Combat Information Center Conversion

Mission — Combat Information Center Conv source

Effective FY 2026, Projects 3094 and 3439 move from PE 0604518N to PE 0603561N as part of the PE/BLI consolidation effort in the DoD Implementation Plan from the Commission on Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) Reform Final Report in an effort to rapidly increase Navy Lethality in the Submarine and Surface Fleet. This Program Element (PE) addresses the development and integration of new and improved technologies into the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Theater Undersea Warfare (TUSW) Command & Control (C2) systems supporting the warfighter. PROJECT 3094: Undersea Warfare Decision Support System (USW-DSS) is the Navy Program of Record Net-Centric ASW/TUSW C2 system supporting the warfighter. USW-DSS continues to develop and test the software changes and perform the certification testing necessary to address end-of-life (EOL) support issues impacting USW-DSS Build 3, as well as address emerging mandated cybersecurity requirements. USW-DSS has shifted to a Continuous Improvement / Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) model leveraging multiple Development and Secure cloud Operational environments (DevSecOps) which produces baseline software upgrades twice annually. Within this CI/CD process, this project develops, designs, integrates, and tests additional tools/capabilities for USW-DSS Build 3 including, but not limited to: Waterspace Management (WSM) and Prevention of Mutual Interference (PMI), Common Track Manager, Link 16 Connectivity, Common Tactical Picture (CTP), Platform Data Fusion Integration, Cross-Platform Data Fusion, Automated Asset Allocation, Asset/Threat State Information, Vulnerability Analysis enhancement, ASW Track Management, Automated Re-planning, Engagement Target Pairing, improved Theater ASW (TASW) capabilities, Data-Focused Navy Tactical Cloud Integration, and virtualization of the electronic Master Tactical Plot (eMTP) visualization/display service as 'Web USW-DSS' on which to render the CTP/Common Operational Picture (COP). These improvements address requirements from the Commander U.S. Fleet Forces endorsement of "Theater ASW Capability Requirements" letter (dated 24 February 2017). Future USW-DSS Build 3 Fleet Capability Releases (FCRs) will focus on required system re-architecture to keep pace with the latest network and system hardware obsolescence as well as expanded processing and user interface capacity requirements that are driven by expanded multi-system and multi-level security inputs. These FCRs will also achieve commonality between afloat and ashore USW-DSS systems, such that continuous development improvements impact both shipboard and TUSW Command Headquarters (TUSWCHQ) watch floors, as well as training and Fleet support installations uniformly. FCR 3 will focus on expanding and sharing operational data and artifacts between systems across multiple security classification and releasability standards to support system to system and allied and coalition interoperability. This effort complements parallel Foreign Military Sales (FMS) efforts that expand cooperative TUSW operations. PROJECT 3439: The Networked Architecture for Undersea Theater Integrated C2 Advantage (NAUTICA) Project provides Theater ASW (TASW) architecture development, systems engineering, and design, and continues the system engineering effort required to design, develop, and deliver an integrated TASW battle management suite in accordance with the 2007 ASW Initial Capabilities Document (ICD). The plan prioritizes NAUTICA investments in accordance with the Commander U.S. Fleet Forces endorsement of "Theater ASW Capability Requirements" letter (dated 24 February 2017) and Center for Security Forces (CSF) letter "Criticality of Sustaining PMI and WSM Capability and Meeting Emerging Requirements for Great Competition" submitted to OPNAV N2N6. The design of the integrated TASW battle management suite will include a system-of-systems TASW architecture to enable the existing Programs of Record under development from the Program Executive Office (PEO) for Integrated Warfare Systems (IWS), PEO Command, Controls, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I), PEO AIR, PEO Submarines, and N9SP to exploit a common framework. The common architecture will define the key data exchanges, common displays and processing, data models, cross domain interfaces, and multi-level security software to fuse TUSW C2 data within USW-DSS and an ever-increasing number of C4I tactical data sources into a CTP. This development will include tactical dissemination of USW tactical picture and targeting data to the submarine, allied system-to-system interoperability, Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV), and Sub-surface and Seabed Warfare (SSW) situational awareness. NAUTICA will focus on closing seams issues across the multi-program system-of-systems that provides C2 tools for TUSW and will support the curation of tactical picture, targeting, and cueing data to allow for transmission to ships and submarines in emission control (EMCON) status to support USW and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW).

