Space Force seeks to upgrade missile warning computer networking with open-systems hardware and software
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – U.S. Space Force missile-warning experts are reaching out to industry for information on companies able to modernize and upgrade the Space Force's missile warning launch and early orbit and operational collaboration capabilities.
Officials of the Space Systems Command in El Segundo, Calif., issued a sources-sought notice (FA8810-24-RFI-GECKO-NET) last week for the Government Enterprise Collaboration and Knowledge Objective-NET (GECKO-NET) project.
This project emphasizes systems upgrades and modernization that emphasize open, modular, and expandable open-systems industry-standard computer hardware and software.
Space Force wants unclassified information on potential approaches upgrade today's missile warning launch and early orbit and operational collaboration capabilities from the Enterprise Collaboration System (ECS) to a modern infrastructure with expanded connectivity.
Companies responding should provide details on how the Space Force should design, develop, integrate, and test proposed solutions without adversely influencing current operations or Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) development.
The overall approach should address:
-- supporting advanced modern software and hardware solutions;
-- capitalizing on elements of existing hardware and software;
-- retaining existing data libraries;
-- producing secret and top secret-level capabilities and one way data connectivity from Secret to Top Secret;
-- protecting proprietary data across many users;
-- creating a Space Force-owned approach for integrating new space- and ground-based mission systems;
-- supporting rapid incremental capability delivery;
-- operations and maintenance;
-- providing global infrastructure capabilities; and
-- compliance with Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Mission Control Station (MCS) and SBIRS Mission Control Station-back-up (MCS-B) with the Space System Command and Overheard Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Site Integration Standards (OSIS).
GECKO-NET seeks to design, develop, integrate, test, and begin operations for capabilities comparable to the current system. The project will develop a collaborative environment among operators, engineers, and factory support providers through digital data, voice, and video accesses in Missile Warning, Tracking and Defense (MWTD) mission areas.
GECKO-NET will process data from Defense Support Program (DSP), SBIRS, Next Generation OPIR Geosynchronous (NGG), Next Generation OPIR Polar (NGP), Missile Track Custody (MTC), Ground-based Radars (GBR) and future MWTD programs.
System capabilities include factory connectivity; memogram coordination; temporary procedures; critical information files; scheduling rules; logging; problem reports; scheduling requests; file storage; email capability; Microsoft Office applications; instant messaging; video conferencing; voice over internet protocol (VOIP) communications. Space Force leaders want these capabilities in place no later than September 2027.
There are significant risks and challenges when the Space Force serves as the lead system integrator, officials warn. Because of this, the GECKO-NET program must find the right balance between minimizing the role of Space Force as the lead system integrator making the most of cost savings, flexibility, and the benefits of working with several technology partners.
Space Force would like responders to recommended integration approaches that reduce the risk of integrating the hardware and infrastructure developed in different contracts and by different organizations. Recommendations may include combining some or all elements under one provider.
Space Force also is interested in lessons learned on similar programs concerning high-risk ground system software integration. This response also should include information on any successfully implemented integration approaches that have been executed on similar programs.
Related: The technological challenges of complex missile defense
The Space Force must own the GECKO-NET solution technical baseline, and is asking industry to use common services and applications as much as possible, and minimize the need for mission-unique software. Common services and applications should be as platform agnostic as possible.
Companies interested should email responses no later than 2 Aug. 2024 to the Space Force's Maj. Devin Leong at [email protected] and Capt. Brenden West at [email protected].
Email contracting questions or concerns to the Space Force's Capt. David Kirkland at [email protected]. More information is online at https://sam.gov/opp/ae1746141b2844679bc1c6b1bf0c1293/view.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
