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GLOBAL COMMAND & CONTROL SYSTEM - JOINT

The Global Command and Control System – Joint (GCCS-J) enhances information superiority and supports the operational concepts of full-dimensional protection and precision engagement. It fuses select C2 capabilities into a comprehensive, interoperable system by exchanging imagery, intelligence, status of forces, and planning information. GCCS-J provides a robust and seamless C2 capability to the CINC, SECDEF, NMCC, CDRs, JFCs, and Service Component Commanders. GCCS-J offers vital connectivity to the systems the joint warfighter uses to plan, execute, and manage military operations. 

GCCS-J is a Command, Control, Communications, Computer, and Intelligence (C4I) system, consisting of hardware, software, procedures, standards, and interfaces to provide worldwide connectivity. The system uses the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) and must work over tactical communication systems to ensure connectivity with deployed forces in the tactical environment.  GCCS-J employs an open system client/server architecture that allows a diverse group of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) and government-off-the-shelf (GOTS) software packages to operate at any GCCS-J location.

An important aspect of the GCCS-J run-time environment is the GCCS-J Strategic Servers fielded under the Joint Staff Strategic Server Policy, dated 6 December 2001. GCCS-J Strategic Servers are enterprise mission capabilities fielded for the benefit of the entire community, but under the control of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). Strategic Server capabilities are fielded as separate technical baselines; however, they are synchronized and managed with other GCCS-J Strategic Server baselines and the GCCS-J Global Release baselines as a single virtual system. GCCS-J Strategic Servers are subject to the same rigorous development and testing standards as the GCCS-J Global Release baseline and go through the same accreditation and global release process.  GCCS-J Strategic Servers enable timelier fielding of enhanced capabilities to the user community.  Current GCCS-J Strategic Servers include Global Combat Support System (Combatant Command/Joint Task Force)(GCSS (CC/JTF)), Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES), and Status of Resources and Training System (SORTS).

The GCCS-J core infrastructure includes the Integrated C4I System Framework (ICSF) that provides data communications, fusion, and display needs, enabling a full Personal Computer (PC) client. The infrastructure provides Directory Services, Enterprise Management, Web Services, Collaboration Services, and Security Services to include anti-viral and encryption software. The architecture is constructed so that GCCS-J interfaces easily with external systems to provide data flow to and from GCCS-J and the external systems providing access to information from the Services, Agencies, and other national assets.

GCCS-J is primarily an integration program and the GCCS-J Program Management Office (PMO) develops limited mission capabilities in house. It is those mission applications/capabilities, integrated together with the core infrastructure, that support the GCCS-J mission areas: Force Deployment/Redeployment, Force Employment, Force Planning, Force Protection, Force Readiness, Force Sustainment, Cross-Functional/Infrastructure, Intelligence, and Situational Awareness.

With an eye to the future, the DISA program management and engineering teams are actively engaged with their NCES and NECC counterparts. GCCS-J Block V has adopted an n-tier, J2EE-based architecture for its applications, thus providing the foundation for smoothly adopting an NCES-based service-oriented architecture. In addition, for GCCS-J 4.2, GCCS-J is developing net-centric infrastructure elements such as dynamic discovery, web service security, and operational context based data provisioning, based on emerging NCES and NECC standards. As its end-user applications adopt these standards, GCCS-J will move steadily throughout Block V toward becoming a service-oriented architecture atop early elements of the future NCES and NECC products.

The three GCCS-J baselines are described below:

Global - The GCCS-J Global Release focuses on migrating the applications that are fielded in combatant command local environments, such as the Common Operational Picture (COP), Integrated Imagery and Intelligence (I3), adaptive courses of action, and others. In addition, the GCCS-J Global Release provides enhanced functional capabilities in such areas as the Theater Ballistic Missile Defense and dynamic and static iCOP (internet COP), as well as increased horizontal integration and access of intelligence capabilities with the Modernized Intelligence Database.

JOPES - The Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES) is an integrated joint command and control system used to support military operation monitoring, planning, and execution activities. JOPES incorporates policies, procedures, personnel, and facilities by interfacing with Automated Data Processing (ADP) systems, reporting systems, and underlying GCCS ADP support to provide senior-level decision makers and their staffs with enhanced capability to plan and conduct joint military operations. JOPES procedures and ADP systems are the mechanisms for submitting movement requirements to USTRANSCOM for Joint operations and exercises.

SORTS - Status of Resources and Training System (SORTS) is an integrated, automated reporting and assessment toolset providing vital readiness information needed to make timely resource allocation and force commitment recommendations to decision makers. SORTS is the single automated reporting system within DoD that provides the NCA and the CJCS with authoritative identification, location, assignment, personnel, and equipment data.