The National Team's Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) system, the integrating architecture for missile defense, enabled war game participants to plan, coordinate and execute an effective defense against a simulated missile attack in a multi-week war game conducted in late 2003.

"This exercise verified our design approach for the command and control of a global, layered missile defense shield for our troops and citizens," said Dave Kier, Lockheed Martin's vice president and general manager for missile defense.

"The integrated capabilities demonstrated by the C2BMC system show that the architecture we've developed in concert with MDA sponsors can effectively merge many different systems and sensors into a seamless enterprise, that will eventually enable the military to defend against all manner of missile threats with speed, precision and confidence."

The war game featured different scenarios that tested the pre-planning and execution capabilities of the system. In the planning scenario, MDA and defense officials drew up and executed strategic plans, deploying missile defense assets such as Aegis Cruisers, Patriot Advanced Capability - 3 (PAC-3) batteries, and Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) capabilities to threat areas in preparation for a potential attack.

Using the C2BMC system, planners used a global Single Integrated Ballistic Missile Picture (SIBMP) to coordinate across multiple Combatant Commands, reaching out to assets worldwide in order to establish a missile shield capable of defending against attacks from multiple locations.

At each stage of the operation, the C2BMC system analyzed different plans for potential weaknesses, and presented alternative arrangements to defend against the full spectrum of threats.

The execution scenario featured simulated theater, regional and strategic missile attacks that spanned numerous countries and theaters of operation, including the U.S. and its allies.

With dozens of missiles in the air at once, C2BMC effectively collected sensor data to create a fused picture of the attack, enabling decision-makers to quickly carry out a coordinated response. C2BMC enabled U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) officials to deploy Joint forces across numerous theaters in response to the attacks, coordinating missile defense activities on a global level.

Currently in release 4.2, C2BMC is continuing on a spiral development schedule, and is on track to establish Initial Defensive Operations (IDO) in September of 2004. IDO is the first "live" delivery of C2BMC, representing the baseline system of record for national missile defense.

Functional capabilities include collaborative deliberate and crisis planning, advanced situational awareness, and summary displays showing the status of the current engagement plus the overall missile defense system. Following IDO, spiral development will continue as C2BMC expands to cover additional mission areas.

In the future, the C2BMC program plans to demonstrate integrated sensor network technology that improves missile track characterization and accuracy, and advanced decision-aiding technologies that speed cycle times by automating many of the manual tasks that often delay real-time operations. For those computer-assisted, "learned" human-decision steps, C2BMC will automatically move the process forward, allowing the operator to focus on next-step, mission-critical decisions and actions.

The National Team was created by MDA Director, Air Force Lt. Gen. Ronald Kadish in January 2002 to bring together the best engineers and scientists in America. The Lockheed Martin-led team includes Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, and Raytheon plus several specialized teammates that bring expertise in key niche areas.

Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill missile defense system.

It also has considerable experience in missile design and production, infrared seekers, command and control, battle management, and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as radar and signal processing. The company makes significant contributions to all major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.

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