Successful fielding of software on today's battlefield requires effective communications between users and developers.
"No software development process can be successful without continual, direct contact with the users," said Col. Jonas Vogelhut, Project Manager Mission Command (PM MC). "This is particularly true for our combat commanders and Soldiers."
In late December 2011, Vogelhut and Col. Justin Gubler, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Capabilities Manager Mission Command (TCM MC) traveled to Afghanistan to conduct an operational site survey of the region. The purpose of the visit was to set conditions for a technical site survey and generate approval for delivery of the latest software block, Capability Set (CS) 11/12, scheduled to field to regions in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) this year.
"Sometimes, what seems like a good idea in the states doesn't translate to the commanders in theater, so face-to-face communication is crucial," said Vogelhut.
PM MC develops, deploys and sustains integrated Mission Command software to the Army and Joint forces, with collaboration and decision making capabilities as its core competency. In addition to PM MC technologies, PM Force XXI Battle Command Brigade-and-Below (FBCB2) technologies will also be fielded. Through a Global Positioning System (GPS), FBCB2 allows friendly forces to view the location of one another via a satellite image populated over a topographical map. Users can also manually add icons showing the location of the enemy and other potential hazards.
Both PMs are part of the Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T). This visit, directed by Maj. Gen. N. Lee S. Price, Program Executive Officer for C3T, also provided the two colonels an opportunity to gather additional user requirements and concerns.
"We had previously learned that some personnel feared a potential disruption to their mission with CS 11/12's comprehensive technology enhancements," Vogelhut said. "That is why we developed a two-phased fielding strategy that will significantly improve Soldier capabilities while minimizing operational impacts."
This strategy includes a server software upgrade and enhanced graphics and chat capabilities across a common platform.
PM MC used the previous software release to ensure its foundation product, Command Post of the Future (CPOF), was already compatible with CS 11/12 capabilities. CPOF provides battalion-level and above commanders and staffs with the Common Operating Picture (COP) through a wide array of real-time networked visualization tools for decision making, planning, rehearsal and execution management.
CPOF has already proven invaluable to commanders and Soldiers in OEF. After discussions with leaders at the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command (IJC), Regional Command-East (RC-E) and Regional Command-South (RC-S), Vogelhut and Gubler visited the headquarters of the 223rd Engineer Battalion in Kandahar Air Field (KAF). This National Guard engineering battalion from Mississippi has an important road clearance mission and has subordinate elements deployed across a wide area of RC-S. The battalion executes mission command through its use of CPOF.
"The battalion uses CPOF to track and lead their forces across their battlespace, much further than possible by radio," said Vogelhut. "They integrate information from intelligence reports and plan, coordinate and execute missions such as convoy route clearances and other coalition operations."
With the latest CPOF capabilities in place, the first phase of CS 11/12 implementation will allow distribution of Mission Command (MC) systems data beyond the Local Area Network (LAN). By completing the server software upgrade from Publish and Subscribe Service (PASS) to the Data Dissemination Service (DDS), MC data will be distributed globally across the tactical Internet.
The technical challenges of this upgrade involve ensuring backwards compatibility for interoperability with coalition applications and implementing the DDS server in each region without disrupting current operational system exchanges. One region at a time will upgrade from PASS to DDS, creating a smooth transition with the ability to capture lessons learned along the way.
The second phase of CS 11/12, the fielding of Joint Capabilities Release (JCR) by FBCB2, will take place later this year. Coordination with Regional Commands to field JCR during ongoing combat operations will be crucial, since new units continue to rotate into theater with various equipment configurations.
"As the Commander of a route clearance battalion, it is essential to have timely information in order to help process and make informed decisions," said LTC Michael Cleveland, Commander, 223rd Engineer Battalion, Task Force Knight. "With the enhanced capability of CPOF, the time to obtain critical information will be significantly reduced."
Vogelhut said the 223rd Engineers are also looking forward to JCR's graphics-sharing and chat capabilities for use between users in command posts and vehicles.
"This will help with missions, MEDEVAC, and sustainment," Vogelhut said.
In addition, PM FBCB2 will field platform upgrades that improve the COP with increased platform situational accuracy via the Blue Force Tracking 2 (BFT2) satellite network, security enhancements and interoperability with the logistics community through Joint Capabilities Release--Logistics (JCR-LOG). The integration of FBCB2's Tactical Ground Reporting System (TIGR) onto JCR will support expedited patrol reporting on the platform, enabling rapid response of vehicles to adapt to changing mission needs.
"The JCR, CPOF and DDS that are a part of CS 11/12 represent a significant step forward in mission command capability for the Soldier," said Gubler. "This software set delivers the ability to communicate graphics and orders between the command post and the vehicle platform as well as chat. This is a top priority for the FORSCOM Commanding General."
Discussions with commanders, staff and Soldiers on a variety of mission command issues were just as crucial to the leaders as they visited headquarters across the region. Gubler's prior combat experience helped him to understand user needs and then translate them into actionable requirements under the acquisition process.
"These discussions provided tremendous insight into both the unit's understanding of mission command and their proficiency level with mission command systems," said Gubler. "The visit helped the PM-TCM team develop and deliver the best capability possible."
The two colonels returned to the states with a comprehensive plan to address user capability needs and to implement affordable, innovative ideas obtained from the Soldiers and commanders to improve requirements, software capability and the fielding process.
"Our dedication to the mission and their safety necessitates that we provide them with what they need, and we must clearly understand their operations to help them prepare for what we will deliver," said Vogelhut.
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