Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC)

Overview

The Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) System is a software package used by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and combatant commands to support and integrate ballistic missile defense systems. C2BMC is responsible for integrating individual BMDS (Ballistic Missile Defense System) components to create a global, networked, and layered missile defense apparatus capable of identifying, tracking, and intercepting ballistic missile threats in all phases of flight.[1] The system is also utilized for planning missile defense engagements, situational awareness during engagements, managing missile trajectory calculation software, sensor management and control of AN/TPY-2, engagement monitoring, data exchange, and network management.[2] Today, more than 70 C2BMC workstations are fielded throughout the U.S. missile defense enterprise.

The C2BMC system is currently fielded at STRATCOM, NORTHCOM, EUCOM, PACOM, CENTCOM, numerous Army Air and Missile Defense Commands, Air and Space Operations Centers, and other supporting warfighter organizations. The system displays information from various satellites to provide situational awareness on BMD system status, system coverage, and ballistic missile trajectories. It provides coordination functions when multiple missile defense systems are used to engage a target. The C2BMC Spiral 6.4 update provides command and control for forward-based AN/TPY-2 radar systems, and updated sensor management, missile trajectory processing, and reporting. C2BMC sends information from forward based AN/TPY-2 and AN/SPY-1 to national missile defense systems. It also sends information from forward based AN/TPY-2 to theater missile defense systems.[3]

C2BMC is critical for regional U.S. BMD initiatives such as the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) because the command system interconnects various missile defense systems and sensors over large areas. Within EPAA, C2BMC is responsible for integrating U.S. Aegis BMD capabilities in Europe with a forward-deployed AN/TPY-2 radar in Turkey. Integration provided by C2BMC allows forward-deployed sensors—such as the U.S. AN/TPY-2 in Turkey—to alert and cue BMD systems in Europe, which, using data provided by C2BMC, can more efficiently identify, track, engage, and intercept ballistic missile threats.

Missile defense systems integrated by C2BMC include: Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD), Aegis BMD, Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), AN/TPY-2 radar, Sea-based X-band radar (SBX), Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR), and the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS).

Capabilities[4]

Executes coordinated, integrated ballistic missile defense through global networks
Interoperability with theater BMD elements to provide better situational awareness, including starting the systems during the initial launch of the missile
Enables collaborative planning, ensuring common courses of action
Provides common situational awareness
Integrates sensors, maximizing the ability of the BMDS to detect and track all threats
Coordinates weapon system engagements, capable of identifying, tracking, and engaging multiple threats simultaneously
Provide data that allows for greater discrimination capabilities from radar systems
Data sharing between Aegis BMD systems and C2BMC-networked systems
Pass filtered trajectory data between Aegis BMD, AN/TPY-2 radar, THAAD, SBX, UEWR, and SBIRS elements

Current Developments

Development of C2BMC Spiral 8.2 is scheduled for FY 2017-18 to patch issues found during ground and flight-testing in situational awareness and interoperability. The update is also scheduled to allow data integration from the Long-Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) into the BMDS.[5] MDA and Red Teams from the Threat Systems Management Office conducted stress tests of future C2BMC software spirals to reduce vulnerability to cyber attacks. These Red Teams, consisting of designated hackers who probe the software system for vulnerabilities used the newly created DOD Enterprise Cyber Range Environment (DECRE) to simulate actions that adversaries would take to compromise cyber security. MDA is also working to integrate C2BMC with the Army’s Integrated Battlefield Control System (IBCS) to allow exchanges of data on ballistic missiles between the systems.

Timeline

January 2019: The MDR calls upon the Commander of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), as DoD Enterprise Lead for Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3), shall, in coordination with Air Force and MDA, lead an assessment of the command and control capabilities and concepts of operation needed to provide early warning and attack assessment for advanced ballistic missile, cruise missile, and HGV threats. This report is due within nine months of the release of the MDR.
October 2015: During test FTO-02, C2BMC utilized post-intercept discrimination data provided by a THAAD/TPY-2 system to Aegis BMD, allowing the Aegis system to conduct anti-air operations in a post-intercept environment.[6] Also, during that month, C2BMC was used to share data between NATO allies during At Sea Demonstration 2015 and managed multiple AN/TPY-2 radars during GTD-06.
July 2015: C2BMC Spiral 6.4 participated in GTI-06 Part 3, a test which assessed BMDS performance and interoperability across USNORTHCOM. During the test, C2BMC managed AN/TPY-2 radar and forwarded tracking data to GMD fire control and cueing of Aegis BMD.[7]
June 23, 2015: Lockheed Martin secured a $870 million contract with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to continue engineering, developing, testing, integrating, fielding, and conducting on-site operations and sustainment support for C2BMC.[8]
June 2014: A team led by Lockheed Martin undertook a study to integrate C2BMC with the Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS).[9]
March 2014: Tests demonstrated C2BMC interoperability with theater BMD elements to provide better situational awareness, including starting the systems during the initial launch of the missile. This capability was further demonstrated in August 2014 Fast Exchange ground tests, where C2BMC managed three AN/TPY-2 radars and facilitated the passing of filtered missile trajectory data between these systems and Aegis BMD, THAAD, and Space-Based Infrared System elements.
December 2013: PACOM’s Fast Phoenix test demonstrated accurate and timely data sharing between Aegis BMD and C2BMC.
October 2013: Tests for CENTCOM and EUCOM showcased the ability of C2BMC to provide data allowing for greater discrimination from radar systems.
September 2013: During FTO-1, a joint test of Aegis BMD and THAAD, C2BMC successfully integrated an AN/TPY-2 radar with Aegis BMD and THAAD systems to destroy two medium-range ballistic missile targets.[10]
March 2012: Northrop Grumman Information Systems won a $96 million follow-on contract to continue supporting development, maintenance, and operations of C2MBC.[11]
February 2012: Raytheon was awarded a $38.1 million contract from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to provide engineering support to the C2BMC program.[12]
January 2012: Lockheed Martin was awarded a follow-on contract for $980 million to continue work on C2BMC for the MDA.[13]
August 2010: Northrop Grumman received a $90 million contract to develop techniques for sensor management and data processing, as well as the fusion of future sensors into the C2BMC system.[14]
April 2010: Lockheed Martin announced a $424 million contract to improve C2BMC security systems, situational awareness capabilities, and integrate sensors and weapon systems.[15]
December 2007: C2BMC Spiral 6.2 became operational allowing the system to perform more tasks with enhanced efficiency.[16]
2007: Lockheed Martin was awarded a $458 million contract to develop, integrate, and install C2BMC at U.S. operating stations.[17]
2004: The first C2BMC workstation became operational.[18]
2002: Lockheed Martin began developing C2BMC.[19]