Global Command and Control System – Maritime (GCCS-M) Segments And SKYCAP Assured IP Software and their application in JOINT/COMBINED EXPEDITIONARY OPERATIONS

The Navy Program Executive Office (C4I and Space) PMW-170 has been at the forefront of new efforts to improve UHF SATCOM bandwidth utilization of existing satellite communications assets. This effort is synchronized with the Navy’s transition of legacy information exchange (IXS) circuits to modern IP network based applications. The Assured IP (AIP) project, started by PMW-179 and now managed by PMW-760, is responsible for coordinating multiple projects and programs-of-records (PORs) in order to accomplish IXS-to-IP modernization. SkyCAP is one of the transport protocols being considered by the Assured IP project as described in this document. Most military information systems involve tactical exploitation of TCP I/P networks, which are used to pass data using FTP and other protocols. For many tactical users UHF SATCOM is the only over-thehorizon radio path available; however, the channels are limited in quantity and bandwidth capability. SkyCAP is the name given to a new suite of assured IP data control software modules designed to address the war fighter’s network needs and limitations. The SkyCAP proposal was originally presented at MILCOM 2002. Subsequent development work resulted in an initial trial build of this software in Linux configuration. Porting of SkyCAP software to the Windows operating system was completed in December 2004. Operational testing has included the Joint Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (JWID) 2004 and recent field exercises with mine warfare and expeditionary warfare forces. This paper discusses the development and integration efforts associated with SkyCAP and the MEDAL/EDSS segments of GCCS-M resulting in a new data exchange capability soon to be presented to tactical users.