Command and Control Rapid Prototyping Continuum (C2RPC) Transition: Bridging the Valley of Death

摘要

In FY 2009, the Office of Naval Research (ONR), in collaboration with Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (PEO C4I), initiated a modified S&T development process designed to deliver new capabilities for the Navy's Maritime Tactical C2 (MTC2) POR. This new initiative is the C2 Rapid Prototyping Continuum (C2RPC) and is jointly funded by ONR and PEO C4I. In this relationship, new technology prototypes are assessed in an operational environment at the Commander Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT) Headquarters in anticipation of transition, in whole or in part, to PEO C4I's Command and Control Program Office (PMW 150) for incorporation into the next generation operational C2 POR. C2RPC has streamlined the S&T phases of the acquisition process, coupling emerging technology requirements, development, testing, and integration phases into a continuous agile software development model. PMW 150 concurrently facilitated the early introduction of the new capability prototypes to the Rapid Integration and Test Environment (RITE), established by PMW 150 for test and evaluation of maritime C2 software. RITE has an established information repository which allows prototype developers to share a common development infrastructure and to communicate and collaborate directly with POR test and integration engineers. By engaging with the POR early in the prototype demonstration phase, the selected capabilities are well positioned for successful transition as they reach the requisite technology readiness levels (TRLs) needed for full development. This paper presents the C2RPC development and transition processes, using a rapid incremental development model that aligns with the new information technology (IT) acquisition cycle and bridges the software transition valley of death.