A General Dynamics C4 Systems-led team received a contract from the U.S. Marine Corps to build up to four Engineering Development Models and nine Limited Deployment Units of the Processing and Display/Sensor Data Subsystem for Increment 1, Phase 2 of the Common Aviation Command and Control System.
When built and fully operational, the General Dynamics system will deliver a real-time picture of events taking place at sea, in the air and on land during a mission, enabling faster, more informed decision making for Marine Corps commanders and their staffs. The contract has a total potential value of $61.4 million if all options are exercised.
“We have worked side-by-side with the Marines for many years and have a unique understanding of the complexity and intensity of their overall mission. By supporting swift and decisive movement from the sea, the air and on the ground, this next-generation command-and-control system is a key enabler of the Marine Corps’ amphibious capabilities,” said Chris Marzilli.
The PDS/SDS is the aviation command-and-control enabler for three mission-critical air command and control organizations that support Marines on the ground. The Tactical Air Command Center provides airspace management, the Direct Air Support Center controls air assault and other airborne operations and the Tactical Air Operations Center performs air surveillance and controls air-to-air fighter and air defense.
The General Dynamics-designed subsystem will increase the mobility and agility of Marines operating on land, in the air and at sea. It is also smaller, lighter and more energy efficient compared to earlier stove-piped systems. The complete CAC2S is based on commercial-off-the-shelf components that deliver manufacturing and operational efficiencies and reduce training and logistics support costs.
The General Dynamics-led team includes Fulton, Md.-based Raytheon Solipsys; Smartronix, Inc., of Stafford, Va.; Ternion Corp., of Huntsville, Ala.; and Engility of San Diego.
