SATCOM-GIG integration roadmap development

The net-centric vision for the global information grid (GIG) includes evolution toward Internet protocol (IP) based services. IP service profiles and in-service traffic flows in support of Warfighters in evolving deployments are highly variable, with end-to-end (E2E) flows typically spanning both terrestrial and satellite communications (SATCOM) networks. Communications planning, management and control in support of dynamic scenarios should be efficient and timely. To ensure management and control efficiency and timeliness in an emerging and evolving GIG, a flexible and evolutionary approach is needed. Access to situational awareness (SA) information on a federation of emerging and legacy transport networks is a way forward, consistent with the Department of Defense (DoD) NetOps vision. This paper reports on the roadmap development for a SATCOM-GIG integration strategy to provide SA and significantly enhance planning, management and control capabilities. The strategy utilizes service-oriented architectures (SOAs) to achieve flexibility and the capability to evolve with standards and technology. The development of the roadmap is described along with a set of recommended steps necessary for implementing the SATCOM-GIG integration vision.