First U.S. Navy installation of DMS Afloat

CHIPS, Winter, 2004

In a huge step toward implementing a common messaging solution for warfighters afloat and ashore, the Naval Modular Automated Communication Systems (NAVMACS II)/Single Messaging Solution (SMS) Phase II was installed on the USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) and underwent initial fleet evaluation during October 2003 sea trials. Installation of this tactical command and control system also marks a big step toward realizing the Chief of Naval Operations FORCEnet vision of full interoperability between the Navy and Marine Corps--and the rest of the Department of Defense (DoD).

At the same time, it brings Navy one step closer to the DoD vision of a Global Information Grid that links the Navy to U.S. government agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, the Defense Logistics Agency, the National Imaging and Mapping Agency and the National Security Agency.

SMS II, also called "DMS Afloat," brings with it the first implementation of the Defense Message System (DMS) in an afloat tactical environment. DMS provides the battle planners on a Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) staff with a flexible, COTS-based, network-centric, application layer system that bridges communication networks and also provides interoperability with other U.S. and allied forces. Trials with this state-of-the-art advance in communication on an operational Navy ship will provide essential metrics toward increasing communication performance for end-to-end, secure and interoperable organizational messaging.

Capable of delivering data messages with the future enhancements of voice and video attachments, DMS Afloat provides better-protected, faster communications at a measured lower Internet Protocol (IP) overhead than comparable SMTP e-mail. It also provides the capability to interlink existing legacy systems and future DMS architectures. The goal of DMS Afloat is to provide a single point of receipt and transmission for all organizational message traffic. Existing communications architecture reflects legacy, serial protocol tactical communication message processing system technologies (hardware and software) that are, in some cases, over 30 years old. These legacy systems are candidates for planned phase-out, upgrade or replacement using an evolutionary acquisition process as we gradually migrate towards DMS.

"The USS Belleau Wood has a distinguished history of service to the nation and now has the distinction of being the inaugural DMS Afloat ship. I applaud the Navy's success in this initial shipboard implementation, which expands the messaging envelop to the Navy tactical environment. DMS is now the system of record for official Department of Defense message communications. This event signifies the Navy's commitment to transforming their C2 messaging capability throughout the fleet," said Mr. Verlin Hardin, Defense Information Systems Agency, Defense Message System Program Manager, Washington, D.C.

"DMS Afloat delivers on the fleet requirement for a common, robust, high assurance, organizational messaging solution that supports Navy warfighters and embarked forces from all Services. It is an enabler that allows the Navy to plug into DoD's emerging Global Information Grid while providing a state-of-the-art, IP-based organizational messaging capability to the fleet," said Captain Bill Bry, USN, PEO (C4I-Space) PMW 166, Organizational Messaging Program Manager, San Diego, Calif.

As a military communications processor, SMS provides message services to afloat tactical warfighters along with command, control and communication functionalities. It provides a universal messaging process, open-architecture environment and state-of-the-art technology that reduces operator training, technical support, maintenance and overall life cycle system costs.

SMS provides capabilities via high-speed global messaging utilizing IP networks to connect the afloat tactical user with ship-to-shore and inter/intra (ship-to-ship) battle group operational messaging. SMS also supports the existing legacy circuits that are being phased out as all military message traffic transitions to the single transport layer known as the Defense Information System Network (DISN). During this transition period, SMS Phases I and II will connect the various types of organizational message traffic via legacy channels and emerging IP messaging technologies, while migrating to DMS.

The SMS program was structured as an evolutionary acquisition process with phased development that has a scalable system design. As such, the main configuration differences between SMS and the different variants are in the number of extra workstations provided and other specific DMS architecture components. SMS brings to Navy's afloat tactical environment a high-level, high assurance messaging capability while adapting to Joint and Allied/Coalition Interoperability requirements. The system features for the NAVMACS versions up through SMS Phase II are summarized as follows:

* NAVMACS (V) is UYK 20, 1970s based H/W and S/W with little memory and little capability. NAVMACS II, the replacement for NAVMACS (V), uses Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) hardware with Government-off-the-Shelf (GOTS) software that adapts functionality into the Graphical User Interface (GUI) environment.