JTIDS Network Design Facility

Customer: Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA) Camp Pendleton California

Project Type: Engineering Support Services for the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) Network Design Facility.

Platform/Tools: SunSparc 20, Windows NT Server and Clients

Summary of Work Performed: The Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA), Marine Corps Systems Command (MarCorSysCom) is designated as the Network Design Facility (NDF) for Marine Corps JTIDS networks. The Marine Corps JTIDS capability is resident in the AN/TYQ-82, the AN/MSQ-124 Air Defense Communications Platform (ADCP) and the AN/TYQ-23(V4) Tactical Air Operations Module. JTIDS Network Design Loads (NDL) are required by the Fleet Marine Force for joint use by service and agency participants. Component networks are provided by the individual services themselves.

A Network Design Aid (NDA) system currently running on SunSparc UNIX workstations is a menu driven tool used by all service NDFs to assist in the build-up of both joint and component networks. Marine Corps units desiring a network fill out a series of forms that are sent to MCTSSA. From these forms the nature of the network; participants and JTIDS data link parameters are determined. Using this information the NDA operator enters the parameters and a Network Design Load is produced. Both hardcopy and magnetic media is produced for use by the Marine Corps JTIDS platforms.

Using the JTIDS NDA and knowledge of JTIDS capabilities, Sierra personnel analyze JTIDS networks for applicability to Marine Corps JTIDS users. Once the JTIDS Network Design Aid equipment is on-line and functioning, the operator will inventory the available hard copy and magnetic media copies of JTIDS Networks at MCTSSA. The networks will be reviewed for compatibility with current Marine Corps JTIDS capable equipments. Candidate networks will be presented to Marine Corps personnel for a review for inclusion in the Marine Corps Network Design Library.

Using the JTIDS NDA and knowledge of JTIDS capabilities, Sierra Cybernetics personnel build JTIDS networks and the corresponding NDLs for Marine Corps units participating in JTIDS service exercises, joint/combined JTIDS exercises, and JTIDS United Nations actions. Sierra personnel assigned to this task have extensive experience with both the hardware and the employment concepts for Marine Corps JTIDS.

Technical Assistance is provided by Sierra Cybernetics that establishes and maintains a NDF at MCTSSA Camp Pendleton. The NDF will support Marine Corps forces as they employ JTIDS networks in support of Marine Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs). Sierra Cybernetics personnel are qualified for and will perform routine checks to ensure the hardware, software and peripherals are in working order.

Sierra Cybernetics personnel provide NDA software installation and administration. This includes logging, tracking, and initiating Software Problem Change Reports (SPCRs) written against the NDA software. Sierra personnel create Engineering Change Proposals (ECP) for improving the NDA software. Personnel will review the ECPs for the Marine Corps post processor output format. Sierra personnel will coordinate SPCRs and ECPs with the JTIDS NDA Life Cycle Support Activity (LCSA).

Sierra Cybernetics personnel update NDF documentation. To accomplish this task they examine the Joint Network Design Guide and recommend changes and additions for Marine Corps portions of the document. Appropriate format document review forms will be forwarded to the Project Officer for transmittal to cognizant authorities.

Sierra Cybernetics personnel survey other service’s NDF’s and the Joint Network Design Library at FORSCOM for JTIDS Networks on hand and obtain copies of these networks. These joint networks will be deposited in the MCTSSA Network Design Facility.

Sierra Cybernetics personnel proof the NDLs. To accomplish this task they will create magnetic media to be loaded into the Marine Corps JTIDS capable systems. The media will be loaded into Marine Corps capable JTIDS units to determine if they will load and operate. They incorporate FMF comments on NDLs provided, into subsequent NDL revisions.

Once directed, Sierra Cybernetics personnel attend program related design reviews, operational requirements and technical working groups supporting the development of Joint Networks and Marine Corps specific networks, as well as meetings to enhance the JTIDS NDA software.

Sierra Cybernetics in concert with the FMF will develop JTIDS Contingency Networks. This is accomplished by developing Marine Corps JTIDS networks based on input from FMF commanders in support of their numbered operational plans. Assigned personnel will brief the approach to design the required networks and options to the networks. They will determine the characteristics of suitable Marine Corps networks. Based on information received about operational plans, they recommend suitable enhancements to the Joint networks to maximize Marine Corps functionality in the networks. They match the design requirements with the concept of operations and scheme of maneuver for the assigned forces. Based on information exchanged with the appropriate FMF commanders, they determine the topology of C2 and non-C2 participants for a particular JTIDS network. They develop options for the basic NDLs. To facilitate the exchange of information with the FMF they will produce in the form of slides, charts and text, descriptions of the network(s) and options for the network(s). They will present the graphical information so that the appropriate staffs of the FMF Commanders can make rational decisions about the utility of the developed networks.

Sierra Cybernetics personnel provide JTIDS Strategy Development. Provide current and future JTIDS concept of operations requirements, engineering and design, Joint Acceptance Testing, evaluation, documentation and software fielding in the laboratory and on-site systems. Assist in the development of strategies to accomplish the Marine Corps concept of employment for JTIDS and TADIL J networks.