Cloud-Based Data Fusion System Deployment for Battle Management
The United States Air Force deployed SciTec data fusion technology to integrate diverse telemetry feeds for the Cloud-Based Command and Control program.
fireflyspace.com
The United States Department of the Air Force (DAF) operates the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) to support homeland defense missions. Within this framework, organizations including the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), and Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) require continuous situational awareness. The operational challenge involves processing disparate military and civilian data feeds to generate a centralized, actionable overview of the operational environment. This capability is structurally required to support the broader Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) warfighting system.
Technical Solution and Competitive Evaluation
To address these command-and-control requirements, the DAF Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management (PAE C3BM) directorate initiated the Cloud-Based Command and Control (CBC2) program. Following a multi-year competition evaluating multiple government-owned and industry alternatives, the DAF selected a cloud-based data fusion system developed by SciTec, a subsidiary of Firefly Aerospace. The system was selected for its capacity to ingest varying data feeds and mathematically fuse them with supplementary telemetry sources. The deployment is funded through an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract initially awarded in 2024 for $24 million, with a recently executed operational data fusion option valued at $5.5 million.
System Architecture and Operational Deployment
The SciTec data fusion architecture functions as the operational core for the CBC2 program. By unifying isolated data streams, the system is engineered to provide military operators with a consolidated picture of the battlespace. Stephen Purcell, Director of SciTec’s All Domain Solutions, indicated that the architecture addresses the complexity of modern command operations by generating the resilient, high-speed decision parameters necessary for homeland defense. The software integrates directly into the DAF Battle Network, replacing localized intelligence silos with a distributed cloud infrastructure.
Agile Methodology and Software Integration
The implementation of the CBC2 system utilizes agile software methodologies to update and maintain battle management protocols. This infrastructure model allows for the continuous delivery of software tools directly to NORAD, USNORTHCOM, and PACAF hardware without extended operational downtime. Lt. Gen. Luke Cropsey, Military Deputy for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, noted that the program focuses on rapidly integrating new software tools to adjust how the DAF structures future battle management operations.
Edited by an industrial journalist, Lekshman Ramdas, with AI assistance.
www.fireflyspace.com
