Naval Theater Missile Defense and Joint Tactical Event System (JTES) architecture

Abstract

The U.S. Space Command is in the process of developing and implementing a Joint Tactical Event System (JTES), a.k.a. a Tactical Event System (TES), architecture that would utilize space based sensors (including DSP) to provide support to the four pillars of Theater Missile Defense (TMD): Passive Defense, Active Defense, Attack Operations, and C3I. The JTES architecture will incorporate tactical processing of this data utilizing systems that are or have been developed, including the Tactical Detection and Reporting (TACDAR) system, the Talon Shield Central Tactical Processing Element (CTPE), and the Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS). A study of the architectural issues associated with the implementation of the JTES was conducted for the U.S. Naval Space Command. The goal of this study was to ascertain how best to utilize the JTAGS system in an integrated JTES architecture that incorpor a t e s both entral ized (CONUS based) a n d relocatable tactical processing elements. Connectivity, multiple reports for the same events, and the dynamic nature of operational situations were found to be key issues which the JTES architecture must be designed to accommodate. These factors drove the development of an adaptable architecture which uses the flexibility of the JTAGS system to best advantage while exploiting the capabilities of a centralized processing element. JTES Arch i t ec tu re and the TMD Mission As currently envisioned by USCINCSPACE, the JTES will consist of both relocatable processing elements and at least one central, fixed-site processing element. The relocatable processing element is represented by the ArniylNavy JTAGS. The central processing elements are represented by the USAF Talon Shield CTPE and the Navy TENCAP Radiant Ivory program (recently redesignated as the Tactical Detection and Reporting system, or TACDAR.) It is worth emphasizing that the goal of this study was not to decide which of these three systems was better, but to ascertain how best t o utilize the JTAGS system in an integrated JTES that incorporates both centralized and relocatable tactical processing elements. Three different factors were considered in the development of a JTES architecture. In fact, the interplay of these factors drives not only the architecture of the system itself, but the methodology by which the architecture is synthesized (Fig. 1.) v . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fig. 1. Architecture Synthesis Methodology The first, and probably foremost, of these factors is the variety of missions which the system must support. The requirements that the missions will place on the JTES must be defined and their effect on the architecture factored into the analysis. Secondly, there are the components which make up the JTES system. At the most fundamental level, these consist of the relocatable processing element (the JTAGS), and the two centralized processing elements (Talon Shield’s CTPE and Radiant Ivory). The relative advantages and disadvantages of these systems must be assessed in order t o determine how best t o utilize them in the overall JTES architecture. L; Finally, there are what we call “dynamic effects.” These are factors, such as operational tempoorthe functionalstatus ofJTESsubsystems, which are variable in nature and which influence the JTES mission capability. The effects of these factors must be characterized and the architecture must be designedin such a way as t o adapt to these changing conditions. TMD missions fall into three broad categories: passive defense, active defense, and attack operations (Fig. 2.) Passivedefenseconsistsofniethods by which both enemy targeting effectiveness and the potential damage from a theater ballistic missile attack are minimized.