Distributed Common Ground/Surface Systems

The Distributed Common Ground/Surface System (DCGS) - Special Operations Forces (SOF) is a key line item in the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) budget, supporting the Military Intelligence Program (MIP). The primary goal of this program is to provide rapid fielding of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) processing, exploitation, and dissemination (PED) capabilities, as well as advanced analytical tools, to SOF units at the Combatant Command, Theater Special Operations Command, and lower operational levels. The DCGS-SOF infrastructure is designed to interconnect warfighters, analysts, and sensors, enabling the identification and targeting of high-value targets and facilitating seamless intelligence sharing across the Department of Defense, national intelligence agencies, and multinational partners.

The Enterprise/All Source Information Fusion (ENT/ASIF) component of DCGS-SOF focuses on providing a globally connected, cloud-based architecture for SOF intelligence information sharing. Its objectives include delivering infrastructure, processing, and analytical tools that enable SOF personnel worldwide to access and share intelligence, even in disconnected or denied environments. ENT/ASIF has transitioned to the Software Acquisition Pathway, which eliminates the need for further procurement of IT hardware and reflects a shift toward software-driven solutions for intelligence fusion and analysis.

The SOF Geospatial Intelligence Imagery Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (SGIP) program provides capabilities for PED of both crewed and uncrewed sensor data in garrison and deployed environments. SGIP supports the tactical and operational needs of SOF units by ensuring that deployable and garrison hardware is modern, reliable, and capable of supporting current and emerging mission requirements. The program funds the procurement and replacement of deployable/tactical PED hardware and garrison infrastructure through the Capital Equipment Replacement Program (CERP), which operates on a 3-5 year replacement cycle.

The Deployable/Tactical SOF Geospatial Intelligence Processing Hardware line addresses the need for mobile, rapidly deployable PED systems that can be used in field operations. The goal is to ensure that SOF units have immediate access to advanced geospatial intelligence tools, supporting time-sensitive targeting and situational awareness. The budget reflects a reduction in procurement for this line, attributed to decreased requirements for new and replacement equipment as previous investments have modernized much of the deployed hardware.

The Garrison SGIP Infrastructure Hardware Capital Equipment Replacement Program (CERP) is responsible for maintaining and upgrading the fixed infrastructure that supports PED activities at home stations and command centers. The program's objective is to ensure that garrison facilities remain equipped with current-generation hardware, minimizing downtime and supporting continuous operations. The request for this line item is lower than previous years, reflecting a planned reduction in replacement activity as a result of recent modernization efforts.

The DCGS-SOF Advanced Analytics subprogram is aimed at enhancing the analytical capabilities of SOF intelligence professionals by providing advanced data processing and exploitation tools. This line item supports the development and deployment of software and analytic platforms that improve the speed and accuracy of intelligence assessments. The transition of ENT/ASIF to a software-centric acquisition model has resulted in a decrease in hardware procurement for this subprogram.

The DCGS-SOF line item is justified by the need to maintain a robust, interoperable, and technologically advanced intelligence infrastructure for SOF operations. The program's objectives are aligned with USSOCOM's requirements for rapid, secure, and reliable intelligence support across the full spectrum of operations. The budget reflects a strategic shift toward software solutions and a reduced need for hardware procurement, as recent investments have modernized much of the existing infrastructure. This approach ensures that SOF units remain equipped to meet evolving threats and operational demands in both deployed and garrison environments.