth Orientation, and Celestial Reference Frame Systems are needed to ensure new and upgraded DoD and NTM capabilities meet their performance requirements. The U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) is responsible for coordinating Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) requirements and for maintaining a PTTI reference standard (astronomical and atomic) for use by all DoD, federal agencies, and related scientific laboratories. The Navy is also responsible for providing CRF data for military and NTM navigation, positioning, and guidance capabilities to all of DoD. CJCSI 6130.01H requires the USNO to meet or exceed present and future Timing, Earth Orientation, and Celestial Reference Frame requirements for the entire DoD via RDTE efforts. The PTA research and development efforts are focused on several areas relating to timing and time transfer: (1) Development of improved Global Positioning System (GPS) Timing Receivers in order to meet the precise timing requirements for the GPS III system; (2) Research and development of the capability of distributing timing signals via alternative methods to GPS time distribution; and (3) Research and development into Optical Clock technology in order to meet current and future DoD systems requirements. The PTA research and development effort is also focused on the following areas related to Earth Orientation Parameter (EOP) determination: (1) Development of new Earth Orientation combination and prediction algorithms and (2) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) orbit determination pipeline research and development. PTA research and development for Celestial Reference Frame (CRF) focuses on 1) Research into the development of celestial navigation solutions, 2) instrumentation development across all wavelengths relevant to the DoD, 3) Next Generation Very Long Baseline Array antennae development, and 4) Cislunar navigation research.

Mission — Fleet Synthetic Training source

Fleet Synthetic Training (FST) provides Naval Forces with an enhanced in-port training capability. This effort provides more effective training for our deploying naval forces by integrating embedded shipboard training devices, aircraft, and submarine simulators into an interoperable network with joint, coalition, and interagency partners. The required training is based on realistic characterizations of the physical environment, a key factor in achieving this new way of training Naval Forces. This project develops and delivers software that characterizes the ocean and atmospheric environments; adjusts to meet fleet-required training scenarios; allows synthetic training to be conducted in areas of planned and contingency operations and provides sufficient detail to simulate the real-world conditions of the physical environment in those areas of interest. IW INTEGRATION INTO LIVE, VIRTUAL, AND CONSTRUCTIVE (LVC) TRAINING DEVELOPMENT The Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) Training program funds will be used to develop, integrate and deliver Information Warfare (IW) training in a scalable, Navy Continuous Training Environment (NCTE) compliant capability in a controlled environment. This effort builds upon existing trainers Fleet Synthetic Training (FST) Electronic Warfare (EW) Trainer and the Naval Research Development and Engineering (NRD&E) labs to enable continuous development and iterations introducing new technologies and methodologies to advance the IW capabilities in a shore and afloat Tactical Level environment to address the continually evolving threats. LVC includes fleet requirements to integrate realistic IW capabilities and effects - specifically Intelligence (Intel), Cryptology (Crypto), Electronic Warfare (EW), Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) inputs at the Secret and Top Secret/Secret Compartmentalized Information (TS/SCI) level. This capability enables individual units and Carrier Strike Group (CSG), Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) to exercise integrated kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities at the Shore Tactical Level utilizing the Maritime Operation Center (MOC) to include operations/intelligence fusion required to overcome Strategic Competition threats. Additionally, LVC facilitates classified IW Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP) development (including Signals Intelligence / Counter - Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (SIGINT / C-ISR)) in a closed network, minimizing the potential for compromise to adversaries. Integration of a realistic IW capability into LVC events via NCTE supports holistic readiness through force generation of effectively trained, resilient IW forces. The key pieces to integrate IW capabilities into current and future LVC Training Environments include: - Leverage existing trainers (e.g. Naval Research, Development and Engineering (NRDE) laboratories and Electronic Warfare (EW) Fleet Synthetic Trainer) to employ current virtual IW capabilities (including Intel, Crypto, METOC,) via Navy Enterprise Tactical Training Network (NETTN) to enable distributed training for the fleet. - Integrate developed IW capabilities/embedded trainers with existing Fleet embedded trainers to deliver fully capable organic and distributed integrated training. - Develop training data generation capability, databases and libraries to support simulating operational data flows - Virtualize existing IW training tools using serious gaming technologies. - Develop additional unit level and team training vignettes, scenarios, and curricula based on real-world use cases to provide "reps and sets" and build IW critical thinking skills and tactical proficiency. - Utilize authoritative standards, such as NCTE Interoperability Standards (NIS) as means to guide future training development. - Provide Warfare Development Centers the capability to evaluate blue force doctrine and TTP capabilities and limitations in a threat representative environment against replicated realistic opposing force/adversary TTPs to generate viable training events and scenarios.

Mission — Tactical Environmental Support source

The Tactical Environmental Support Project (3404) enables the future warfighter to leverage environmental data gathered, assimilated and predicted under Projects 2341 (METOC Collections) and 2342 (METOC processing) by incorporating them into warfighting technological, net-centric applications that shape the way in which commanders engage the enemy, take full advantage of environmental conditions (and their impacts on systems and sensors) and complete the mission in the most efficient manner feasible. These software decision support tools complement the capabilities found in the Naval Integrated Tactical Environmental System Next Generation (NITES-Next) Program of Record, and provide platform, sensor, communications, and weapon systems performance assessments for littoral and deep-strike warfighters. The following warfighting disciplines benefit directly from these METOC Exploitation capabilities: (1) Undersea Warfare(USW), Anti-Submarine Warfare(ASW), Mine Warfare(MIW), Amphibious Warfare(AMW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), Anti-Air Warfare, (AAW), Strike Warfare(STW), Expeditionary Warfare(EXW), Electronic Warfare (EW), Information Operations (IO), Intelligence Operations(INT), Non-Combat Operations (NCO), Command, Control, Communication (CCC), and Naval Special Warfare(NSW).

Mission — Congressional Adds source

Development of Autonomous dual-modality surface and underwater vehicles.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (7)