The Army will officially begin developing CMFF prototypes through two new Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) Rapid Prototype Other Transactional Authority (OTA) agreements with General Dynamics Mission Systems and Pacific Defense on behalf of Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, and Network (PEO C3N).
CMFF, which is short for C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) Mounted Form Factor, is a hardware and software solution that aims to converge multiple legacy stovepipe systems into a single chassis inside ground and aviation platforms. Already plumbed for power, networks, and radio frequency, the chassis integrates capabilities like Assured Position, Navigation, and Timing (APNT), tactical communications waveforms, command and control, and force protection electronic attack systems through “Plug-In-Cards,” which can be swapped in or out based on the specific capability needed for the mission.
Through the OTAs, both vendors will work independently to provide the Army with the CMFF chassis—also known as the Mounted Common Infrastructure—plus the capability cards and a ruggedized smart display/tablet to interface with the chassis. The development will also include systems integration, installation support, and continued updates of the CMFF Software Infrastructure (CSI), which is the user interface supporting CMFF configuration and management.
“With the recent OTAs and the establishment of the CMFF product manager office this past spring, CMFF is one of the key players in the Army’s initiative to rapidly integrate capabilities that warfighters need,” said Mike Hartley, CMFF product manager at PEO C3N. “CMFF will equip Soldiers in combat platforms with needed capabilities and do so in a way that is size and energy efficient, easy to use, and able to support new technologies as they emerge.”
As the Army has prepared for CMFF development, it has leveraged the Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) and Sensor Open Systems Architecture® (SOSA®) standards to ensure the capability cards and chassis are interoperable, which will enable rapid capability integration in the future and ensure multiple vendors can continue to participate in capability card development.
The CMFF prototypes will be validated through a series of lab- and field-based risk reduction events, operational demonstrations, and soldier touch points, with future integration efforts to include excursion within the 4th Infantry Division fielding of the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) prototype technology stack.
“CMFF is really that ‘plug and play’ infrastructure that will enable commercially available technologies to be at the Soldier’s fingertips with the simple insertion of a card,” said Brig. Gen. Shane Taylor, PEO C3N. “CMFF offers flexibility, nests with the Next Generation Command and Control ecosystem, and is an important step in delivering capabilities at the speed of need.”
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The U.S. Army Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, and Network (PEO C3N) develops, acquires, fields and supports the Army's Unified Network (Tactical and Enterprise) to ensure force readiness in both current missions and potential future large scale combat operations. This critical Army modernization priority delivers resilient terrestrial and satellite communications capabilities to ensure commanders and Soldiers remain connected and informed at all times, even in the most austere and hostile environments. PEO C3N is delivering an integrated Unified Network to regions around the globe, enabling high-speed, high-capacity voice, data and video communications to an Army user base that includes joint, coalition and other mission partners.
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