DCGS-A-INTEL

The Distributed Common Ground System - Army (DCGS-A-INTEL) program is a critical line item within the Army's Other Procurement budget, specifically under Communications and Electronics Equipment for Tactical Intelligence Related Activities (TIARA). DCGS-A serves as the Army's primary Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) System of Systems, enabling joint, interagency, allied, coalition, and national data analysis, sharing, and collaboration. The program's overarching goal is to synchronize ISR Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (PED) efforts both vertically and horizontally. This enhances the Army's ability to operate in a networked environment across multiple security levels.

DCGS-A's objectives include the integration and control of select Army and joint sensor systems, fusion of acquired data and information, and distribution of relevant threat, non-aligned, and environmental data to support warfighter early warning and targeting capabilities. The system is fielded in fixed, mobile, and portable configurations, which allows for flexible reach and split-based operations. This approach is designed to improve data accessibility while reducing the forward deployed footprint. It aligns with Army modernization priorities and operational requirements.

A key aspect of DCGS-A is its hardware and software architecture, which leverages a mix of Government Off The Shelf (GOTS), Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS), and Non-Developmental Items (NDI). These elements are integrated into scalable configurations tailored to specific warfighting functions. The product line includes a software baseline, the Intelligence Fusion Server (IFS), and Multi-Function Workstations (MFWS) in both portable and fixed variants. These components are also used to upgrade existing fielded intelligence programs. This supports the establishment of the Army Common Operating Environment (COE) and ensures system compatibility and interoperability across the DCGS-A enterprise.

The program has undergone several acquisition milestones, including the DCGS-A Increment 1 Full Deployment Decision (FDD) and subsequent fielding decisions for Release 1 and Release 2 capabilities. These decisions, approved by the Army Acquisition Executive, followed successful operational testing and evaluation events. Full deployment of DCGS-A Increment 1 Release 1 was declared in June 2019, marking a significant step in delivering enhanced ISR capabilities to Army units.

For Fiscal Year 2026, the DCGS-A-INTEL line item includes base procurement funding to maintain the DCGS-A COTS hardware baseline. This ensures that system configurations remain available for unit self-funded procurement actions as the Army pivots toward modernization and enduring capabilities. The funding also supports continued alignment with Army COE objectives, reinforcing the program's role in the Army's broader modernization strategy.

Additionally, Fiscal Year 2026 base procurement supports the enduring requirement for Operation Spartan Shield (OSS). This funding maintains the COTS hardware baseline and ensures that system configurations are available for units supporting OSS. This reflects adjustments in procurement needs and ongoing modernization efforts.