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Virtual Mission Operations Center

VMOC logoA General Dynamics initiative,the Virtual Mission Operations Center (VMOC; Nautilus Horizon), provides a framework for mission partners to define, test, and field an IP-based command and control system capable of supporting secure distributed mission operations of any IP-based platform or sensor. The VMOC provides a path for the rapid development and demonstration of new technologies within the relevant environment. We believe incremental integration and demonstration of key technologies, and architectures will lead the way to true Transformational Communications by turning bandwidth into military utility and facilitate many of the goals of network centric warfare. The Naval Research Laboratory is fielding the first operational VMOC in support of the TacSat-1 flying in 2004. This VMOC is tied to the SIPRNET and will be the user interface for tasking the satellite.

A joint demonstration with the Air Force Space Battle Lab, Army Space and Missile Defense Battle Lab, and NASA Glenn Research Center is planned for the second quarter of 2004. The Surrey UKDMC Microsat with a CISCO Mini-router was successfully launched on 27 September 2003. The VMOC will tie users in the field directly to the spacecraft via the open Internet. The 14th AF commander is the demonstration advocate and will host the Army Space Support Element Toolset at Vandenberg AFB, Calif. serving as the field user location. The primary VMOC will be located in the AF Center for Research Support (CERES) on Schriever AFB, CO, with the backup VMOC located at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. With the satellite ground stations tied to the Internet, the VMOCs are the control elements that orchestrate the tie between the user and the spacecraft. Access to the VMOC is controlled and monitored for intrusion with a defense in depth strategy. The Office of the Secretary of Defense, Rapid Acquisition Incentive- Network Centric (RAI-NC) program is providing funding for the demonstration. The VMOC ranked #2 out of 120 RAI-NC candidates.

The Nautilus Horizon Virtual Mission Operations Center approaches satellite and UAV sensor development, deployment, and operation from an entirely new vantage point. The transformational Communications Architecture is expected to utilize Internet Protocols to ensure interoperability between terrestrial (land, sea, and air) and satellite-based systems. Understanding the differences between existing systems and tomorrow's networked satellite systems is the key. The VMOC will, for the first time, tie remote space operators directly to an orbiting spacecraft through a web environment. The VMOC will continue spiral  development to enhance system interoperability and responsiveness, enhance situational awareness, facilitate system of systems solutions, and support automated machine-tomachine interactions.

 


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