FORT HOOD, TX -- Tactical network software complexity is often discussed as an operational readiness issue due to the fact that either too many software baselines exist in operational formations or that network initialization is time consuming and complicated for field based units who demand simplicity to ensure expeditionary connectivity. The Army's Central Technical Support Facility (CTSF), a subordinate organization of the Communication and Electronics Command (CECOM) is actively working to lessen the software systems integration burden on Forces Command units, while also assuring the security, integration readiness and functionality of tactical network software baselines.
Established in 1996, CTSF initially served as a center for rapid development and testing of Army Battle Command Systems (ABCS) and to support early digitization exercises at Fort Hood. But today, the campus is the Army's only strategic facility responsible for performing interoperability testing and configuration management for all tactical level Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems (C4ISR), applications and hardware prior to release to the field.
Staffed by more than 125 military personnel Army civilians and support contractors, the CTSF is a collaborative environment also serving as home to more than 300 personnel representing Army product and program management teams who develop and field network product lines that support the Army's Mission Command Network. These organizations execute other activities including regional support, fielding, training, and operational testing from the CTSF location. "The synergy created among the unique capabilities assembled at the CTSF campus is what allows the Army to achieve excellence in interoperability and is truly its defining characteristic," said Colonel Federica King the CTSF commander.
As the Army digitized its forces and entered into more than a decade of continuous wartime operations, the CTSF responded to the demand by adding skilled personnel and facilities to rapidly address the complex challenge of integrating and testing the growing number of digital capabilities. In 2007, CTSF became an enduring capability for the Army as it transferred from Department of the Army Chief Information Officer - G6 (CIO-G6) control in order to better leverage its capabilities across the Army Materiel Command enterprise, and in the process became a subordinate command of CECOM.
Today, the CTSF replicates current and emerging Army network baselines to ensure Army Interoperability Certification of software, in other words, testing new software to ensure it is ready to integrate into operational unit networks. As an end product, CTSF experts provide reasonable assurance that the various software baselines are interoperable prior to fielding, a comprehensive look at the cyber security posture of systems across the Army and assurance of software integration readiness--ultimately helping to provide a less complex product to operational units.
The unique CTSF facility infrastructure and workforce composition make system integration test capabilities possible. In addition to its core integration, evaluation, and configuration management staff, numerous program office technical representatives are on hand to support systems under test. CTSF's integration labs, provide program offices with digital environments to integrate systems prior to interoperability certification and correct issues found during testing. In addition, programs leverage the integration labs to provide support to tactical units. For example, Project Manager Mission Command recently used a CTSF lab to ensure compatibility of the Army's latest situational awareness software, Joint Battle Command-Platform (JBC-P) with current fielded network software. Compatibility testing was successful and the Army now plans to field additional JBC-P capability in the coming years. CTSF workforce and facilities are also prepared to work software accreditation and integration testing of the Army's emerging Common Operating Environment (COE) software baseline. Initial assessments are ongoing now, with dedicated COE testing anticipated in the next couple of years.
The labs also provide capability to support Fort Hood based combat forces as they prepare for world-wide operations. CTSF is assisting the 1st Cavalry Division in establishing a Brigade Combat Team cyber warfare lab for an initiative to enable training on active and passive cyber warfare in a lab environment that will enable the division to increase its cyber readiness prior to deployments. The Army Research Lab/Survivability/Lethality Analysis Directorates (ARL/SLAD) Cyber section uses the tactical architecture as part of the Army Interoperability Certification software accreditation process prior to fielding.
As the Army increasingly operates in Joint and coalition environment, achieving systems of systems interoperability continues to become more complex and challenging. The CTSF is home to the Army's Coalition Interoperability Assurance and Validation lab with personnel focused on streamlining and improving the Afghanistan Resolute Support Mission Network. By accessing Army command and control systems at the CTSF, mission partners are able to continuously work to reduce risk and address current coalition network interoperability challenges and also work to correct anticipated challenges as coalition partners change. Looking toward the future, the CTSF is adapting to meet coalition challenges by expanding capability to support emerging requirements and provide access to the Army tactical software baselines for Joint and Coalition interoperability efforts. CTSF routinely supports AGILE Fire events by hosting the Joint Air Ground Integration Cell with the Ft. Hood based 712th Air Support Operations Squadron and the 1st Cavalry Division providing facilities, required network access, and engineering support to establish the event network. AGILE Fire brings together Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps test sites across the US to work Joint Fires and airspace management/de-confliction-related objectives and illustrates the synergy, capability, and collaboration that exists locally at the CTSF.
Today, the CTSF is an enduring capability ensuring that the Army network has interoperable and secure software capacity as the Army looks to streamline its network baselines and ensure less complex network integration needs. As the Army's only facility certified to perform Army Interoperability Certification network software testing, coupled with its vast experience and dedicated workforce, the CTSF stands prepared to meet the challenges associated with the future of digitization.
Social Sharing