Service Support to STRATCOM - Global Strike

The Service Support to STRATCOM Global Strike program, under Program Element (PE) 0101318F, is a critical Air Force initiative focused on supporting U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) in its mission to deter strategic attacks and provide credible global combat capability. The program's primary objective is to enhance operational systems development through research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities. This line item specifically funds efforts that improve strategic deterrence, nuclear operations, nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3), joint electromagnetic spectrum operations, global strike, analysis and targeting, and missile threat assessment. The program is designed to ensure timely and accurate information flows to national leadership and combatant commanders, thereby supporting rapid and effective decision-making in critical national security scenarios.

A central component of this program is Project 675368: Global Data Integration (GDI). GDI's primary goal is to unify and integrate disparate data sources including Missile Warning/Missile Defense (MW/MD), Technical Intelligence (TI), and other sensor data into a single, exposed data set. This integration provides redundant and unambiguous situational awareness data to senior leaders, supporting nuclear C2 and improving overall decision-making. GDI enables existing radars and sensors to provide data in net-centric formats, which can be consumed by other authorized systems and mission areas. This reduces the need for new acquisitions and maximizes the utility of current assets.

The Radar, Sensor, Technical Intelligence (TI), and Allied Systems budget line focuses on the design, development, exposure, and integration of data from radar, sensors, and technical intelligence systems, particularly in regions with limited or denied coverage. The objective is to provide real-time data from systems that previously reported hours or days after critical events, thereby enhancing responsiveness. Efforts include ongoing net-centric exposure and integration of numerous foreign sensor systems, with a particular emphasis on the Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) and European Command (EUCOM) areas of responsibility. This work is iterative and adapts to emerging warfighter priorities.

Global Data Integration [GDI] Development is a major thrust within the program, focusing on developing common Extensible Markup Language (XML) schemas and configuration management processes for various data types, including missile warning, missile defense, space, MASINT/Technical Intelligence, and sensor data. The development of these schemas and associated messaging services is intended to support data management, visualization, and integration into appropriate registries and catalogs. The program also emphasizes technical outreach to potential new GDI data consumers and providers, ensuring that the capabilities are widely adopted and integrated across relevant agencies.

Several sub-projects support GDI's objectives, including DATABAHN, which fields and accredits redundant dedicated cross-domain solutions (CDS), and FEAST, which integrates additional TS/SCI data sources and algorithms. ACE-M is tasked with developing and integrating Data-as-a-Service and Analytics-as-a-Service capabilities, expanding support for units operating in Denied-Disconnected, Intermittent, Limited (D-DIL), and emissions controlled (EMCON) environments. DI R&D focuses on proof-of-concept development for multi-sensor exposure and integration. These efforts collectively aim to enhance the ingestion and fusion of traditional, non-traditional, and commercial sensor data, supporting both strategic and tactical decision-making.

The program also addresses specific operational needs, such as NORTHCOM/STRATCOM's Joint Emergent Operational Need (JEON) ST-0010, which requires uninterrupted integration of traditional and non-traditional sensor data. GDI supports the Global Threat Characterization Assessment (GTCA) Operational Planning Team report by providing robust data analysis functions to optimize situational awareness, particularly for units operating in challenging environments. The acquisition strategy leverages existing government contract vehicles when possible, and new contracts are awarded as needed to ensure responsive and consistent delivery of GDI capabilities.

The Service Support to STRATCOM Global Strike program is structured to deliver timely, integrated, and actionable data to national leadership and warfighters. By repurposing and integrating traditionally stove-piped systems and sensors, the program expands the decision space and improves cross-cueing capabilities. The focus on operational systems development ensures that fielded systems are continually upgraded to meet evolving threats and mission requirements, supporting USSTRATCOM's role in strategic deterrence and global strike operations.