Combat System Integration

Achieving and maintaining Strike Force Interoperability (SFI) requires disciplined engineering, system integration, and configuration management at both the platform (ship or shore station) and strike force level (Carrier Strike Group/ Amphibious Readiness Group). The Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Modernization Program (C5IMP) pillar of SFI ensures that deploying strike force ships receive modernized and interoperable warfighting capabilities in order to meet theater operational requirements. This project funds engineering assessments of proposed C5I capability improvements to determine maturity for installation as well as technical and schedule risks associated with proposed hardware and software changes. This project directly supports the requirements of the Fleet C5I Modernization Policy (per COMUSFLTFORCOM/COMPACFLT Inst. 4720.3) which assigns responsibilities to NAVSEA 05H to assess operational risks associated with C5ISR modernization in both afloat and ashore units in support of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP). The deliverables of this project are created by determining the maturity, through engineering analysis, of the critical linchpins needed to achieve interoperability for each proposed C5IMP capability improvement item to be installed in a ship's baseline, developing installation recommendations of C5I system upgrades for the Fleet Commanders, and researching and analyzing installation or operating problems. This includes a review of Warfare System Ship Change Documents (SCDs). SFI coordinates closely with the FLTCDRs and TYCOMs as well as other members of the C5IMP community to address, coordinate, and resolve C5IMP modernization issues, thereby reducing risk and enhancing readiness and effectiveness of deploying ships and strike groups. The SFI C5IMP pillar focuses on key milestones such as Baseline Locking Events (BLEs), Planned Not Authorized (PNA) reviews, and Strike Group (SG)/Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) Analysis Reports which are Fleet required events. The BLEs, PNA Reviews, and SG/ARG Analysis Reports are the primary work products for C5IMP. Emerging warfighting requirements and the development of required hardware and software changes between CNO Availability periods require SFI to administer an electronic change control board (eCCB) to facilitate the request, review, and approval of proposed Baseline changes. SFI maintains the Afloat Master Planning System (AMPS) data for the approximately 285 active Battle Force ships, in addition to initial configuration of the New Construction ships entering the Fleet each year. SFI maintains and continuously updates C5ISR Configuration Control for every ship based on projection of ships' operating/maintenance schedules at SG deployment. Due to changing operational needs, these schedules frequently change causing availability extensions, deferrals, cancellations, or delays. SFI extracts and formats the data in AMPS to develop the BLE and PNA Review presentations which enables the Fleet commanders and TYCOMs to make informed modernization decisions. CUSFFC/CPF Instruction 4720.3C designates NAVSEA 05 as the executing agent for the two NCMCs held each year where Fleet Commanders, TYCOMs, SYSCOMs and supporting personnel gather to discuss advance plans, coordinate near term modernization plans, and coordinate shore and shipboard installations to ensure support prior to deployments, resolve schedule issues and establish priorities. Major issues identified at each NCMC are reported to a joint FFC/CPF flag/SES panel. .

Description: This SFI pillar provides: interoperability assessments via the Distributed Integration & Interoperability Assessment Capability (DIIAC), the technical assessment of interoperable systems to meet mission requirements, Strike Group Interoperability Capabilities and Limitations (SGI C&L), and Tactical Information Coordinator Technical Aid (TIC TECHAID) updates. Strike Force Interoperability certification and assessments inform NAVSEA/PEOs the extent of interoperable warfare systems at the platform and Strike Group levels, as well as new systems and platforms under development. The DIIAC provides the only opportunity for comprehensive interoperability testing of combat system and C5I configuration items prior to shipboard delivery for operational use in surface combatant platforms and Strike Groups. The DIIAC is comprised of 23 land-based test sites from multiple Navy bases connected via classified network, and provides operational configurations for all naval combat systems. SFI funds the full interoperability characterization testing to include the requisite warfare system interoperability analysis and risk assessments needed to support the Warfare Systems Certification Decision (WSCD). SFI can support the warfare system's acquisition community by testing their developmental items for interoperability using the DIIAC. However, it is the cognizant acquisition program's responsibility to fund subsequent data analysis and risk assessment. The DIIAC infrastructure is available, but not funded, to support the surface Navy's participation in the Joint Testing Environments as well as the Maritime Theater Missile Defense (MTMD) Coalition Forces interoperability testing. SFI maintains and updates the Strike Group Interoperability Capabilities & Limitations (SGI C&L) database to accurately reflect the "state of the TDL/COP" (tactical data links/common operational picture) in every operational theater. SGI C&Ls for all Strike Groups, Independent Deployers, and (when funded) the applicable Coalition and Joint partners, are maintained on a secure internet protocol routing network (SIPRNET) website for operational forces, trainers and the technical community. SGI C&L addresses known strike group compositions and provides a fleet modifiable force SGI C&L "tool" that allows users to generate SGI C&L documents for their specific force compositions. The TIC TECHAID is a single, cohesive set of operation checklists for the sailor that supports current operational use of these systems to meet tactical Information Exchange Requirements (IERs). TIC TECHAIDS are prepared for deploying Carrier Strike Groups (CSG's), Amphibious Ready Group (ARG's) and Independent Deployers. SGI C&L and TIC TECHAIDS readily inform Fleet operators and warfighters of the acquisition community's efforts to improve C5I capabilities and any interoperability issues or limitations that exist.

Strike Force Interoperability (SFI) begins with properly engineered warfare systems installed in US Navy Ships. The Warfare Systems Certification (WSCERT) pillar of SFI certifies that modernized warfare systems are ready for installation, properly installed, and meet warfighting mission area requirements, to include the systems' interoperability and functional integration within the Strike Force that enables successful mission accomplishment. It funds the collection and independent technical assessment of interoperability and integration using empirically derived Objective Quality Evidence (OQE) that installed warfare systems meet required performance specifications. Using established evaluation criteria, the project assesses the maturity of proposed warfare system modernizations prior to installation and certifies readiness of modernized warfare systems for operational deployment in ships, either independently or as components of Carrier/Expeditionary Strike Groups. When evaluation criteria are not met, the program funds the development of operational risk assessments. This includes conducting an analysis of all work-arounds documented in Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), Capabilities & Limitations (C&L), and Trouble Reports (TR) to ensure that aggregate deficiencies and work-arounds do not render the warfare system, to include the operator, ineffective. NAVSEA accomplishes these efforts through a sequential series of technical reviews that begin 12-24 months prior to a scheduled modernization of a ship's warfare system.

Modern warfare systems installed in US Navy ships require accurate position and time to achieve required effects. At the strike force level, accurate position and time are required to enable interoperability of warfighting systems of systems. The Integrated Navigation Suite Certification (NAVCERT) pillar of SFI certifies the accuracy of ship's position information and verifies that it is properly distributed to sensors and weapons systems installed in US Navy ships. Certification is required at five-year intervals, following Chief of Naval Operations Availabilities greater than six months, in support of Precision Approach and Landing System (PALS) certification, at the conclusion of Post Shakedown Availabilities, or following configuration changes that have been made to the ship's baseline integrated navigation suite. Certification testing verifies the accuracy of sensors that determine heading, velocity, attitude, and position; and validates receipt of navigation data by all- consuming systems including Integrated Warfare (or Mission) Systems, Aircraft Inertial Alignment System, and Control Systems. The scope of the certification includes all inertial navigation system equipment as well as the Electronic Chart Display and Information System - Navy (ECDIS- N). Forecasting out year NAVCERT requirements is based on the projection of expiring certifications, scheduled maintenance availabilities, and modernization of installed integrated navigation systems. Wherever possible, the program leverages integrated navigation suite modernization efforts to reduce overall program costs.