NOC (Northrop Grumman Corporation) displayed ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and Emerging C2 (command and control) processes, to the combatant community from 26th July to 13th August in the USJFCOM (U.S. Joint Forces Command) exercise titled Empire Challenge 2010 (EC10). The exercise was about showing how U.S. military and other troops can assemble, evaluate, cooperate, and share pertinent ISR data.
Taking part in the event from Suffolk and Fort Huachuca, NOC used a range of virtual systems, such as the Global Hawk Block 40 with MP-RTIP radar, the Bat family of tactical and multi-mission unmanned aircraft, Global Hawk Block 30, E-2D Hawkeye with UAV control and advanced sensor systems, Trinidad with an all-weather tactical sensor and a responsive space-based ISR system, and an ISR Battle Management Technologies and C2 incorporated, E-8C Joint STARS.
According to Chris Frangos, program manager EC10, and Director of Advanced Program and Technology Division, NOC is famous for its ISR systems and this exercise was conducted with an eye to the intelligence process’ TPED (tasking, processing, exploitation, and dissemination) progression. The event is an attempt to ensure that the data produced by the NOC systems is converted into actionable data and distributed among coalition and joint combatants.
NOC’s ability to demonstrate comes from a singular accord, called CRADA (Cooperative Research and Development Agreement), with USJFCOM and its replicating environment. As a part of the agreement, NOC works in cooperation with TTPs (Tactics Techniques and Procedures) and CONOPS (command to refine concepts of Operation), to boost the combatants’ capacity to bring into line military maneuvering tactics with ISR and C2. The company also supplies immersive simulating techniques, while USJFCOM encourages the combatants to take part in the research.
To enhance the range of live traffic during the exercise, a tool called JSAF (Joint Semi-Automated Forces) created by the USJFCOM was utilized. It was employed to develop a multi-faceted working environment by incorporating non-military vehicles and pedestrians in a simulation of a real-world warfare to identify potential threats. In the model, red and blue colors were used. The red forces carried out a number of aggressive operations, such as placement of explosives, kidnap situations, and mortar assaults while the blue forces took care of the pre and post assault operations. The live exercise operations and virtual activities were merged together to form a COP (common operational picture).
Source: http://www.northropgrumman.com