WPL, INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF161-055

Description

The aging Hardened Intersite Cable System (HICS) provides the backbone for communications within a Missile Wing. HICS allows every Launch Control Center (LCC) to securely command, control, and monitor every Launch Facility (LF) in its squadron. This program seeks to modernize intra-squadron communications with a wireless Weapon System Command and Control (WSC2) capability. A wireless WSC2 system would not face the same sustainment issues as HICS (e.g., damaged cable repair) and would provide secure LCC/LF-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communications.WPL has extensive experience supporting the development, integration, and sustainment of Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) technology. One of our engineers served as an Air Force NC3 Lead Command Manager from 2010 to 2015; another was requested by name to advise the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center's NC3 Sustainment Integration Assessment Team.In Phase I, WPL will perform a technology feasibility assessment to identify a communications architecture that conforms to the requirements and constraints imposed by the NC3 application. Preliminary designs for the physical, data link, and network layers of our architecture will also be developed in Phase I. WPL has identified Lockheed Martin as a Phase III transition partner; we will work with Lockheed Martin beginning in Phase I.