Global Awareness Presentation System (GAPS)
White Paper
Advanced Global User Defined Operational Picture (UDOP)
Technology for Net-Centric Operations & Collaboration
GAPS provides USSTRATCOM analysts and other decision makers the capability to generate Machine-to-Machine (M2M) visualization products from disparate and dispersed data services (Figure 1). GAPS is used to provide full-dimensional (Latitude, Longitude, Altitude, and Time) geospatial event products and to support decision making, resource allocation modeling and simulation as well as general Situational Awareness (SA).
Figure 1. Collaboration on Time Critical Events
Figure 2. Global Data via Web Services
- GAPS is a multi-year effort focused on developing and delivering the framework to support Net-Centric Collaboration – in particular how to "request and prepare" multiple data types (order of battle data, weather data, sensor performance data, maps, imagery, terrain, vectors, flight routes, overhead orbits, etc.,) to support the warfighter. With ESC acting as the contract facilitator and USSTRATCOM the ultimate end user, GAPS consolidates and standardizes multi-spatial data sources, leverages the DoD framework for CJMTK, and provides a time sensitive fused visualization capability through web-enabled data sources.
- GAPS uses off-the-shelf technology that is interoperable with ongoing Department of Defense (DoD) wide C4ISR infrastructure efforts – such as CJMTK, eGLOBE, DGINet, FSR and SKIWeb. Products produced include jpegs (pictures), Windows Media Player (movies), AGI/STK supported vdf (visual data file) simulations, Google Earth (kml) overlays, and CJMTK thin client visualization.
- GAPS existing data source connectivity include:
- Geo-events - SKIWeb (Strategic Knowledge Integration Web)
- C2 Asset locations - FSR (Force Status Readiness)
- ISR Asset Location - JFCC-ISR (Joint Functional Component Cd - ISR)
- Weather – AFWA JMBL (Air Force Weather Agency / Joint METOC Broker Language)
- Satellites - SISP (Single Integrated Space Picture)
- Tracks – ASAP/IBS (Actionable Situational Awareness Pull / Integrated Broadcast Service)
- Tracks – Link-16 TADIL-J (Tactical Air Data Link – Joint)
- Army Air/Ground Picture - JBFSA (Joint Blue Force SA)
- GIG Architecture (GADSS – Global Interface Grid Architecture Data Support Service)
- SIGINT – MIDB (Modernized Integrated Data Base)
- Impact correlation - SMADS (Strategic Mission Assurance Data Service)
- WIDOW (Web Based IR Data for Operators and Warfighters)
- NGA Imagery Access - WARP (Web Based Access and Retrieval Portal)
- COIC (Counter IED Operational Integration Center)
- DIB (Distributed Common Ground Station Integrated Backbone)
- MDA (Maritime Domain Awareness)
- eGEOINT (NGA's web based mapping services)
GAPS products can be produced viewed or manipulated by any of the over 27,000+ registered SKIWeb users currently on SIPRNET. GAPS hosts visually fused Global Shared Situational Awareness services supporting agile Net-Centric Operations on NIPRNET, SIPRNET and JWICS. GAPS provides users with a decision-focused view of operational environments that organizes disparate C2ISR data sources for situational awareness (SA) and enables collaboration for timely decision-making in a distributed environment.
The GAPS Architectural Framework (Figure 2) includes Services and Applications that provide a UDOP Application Layer, UDOP Services Layer, and Information Layer. The UDOP Application Layer supports thin or thick client configurations and leverages multiple commercial visualization technologies:
- AGI Satellite Tool Kit (STK)
- ESRI ArcGIS and Commercial Joint Mapping Toolkit (CJMTK)
- Google Earth
Figure 3. GAPS System Architecture
The UDOP Services Layer employs DoDAF, NESI, and TIA guidance to implement the GAPS SOA solution. UDOP settings allow the collaborative creation of a tailored and sharable view across multiple communities of interests. This sharable view includes UDOP Services analysis, filtering, sharing, and symbolization of diverse C2ISR information services. GAPS is ready to support forward-looking C2ISR systems with operational SOAP/WSDL-based UDOP Web Services available on multiple networks. The GAPS architecture can also rapidly incorporate and adapt new data services and analytic capabilities due to its open and modular design
GAPS was highlighted in the collaborative DISA, JFCOM, and STRATCOM C2 Data Pilot (Phase 3) and was selected by USAF’s Global Cyberspace Integration Center (GCIC) to provide demonstrations of Global Air Picture requirements for the STRATCOM AOC. Additionally, GAPS has successfully participated in Empire Challenge 2008 and Persistent Fire 2008 exercises. GAPS is expected to participate in Empire Challenge 2009 and CWID 2009.
POC at USSTRATCOM for the GAPS Program is Mr. Ken McDaniel, DSN: 271-8130;
COMM: 402-294-8130.