Long-Haul Communications - DCS

The Long-Haul Communications - DCS program, managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), is a Department of Defense (DoD) initiative focused on research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) to enhance the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN). The DISN is the DoD's global telecommunications backbone, providing secure, robust, and interoperable communications for warfighters, Combatant Commanders, and national leadership. The primary objective of this program is to ensure that the DISN remains technologically advanced, resilient, and capable of supporting both current and future operational requirements across terrestrial, space, strategic, and tactical domains.

DISN Networking - Technology Refresh (TR) is a critical component of the program, aimed at maintaining and advancing the technical superiority and mission readiness of the DISN. The specific goals include the integration of next-generation networking technologies, leveraging software-based control for rapid network automation, and developing a programmable global network backbone capable of high-speed data transfer. This line of effort supports the development and deployment of prototype capabilities, technology experimentation in novel transport mediums, and the enhancement of classified countermeasure capabilities. The focus is on creating assured, dynamic global communications networks that can operate under various adversarial threat and risk conditions, ensuring continuous support for DoD and federal customers.

Defense Red Switch Network (DRSN) Peripheral and Component Re-Design and Multi-Level Secure Voice and Video (MLSV2) addresses the unique military requirements for secure voice and video conferencing at the highest classification levels. The DRSN provides secure communication for the President, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Combatant Commands, supporting Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3). The program funds the redesign of DRSN peripherals and components to maintain interoperability and meet NSA-certified encryption standards, which are not available commercially.

A significant objective is the development, testing, and fielding of the MLSV2 prototype, which will enable secure conferencing across three classification levels within a single system, using standardized protocols and interfaces. Achieving Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for MLSV2 in FY 2026 is a major milestone, with integration into operational environments and the establishment of security operations functions.

DoD Mobility is another major focus area, supporting the research, development, and deployment of secure mobile technologies for both unclassified and classified environments. The program's objectives include the migration from legacy DoD Mobility Unclassified Capability (DMUC) to a cloud-based Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution, which will streamline mobile device management and enhance security across all endpoints.

Additional goals involve expanding virtual/zero desktop infrastructure, implementing derived credential capabilities for automated provisioning and maintenance, and enhancing the Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) architecture to meet evolving NSA security standards. These efforts are designed to provide warfighters with secure, on-demand access to information and applications, improving operational flexibility and efficiency.

The acquisition strategy for these efforts leverages Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) entities, and interagency agreements with organizations such as MITRE and Raytheon. This approach enables DISA to access cutting-edge technical expertise and rapidly field prototype and next-generation capabilities.

The program also includes significant investment in operational and network management systems to automate administration, maintenance, and provisioning functions, providing a unified view for network managers and operators.

Testing and evaluation are integral to the program, with dedicated funding for certification testing, operational testing, and integration of new technologies into the DISN environment. These activities ensure that new capabilities meet stringent security and performance requirements before deployment.

The schedule for the program includes ongoing technology refresh activities, prototype development and integration for MLSV2, and continuous improvements to mobility solutions through at least FY 2030.