Mission — USW Decision Support source

Undersea Warfare Decision Support System (USW-DSS) is the Navy Program of Record Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Command and Control (C2) Net-Centric system supporting the warfighter. USW-DSS provides an integrated, near-real time, net-centric ASW Common Tactical Picture (CTP) and Common Operational Picture (COP) for the Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs). USW-DSS is a C2 capability identified in the ASW Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) for the Sea Combat Commander (SCC) and Theater USW Commander (TUSWC). USW-DSS enables effective planning and execution of USW operations, optimizes placement of sensors for exploitation of the environment, manages available resources, balances operations versus risk, and provides a clear vulnerability assessment of the operational environment. USW-DSS ensures safe operational and tactical C2 of submerged U.S. and allied submarines via Prevention of Mutual Interference (PMI) capability, and protects from blue-on-blue engagement with a Waterspace Management planning and execution tool. USW-DSS shortens C2 decision processes for detection-to-engagement across multiple platforms, including those with low-bandwidth communications or intermittent connectivity. Tactical data such as tracks, environmental, and sensor processing data is ingested into USW-DSS through platform specific interfaces such as the AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 Surface Ship ASW Combat System, the Global Command and Control System - Maritime (GCCS-M), and the AN/SQQ-34 Aircraft Carrier Tactical Support Center (CV-TSC). USW-DSS processes this and other tactical data and supports intelligent dissemination of the data to unit and theater level platforms in support of an enhanced USW tactical picture. USW-DSS provides USW Commanders with an expanded, net-centric USW collaborative capability across CSG platforms (CVNs, CGs, DDGs, FFGs) as well as supporting shore nodes to include Commander Task Force (CTF), the Naval Oceanographic Processing Facility (NOPF), and Tactical Operations Center (TOC) and Maritime Operations Center (MOC). On afloat platforms, USW-DSS processing software is virtualized for portability and is hosted on the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) system and implements a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) with display generation and operator interfaces provided via USW-DSS hardware. For support and ashore nodes, USW-DSS processing software is hosted on Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) hardware. Starting in 2024, USW-DSS fielding will be entirely hosted on CANES with no additional USW-DSS hardware. This software-only fielding plan will allow for more frequent system patching and upgrades. To accommodate this transition, USW-DSS is developing a secure container-based architecture. Future USW-DSS capability is phased to deliver timely and cost-effective software improvements to the warfighter via the Fleet Capability Release (FCR) process. USW-DSS Build 3 FCR incremental developments implement cost-effective cyber security and Theater ASW (TASW) functionality by integrating inputs from data sources and platforms such as the P8-A Poseidon aircraft and associated Air ASW sensors, provide improved and additional functionality, and improve stability and reliability. USW-DSS Build 3 provides common and improved visualization, integrated USW platform sensor data sharing, reduced data entry, improved sensor performance predictions, data fusion, and reduced redundancy across USW Tactical Decision Aids (TDAs). The project provides a greater understanding of the undersea battle space by allowing the entire force (carrier and expeditionary strike group, theater, or other) to have a common and thorough understanding of the battle space with characterized uncertainties. The Navy continues to modernize and add sensor capabilities to existing programs of record that are significant data sources of information for USW-DSS. These include, but are not limited to the AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 Surface Ship ASW Combat System, AN/SQQ-34 CV-TSC, GCCS-M, and Link Monitoring and Management Tool (LMMT). As the sensor capabilities and systems mature, the tactical data valuable to USW-DSS is incorporated as part of a future FCR. Through targeted architectural improvements, follow-on FCRs will facilitate the migration of select components of USW-DSS to a DoD commercial cloud computing environment, thus improving software performance and scalability while keeping future hardware costs in check. Additionally, follow-on FCRs are targeted to support operations across different security enclaves and additional platform tactical data interfaces such as those associated with P-8A Poseidon aircraft, and submarines. Additionally, USW-DSS is adopting agile Information Technology (IT) developments to align with the Compile to Combat in 24 Hours (C2C24) initiative. USW-DSS will continue to address end-of-life (EOL) support issues impacting USW-DSS Build 3 as well as address emerging mandated cybersecurity requirements. Funding will be used to continue to develop, design, integrate, and test additional USW-DSS tools/capabilities for Build 3 including, but not limited to: Waterspace Management and PMI, Common Track Manager, Link 16 Connectivity, CTP, Platform Data Fusion Integration, Cross-Platform Data Fusion, Automated Asset Allocation, Asset/Threat State Information, Vulnerability Analysis enhancement, ASW Track Management, Automated Re-planning, Area Planning, improved TASW capabilities, Data-Focused Navy Tactical Cloud Integration, and virtualization of the electronic Master Tactical Plot (eMTP) visualization/display service as 'Web USW-DSS' on which to render the CTP/COP. These improvements address requirements from the Commander U.S. Fleet Forces endorsement of "Theater ASW Capability Requirements" letter (dated 24 February 2017).

