Northrop to modernise US DoD's joint command and control system

15 March 2013 army-technology.com

Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract to upgrade and support the US Department of Defense's (DoD) global command and control system-joint (GCCS-J) programme.

Awarded by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), the Encore II contract features a $58m base performance award and a maximum potential value of $211m over 54 months if all options are exercised.

Under the base contract, the company will provide a wide range of engineering support services for the GCCS-J, which delivers precise, complete and timely information for the armed forces operational chain of command.

Services include systems and security engineering, development and maintenance of applications for situational awareness, force protection, as well as command and control (C2) and intelligence support missions.

Northrop Grumman Information Systems integrated command, control, communications and intelligence systems vice president Pat Camacho said the company's approach incorporates cross-domain C2 and intelligence systems to offer a more affordable joint C2 capability.

"The use of our CMMI Level 5 agile development and system integration processes will provide flexibility for responding to emerging warfighter needs," Camacho added.

The contract objectives include upgrade of GCCS-J architecture in compliance with Joint C2 Common Architecture standards, accelerating integration of troops capabilities, as well as significant reduction in lifecycle costs.

Northrop team for the contract includes Raytheon Trusted Computer Solutions, Mandex,Trinity Information Technology, J5 Systems, SAP Government Support and Services, Engility Corp., General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Alisco Computer Consulting, Distributed Technologies, and TrustedQA.

GCCS-J is a command, control, communications, computer, and intelligence (C4I) service providing battlefield commanders with connectivity for effective planning, execution and management of both joint and multinational operations worldwide.

The service also features systems for situational awareness, support for intelligence, force planning, readiness assessment and deployment applications.