Jennifer Krolikowski, SMC/ECXC; Edward Jones, SMC/ECXC; Reginald Shelton, SMC/ECXC; Rachele Szall, SMC/ECXC
Keywords: software, development, space command and control, agile, acquisition
Abstract:
The Kobayashi Maru program develops Space Domain Awareness, Coalition and Theater Support, Battle Management Command and Control, and Indications and Warning (I&W) capabilities via a Development, Security, and Operations (DevSecOps) approach that links users with mission application developers to leverage Open Mission Systems/User Control Interface messaging standards. This results in recurring capability delivery to the operations floor.
Kobayashi Maru provides capabilities that bring critical services to our warfighters to facilitate timely, quality driven battlespace decisions. The program provides infrastructure and enterprise services, as well as develops mission applications to enable responsive, resilient operational-level Space C2 capabilities for the NSDC, CSpOC, 18 SPCS, and other C2 centers. Employing an agile-based Rapid Delivery Framework (RDF) with a 90-day Program Increment (PI) construct fosters a collaborative and integrated environment for the community to effectively plan and deliver C2 capabilities.
Space C2 Software (SW) factory focuses on rapidly delivering operational capabilities to our warfighters. Portfolio Program Management (PPM) and the Portfolio Requirements Management Team (PRMT) establish and break down large requirements into manageable batch sizes for rapid processing on the factory floor. Development teams further break down requirements into user stories that are processed through Space C2s Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipeline. Mission capable applications are continuously delivered to the space operations centers. Figure 1 provides a graphical representation of the Kobayashi Maru SW factory operation.
Kobayashi Marus software product portfolios include Space Domain Awareness, Space Defense, Space Tasking Cycle, Electronic Warfare, Delta Status and Reporting and Defensive Cyber Operations – Space (DCO-S). Development, Security and Operations (DevSecOps) Infrastructure is the Kobayashi Maru-enabling product line, providing the foundation of the enterprise CI/CD pipeline, DaaS, and other enterprise infrastructure and platform services. The Kobayashi Maru Enterprise Engineering product line, also referred to as C-Deck, provides overarching systems engineering, architectural integration, and requirements management functions to ensure Space C2 delivers integrated, responsive capabilities that meet user needs.
Space C2 dubbed our overarching effort Kobayashi Maru after the training exercise in Star Trek designed to test the character of Starfleet Academy cadets in a no-win scenario. Only one individual, James T. Kirk, was able to beat the scenario by doing things differently and changing the code. We aim to do that with the approach to delivering Space C2 mission capabilities as well. #ToBoldlyCode
With respect to acquisition imperatives, the current Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) Commander and Space Force Program Executive Officer for Space, Lt Gen John T. Thompson, stated [1]:
SMC has embarked on a bold transformation to improve how we deliver resilient, war-winning space capabilities
faster. With the re-architecting effort, SMC began implementing rapid acquisition tools and embodying the
aspirations of Enterprise, Partnership, Innovation, Culture, and Speed (EPIC Speed). We will enhance existing
partnerships and seek new opportunities with DoD agencies, other national space entities and our industry
partners, to drive and deliver war-winning capabilities to our warfighters.
In addition, Dr Will Roper, Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, stated [2]:
Weve got to kill the major defense acquisition program as it is today, and replace it with something that looks
more like the Century Series [when the Air Force fielded six new fighters from five different manufacturers in just
five years] development of the early Air Force.
To address both of these statements, Kobayashi Maru has created critical development and operational enablers such
as IT architecture, DevSecOps processes, and enterprise services to enable rapid capability deployment by the Space
C2 product lines across multiple security levels. In addition, the program is working to implement agile acquisition
and contracting that is able to deliver on demand.
Date of Conference: September 14-17, 2021
Track: SSA/SDA