By Geoff Fein
The Naval Network Warfare Command has extended the deployment of General Dynamics‘ [GD] the Common Network Interface (CNI) software package on the Navy’s Information Technology-21st century (IT-21) platforms through March 2012 to allow fleet operators to continue to evaluate the system, the company reported.
CNI improves situational awareness for Amphibious Readiness Group commanders by delivering a Link-16 tactical picture, modern displays and human-machine interface enhancements, according to General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems.
“The Common Network Interface brings much needed tactical awareness tools to the Task Force Command Center (TFCC) on LHA/LHD-class ships. The open architecture approach used by the Navy with this system enables rapid capability insertion of new capabilities and decision aids to ensure leadership makes informed decisions at sea,” Chuck Neary, director of surface Navy programs, told Defense Daily yesterday.
Common Network Interface is in use on five amphibious assault ships including USS Nassau (LHA-4), USS Peleliu (LHA-5), USS Boxer (LHD-4), USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) and USS Kearsarge (LHD-3). The Navy plans to install CNI systems on USS Bataan (LHD-5) and USS Essex (LHD-2) by the end of June 2010, General Dynamics said.
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“The Navy’s decision to extend the deployment of the software until 2012 shows great support for open architecture based systems in the fleet,” Neary said. “The beauty of an open architecture approach is its ability to easily integrate stand alone/stove-piped or legacy systems on ships. This application could also help the Navy eliminate obsolescence issues on some of the older systems in the fleet to help extend their life, saving additional modernization dollars.”
Comprised of a Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) processor and software suite, CNI is capable of integrating and displaying multiple-source data into a real-time tactical picture. Watch officers can view and manipulate tactical data, develop situational awareness and access a variety of tools and software applications from one source as opposed to multiple stovepiped displays, the company has said.
“CNI brings an open architecture system to the Navy that is designed right now to support the task force command center and the leaders that will man that center and take those ships to sea,” Neary said. “It provides tactical awareness tools to allow leaders to make better decisions in their everyday operations at sea.”
The Common Network Interface, which is based on an open architecture computing system, leverages existing software developed for other Department of Defense projects or by other industry vendors, providing flexibility and adaptability for future missions. CNI also employs the Navy’s rapid capability insertion process, ensuring increased capability is incorporated at a faster rate through frequent software upgrade cycles. Developed in a series of “flights,” each deployment of CNI inserts additional tactical capability and improves the user interface without incurring high costs associated with dismantling and reinstalling entire systems. General Dynamics incorporates feedback from fleet users with each flight ensuring warfighter-driven improvements are included. In the future, this system will also provide a single integrated display of correlated radar and link picture, according to General Dynamics.