While trolling the net for background information on military communications systems, I ran across this item for the FY06 federal budget with some planning information on the Joint Chiefs of Staff HFGCS network. This is a pretty revealing document including information on a new alternate NCS-W capability to the system and a new station to upgrade CENTCOMs capability in the Middle East. The new station will be located in Al Udied, Qatar.
I have a complete profile of the HFGCS in the archives of this blog. This is a great network to monitor if you are HF equipped. Here is all the particulars from the FY06 budget request:
The Radio Equipment element includes the High Frequency Global Communications System (HFGCS), a cost-effective, networked solution for providing near global communications coverage for both voice and data to aircrews. This element procures new, high frequency (HF) radio equipment and supports its integration for the Air Force (AF) at 15 strategically located ground stations around the world. This Command and Control/National Security System (C2/NSS) is the Department of Defense's (DoD's) only high-power, high-frequency C2 network. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) tasked the AF to be the executive agent for this worldwide command and control network. The HFGCS is a global C2 network providing Beyond Line Of Sight, interoperable voiceand data communications for strategic and tactical forces. The HFGCS serves as the primary C2 resource for Air Mobility Command (AMC) cargo and tanker aircraft. The HFGCS program supports Mystic Star (Presidential communications), the United States Air Force's Global HF System, Defense Communications System (DCS) HF Entry, US Navy High Command (HICOM) Network, and other US government high-power HF missions. A Teleportcapable system (a telecommunications collection and distribution point, providing deployed warfighters with multiband, multimedia, and a means for worldwide reach-back), the HFGCS supports war plans and the daily operational requirements of the following organizations: White House Communications Agency (WHCA); JCS; US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), the National Military Command Center with Emergency Action Message distribution; AMC; Special Air Mission (SAM) fleet communications; Air Combat Command (ACC); Air Intelligence Agency (AIA); Air ForceSpace Command (AFSPC); United States Air Forces Europe (USAFE); and Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).
1. SYSTEM CAPABLE OF PLANNED EXPANSION (SCOPE) COMMAND HF RADIO STATION REPLACEMENT: The SCOPE Command program (the acquisition program supporting the HFGCS weapons system) provides for modernization of selected high-power HFGCS ground radio equipment and supports upgrading the 15 AF HF global stations in accordance with the DoD's right sizing direction with state-of-the-art, commercial-off-the-shelf HF radio equipment.
a. NETWORK MODERNIZATION/IMPROVEMENTS: Supports US Central Command's (CENTCOM's) requirement to improve HF communicationsin their area of responsibility (AOR). The FY06 funding procures the engineering and technical analyses required to upgrade HF capabilities and support integration/interface of a new CENTCOM station into the Defense Information Systems Agency's (DISA's) Global Information Grid (GIG), which provides omnipresent, secure, robust, physically diverse terrestrial, airborne, and space-based transmission paths and information services between our fixed and deployed operating locations. FY06 funds procure radio equipment, including transmit and receive antennas, install and integrate this station into the globalHFGCS network, and provide for interface and integration of the weapons system into CENTCOM's Combined Air Operations Center at Al Udied, Qatar. This work includes the definition, design, installation, integration, and operational testing necessary to implement this capability.
To eliminate a single point of failure (identified as part of the post 9/11 mission review) and to meet system survivability needs, an alternate/backup Network Control Station (NCS) is required to ensure uninterrupted operations for this critical C2 system. This effort requires building block/spiral upgrades to the existing control network to allow for the integration of an alternate NCS (Network Control Station-West (NCS-W)) capability into the HFGCS operational environment. FY06 funding procures the NCS-W hardware/software and the integration of this critical capability into the HFGCS worldwide network.
FY06 funding provides for Information Assurance (IA) activities (actions that protect and defend information systems) and mandated DoD security upgrades. To mitigate system security risks and vulnerabilities, IA remediation actions must be continuously and consistently applied to the weapon systems. This funding provides for risk assessment, definition, engineering, technical analysis, integration, and operational testing required to implement IA upgrades on the global HFGCS network. DoD interface criteria mandate these upgrades to ensure the HFGCS weapon system complies with DISA's GIG.
b. ANTENNAS: Additional program requirements and costs include implementation of Secure/Nonsecure HF email and HF antennasupgrade/replacement. An HF email capability is required to provide the means to send and receive email messages between aircraft and ground stations via the HFGCS network. This capability provides improved command, control, and communications, and enhanced mission safety through the transmission of pilot information, weather updates, and mission reconnaissance and intelligence information. The HF email program includes the engineering, integration, equipment procurement, and modification of HFGCS ground stations and aircraft interface. Also included is the selective replacement/ upgrade of older, degraded HF antennas, as required, to support worldwide HFGCS network mission requirements.
c. ENGINEERING/INTEGRATION/TRAINING: FY06 funding procures engineering integration and items needed to support CENTCOM'srequirements to improve HF communications support in their AOR. Funding completes Alternate Network Control Station hardware and software procurement and integration of this critical capability into the HFGCS worldwide network. In accordance with Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration direction, FY06 funds will be used to make the HFGCS weapon system Internet Protocol Version 6 compliant.
The FY05 Appropriation Report 108-622, dated 20 July 2004, included a Congressional add of $4M to SCOPE Command. FY06 funds provide for network modernization/improvement Network Control Station-West (NCS-W) efforts with engineering, integration, network management, and security IAW DoD directives. Procurement and installation of SCOPE Command NCS-W will continue in FY06.
2. AFOSI TACTICAL RADIO SYSTEM: No FY06 funding requested.
3. ACC TRUNKED LMR SYSTEM: No FY06 funding requested.