Rishi Patel, U.S. Air Force; Varlin Sheffey, AFRL/RV & Space Force; Ryan Waterer, Tech7; James Tippets, Tech7; David Stout, MITRE Corporation
Keywords: JTF-SD, JCO, Dragon Army, Sync Service, Space Domain Awareness, AFRL, Space Policy, Data Fusion, Technical, Integration, International, Collaboration, SACT, Sprint Advanced Concept Training, Space Traffic Management, SDA, STM
Abstract:
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is establishing a program called the Defense Readiness Agile Gaming Ops Networks Army (DRAGON Army) operations to revolutionize the way the Department of Defense (DoD) develops, validates, and integrates operational software for the space warfighter. DRAGON Army is designed to support the space domain awareness community. It creates applications through Development and Operations (DevOps) processes demonstrating their efficacy by supporting the Joint Task Force – Space Defense Commercial Operation (JCO) Cell in daily global operations. The JCO seeks to expand operations among multiple coordinated operations centers globally in partnership with allied militaries, commercial industries, and the U.S. Air National Guard. In support of this vision, the DRAGON Army Synchronization (Sync) Service enables real-time system-to-system synchronization of operator events, analytical products, data-driven assessments, and actions to populate mission management tool suites for U.S. and allied space operator teams. The Sync Service provides a common U.S. government-owned standardized framework which allows for a lower barrier to entry for emerging technologies. In addition, the Sync Service architecture enables simplified interoperability and real-time communication across the disparate systems of the international community. This integral communication capability is critical to achieving continuous global commercial space operations. Utilizing the Sync Service, the JCO can efficiently operate on the worldwide stage and is empowered to bring international partners into the fold with a lowered entry bar. This innovative operational framework is setting the precedent for global collaborative SDA operations and setting the groundwork for future international policy changes.
Date of Conference: September 19-22, 2023
Track: Space Domain Awareness