Gives Commanders More Real-Time Information, Aids Mission
Planning
Military commanders’ access to
more accurate and timely information for decision-making and
implementing time-critical actions can increase dramatically based
on a recent Boeing demonstration of the Battle Management Command
and Control System (BMC2) prototype.
The BMC2 System, being developed for the US Air Force, was
demonstrated late last year at Boeing facilities in Mesa (AZ).
Operators used workstations with displays incorporating 3-D
visualization and graphics to simultaneously locate, identify and
plan strike missions for multiple ground targets and defend against
multiple air threats. The targets and threats included tanks,
low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles.
Led by Boeing Phantom Works Integrated Defense Advanced Systems
(IDeAS), the team also includes General Dynamics and BAE SYSTEMS
Mission Solutions.
“This test was another positive step in proving the Boeing
team’s open architecture solution is on track for providing
transformational network-centric operation capabilities,”
said Rick Baily, Boeing Phantom Works IDeAS vice president and
deputy general manager. “The BMC2 system will allow
commanders to execute their missions effectively based on
unprecedented access to timely and accurate information.”
The demonstration proved the Boeing team’s ability to meet
stringent operational timing requirements set by the Air Force.
As part of the Air Force’s vision to evolve into a
network-centric capable force, BMC2 enables a battle management
system that integrates theater-wide sensors; command, control,
communications; and weapons tasking to maximize the
warfighter’s effectiveness. The prototype, demonstrated in
late 2003, met these demanding requirements through the use of a
Boeing-developed integrated operating environment that accommodates
and simplifies the use of both new and legacy mission software
services.
Unlike current systems, the Boeing prototype demonstrated new
services can be integrated with little or no change to the
infrastructure itself. In addition, the Boeing BMC2 System enables
inter operability and information management while serving as a
node within the network centric environment. The result is a single
network to support air and ground surveillance and targeting within
the integrated battle space.
BMC2 operators view a display much like ones on personal
computers and use a Human Machine Interface (HMI) framework to
control numerous applications and tasks simultaneously. The
demonstration proved that operator displays are user friendly,
which simplifies operational use and training.
The Boeing team also captured data showing that program risks
for meeting challenging development cost and schedule requirements
were reduced significantly by the virtual collaboration methods
used to prepare for and conduct the demonstration.
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