Systems Engineering

Systems Engineering Case Study:

Defining the Way Ahead for the Navy Tactical / Mobile (TacMobile) Program

The Challenge

Provide systems engineering and technical services allowing upgrade of all TacMobile platforms with systems to support evolving operational environments, missions, aircraft assets, and data sharing requirements while saving costs through efficient integration of new capabilities and elimination of obsolete equipment.

The TacMobile Program, which dates back to 1970 when the first TSC was established in Keflavik, Iceland for Cold War Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations against the Soviet Union, provides C4ISR systems and equipment to the Navy’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force (MPRF), Navy Component Commanders, and other senior operational personnel. The program brings capabilities that allow planning, direction, and control of tactical operations within Joint and Naval Expeditionary Forces. TacMobile platforms include the Tactical Support Center (TSC), Mobile Operations Control Center (MOCC), and Joint Mobile Ashore Support Terminal (JMAST). The development of MOCCs occurred in order to support missions for Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) at sites not otherwise serviceable through the traditional fixed location TSCs. The JMAST system of systems does not directly support aircraft, but is very similar in make-up to the MOCC systems and supports Maritime Commanders operating ashore with expeditionary Command and Control (C2) capabilities. Each TacMobile system of systems platform consists of both Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) and Government Off the Shelf (GOTS) equipment configured into C2, Communications, Mobility/Facility, Enterprise, and Warfighter Interface (CMFEWI) components.

MPRF aircraft mission areas have expanded in recent years, and now include all-sensor surveillance, over-the-horizon targeting, counter-drug operations, power projection, undersea warfare, mining, search and rescue, and special operations. Consequently, TSC and MOCC capabilities have had to grow along with the platforms they support to cover a wider range of littoral, open ocean, and over-land operational environments. TSCs and MOCCs are globally networked, serving as mobile maritime information exchange nodes for the Maritime Surveillance Sector Commander (MSSC) and play a significant role in the effective use of dwindling air resources. Their role is expanding to include support for not only the P-3C, but many platforms currently in development, including the P-8A Poseidon, Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), and EP-X aircraft. TacMobile will be transitioning to an open architecture environment that facilitates rapid acquisition and integration of state-of-the-art technologies with flexibility to meet the needs of a broad range of warfighter requirements. SOLUTE is defining user requirements for the TacMobile Program to provide these expanded applications, along with significant C4ISR equipment upgrades that will enable more complex data analysis and data sharing capabilities.

SOLUTE's Approach

SOLUTE brings years of C4ISR systems expertise to the TacMobile program, along with real-world, end-user experience. The SOLUTE team is prioritizing and defining the user system requirements utilizing feedback from previous TacMobile increments, emerging threats, research on new technology alternatives, warfighter needs, and mission goals. The company uses inputs from Advanced Concept Technology and Joint Warfare Integration Demonstrations, as well as Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP) transitions. SOLUTE engineers also evaluate all relevant C4ISR COTS/GOTS systems and Non-Developmental Items (NDI) components for the platforms. Using an evolutionary, incremental approach, SOLUTE is working with the Program Executive Office (PEO) C4I, PMW-750 to deliver progressively tailored and fielded capabilities to the Fleet supporting remote operational needs.

SOLUTE has taken the lead in the incremental development and implementation of the TacMobile Roadmap supporting the Program Office with:

Use case / Unified Modeling Language (UML) in conjunction with development of the Functional Description Document (FDD).
Development of critical program Systems Engineering documentation and processes, including the Information Support Plan (ISP), Capabilities Production Document (CPD), Concept of Operations (CONOPS), Concepts of Employment (CONEMPs), Concepts of Use (CONUSEs), and Systems Engineering Plan (SEP).
Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) studies. These studies include analysis of new and evolving aircraft platforms, such as the P-3C, Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA)/P-8A Poseidon, and BAMS UAS. SOLUTE engineers are also assessing a number of C4I platforms, such as the Global Command and Control System-Maritime (GCCS-M), Distributed Common Ground System-Navy (DCGS-N), and Automated Digital Network System (ADNS).
Establishment and chartering of critical Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) including: Architecture and Planning (A&P), Systems Architecture and Engineering (SAE), UAS, Training, and Data Management and Extensible Markup Language (XML).
Definition of Required Operational Capability/Projected Operational Environment (ROC/POE).
Development of the Systems Requirements Document and related requirements management.
Creation of the Interface Requirements Specification (IRS), Interface Design Description (IDD), and other key systems engineering documentation.
Development of DoD Architecture Framework (DODAF) views in accordance with Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) requirements.
Design of the Training Plan and Incremental Acquisition Plan.
Development of the TSC/MOCC Data Strategy. Collaboration with the MPR Family of Systems and related Communities of Interest to ensure MPRF data is visible, accessible, understandable and trusted.
Performance of budget and installation management, program IPT representation, and other acquisition, financial, and programmatic services.
Re-design of business processes and implementation of specialized templates within the TacMobile program to facilitate efficient and cost saving design practices.

Under follow-on tasking, SOLUTE is playing an even greater role in the TacMobile program, providing acquisition management, program management, and production/installation support. Company engineers bring a wide range of technical skill-sets, backgrounds, and specific expertise to the program office. SOLUTE is currently coordinating certification of C4ISR systems for the various TacMobile platforms, and working with the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Charleston (SSC C), and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to schedule installations.

Value Delivered

SOLUTE staffed the TacMobile program with former operational TacMobile and Maritime Patrol C4I systems experts from the start. The SOLUTE-appointed Task Lead alone has close to 16 years of expertise as a former TSC Department Head/Watch Stander and P-3C Naval Flight Officer. The SOLUTE team developed the Naval Mission Functional Task guidelines for the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) N88, and has delivered all TacMobile requirements documentation on time and within budget. Company engineers and analysts established the baseline for Minimum Warfighter Redline system planning, programming, budgeting, and procurement. SOLUTE has also optimized TacMobile development efforts as well as the common logistics tail, and consolidated the training baseline for more effective and efficient resource utilization. To date, the company has achieved Fleet Readiness Certification Board (FCRB) approval for 15 installations and 18 deliveries resulting in full Fleet Acceptance of all TacMobile systems capabilities scheduled in the SPAWAR PEO Integrated Data Environment and Repository (SPIDER). SOLUTE has received Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) ratings of ‘Exceptional +’ for all aspects of quality, scheduling, cost, business relations, and personnel management on the TacMobile program to date, which is the highest contractor score possible. The TacMobile SEP and program processes were created entirely by SOLUTE personnel and are touted within PEO C4I as “the model SEP” for other programs to emulate. Experience “The Power of Solutions” with SOLUTE. We have solutions for the real world, TODAY.