DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS
TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL
(U//FOUO) Airborne SIGINT Engineering Integrated Product Team Part II
FROM:
National Tactical Integration Office
Run Date: 10/08/2003
(U) Note from SIGINT Communications: This is the conclusion of a two-part article.
(U//FOUO) The ASEIPT has also worked with industry leaders in examining Open System
Architecture approaches, which emphasize cross-platform re-usability and interoperability while
minimizing non-recurring engineering costs. The unanimous message/theme from industry was
the need for a common standardized application interface/middleware to facilitate horizontal
integration and interoperability of core SIGINT functions as well as facilitate advanced technology
insertion into all platforms.
(U//FOUO) As a first step in defining and developing this common interface, the ASEIPT
members agreed to work with the MIDAS (Multi-User Interactive Development and Analysis
Software - a portable, networked, interactive environment for software signal processing and
analysis) community to integrate MIDAS applications into their systems. Today, MIDAS
applications are used sporadically across airborne platforms but are not truly "integrated" into
the core SIGINT system(s) (usually they are a QRC/laptop type installation onto the platforms).
The ASEIPT is currently formalizing a working relationship with the National Reconnaissance
Office's (NRO) MIDAS PMO to jointly develop and demonstrate this common application
interface/middleware. The Air Force's Rivet Joint (RC-135) SIGINT aircraft has been designated
to be the test platform for this effort in FY-04 and the other airborne SIGINT platforms will be
involved during the interface definition and development phase.
(U//FOUO) The lessons learned from the Rivet Joint's integration effort will assist in extending
this common application interface/middleware to the other platforms. This migration is expected
to reduce the costs of integrating future capabilities and reduce development costs by leveraging
off the extensive MIDAS SIGINT functionality (non-proprietary, GOTS applications) and structure
already in existence. It is anticipated that the technical interface definitions/descriptions for the
application interface will be documented in the community's Joint Airborne SIGINT Architecture
(JASA), developed and coordinated for the airborne SIGINT community by NSA's National
Tactical Integration Office (NTIO).
(U//FOUO) The ASEIPT also sponsors an airborne SIGINT Technology Conference every year.
The purpose of this conference is for the various services/programs to showcase their new
capabilities to be available to other airborne platforms within 18 months. The next conference
will be held 8-12 December 2003 in Greenville, TX. The point of contact for the conference is
, S141,
.
(U//FOUO) The ASEIPT is striving towards and enabling true collaboration across the tactical
airborne SIGINT community with the emphasis on re-usability and interoperability. Together, we
can achieve a joint tactical airborne SIGINT environment with the engineering solutions to
satisfy today's and tomorrows most pressing requirements.
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid comms)."
DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS
TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL
DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108