Mission — Project NAUTICA: Integrated Theater ASW C4I source

The Networked Architecture for Undersea Theater Integrated C2 Advantage (NAUTICA) project provides Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare (TASW) architecture development, systems engineering, and design. NAUTICA will identify requirements to integrate intelligence (operational and tactical) and sensor (national and organic) systems to provide a fully informed Naval Integrated Fires - Counter Undersea (N2CX) Common Operational Picture (COP) of enemy undersea forces, maximizing decision superiority and theater level planning, and address TASW C2. Using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), NAUTICA decomposes warfighting requirements into system requirements allocated to existing Programs of Record or identified as new program requirements. Theater Undersea Warfare Operations Center's (TUSWOC) systems today are not integrated to support performance requirements during all threat levels. This results in failure to most effectively employ Theater USW assets. Near term, the Project will continue to accelerate development by rapidly prototyping the framework for existing legacy systems to be federated, to exchange key information and significantly improve existing TASW capability. NAUTICA will also establish a transition path for new USW technologies such as the Operational Planning Tool (OPT), Water Space Planner (WASP), Battlespace Management Tactical Decision Aid (BAM TDA), and other Future Naval Capabilities (FNCs) that will start to transition Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5/6 enabling technologies into the USW-DSS Program of Record. NAUTICA investments are prioritized in accordance with the Commander U.S. Fleet Forces endorsement of "Theater ASW Capability Requirements" letter (dated 24 February 2017) and Center for Security Forces (CSF) letter "Criticality of Sustaining Prevention of Mutual Interference (PMI) and Water Space Management (WSM) Capability and Meeting Emerging Requirements for Great Competition" submitted to OPNAV N2N6. The design of the integrated TASW battle management suite will include a system of systems TASW architecture to enable the existing programs of record under development from the Program Executive Office (PEO) for Integrated Warfare Systems (IWS), PEO Command, Controls, Communications, Computers and intelligence (C4I), PEO AIR, PEO Undersea Warfare Systems (UWS), and N9SP to exploit a common framework. The common architecture will define the key data exchanges, common displays and processing, data models, cross domain interfaces, and multi-level security software that will enable systems such as USW-DSS to exchange, display, and exploit information at the appropriate classifications. NAUTICA focuses development of Theater USW C2 multi-system integration challenges that require coordination across multiple programs, multiple platforms, and multiple resource sponsors.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (2)