KEEP IN TOUCH
feedback into the development of the Tactical Ground Intelli- gence Station (TGS) Lot G—a vehicle-mounted system that is part of the Distributed Common Ground System-Army (DCGS- A). It is used for posting, processing and distributing real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information to intelligence analysts and commanders.
Te TGS Lot G is a modernization effort of the currently fielded TGS Fleet. Te TGS Lot G is leveraging a prototype testbed to test and demonstrate the operational utility of theater command and control with tactical low-Earth orbit and high-altitude long endurance assets with sensor data downlink and dissemination to the warfighter. Additionally, this effort promises to provide endur- ing capabilities and bridge the modernization gap by addressing sustainability of aging hardware, security, accreditation, main- tenance and enhancement of current and future TGS mission requirements; focusing on the system’s key infrastructure for data processing, storage and networking hardware; and reshap- ing the limits of current technology by replacing legacy sensor and communication components with innovative solutions.
Tese updates are intended to enhance hardware, software applications, tools and communications to address obsolescence within legacy systems and bridge the gap to the Tactical Intel- ligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN), which is planned to subsume the TGS fleet. In particular, the TGS Lot G will serve as a risk reduction effort for the TITAN Basic variant that will be fielded at the brigade combat team and division echelons. Partnering with industry, PM IS&A has integrated cutting-edge radios, antennas, computers and satellite downlinks in an effi- cient Humvee-based platform.
There are currently 101 TGS systems fielded across the Army, with 39 of those systems maintained and operated by Army National Guard.
A number of usability issues with the TGS have been captured during STPs. Notable to Army National Guard units is the inclusion of controlled cryptographic items (CCI) and commu- nications security keys. Most National Guard unit home stations have little to no standoff distance, requiring the removal of all CCI between system usage for storage. Tis makes it logistically difficult for units to properly use and train on their systems.
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES CW2 Ryan Kriesch, a military intelligence systems technician with the Minnesota Army National Guard, participated in a recent TITAN STP. Much of the qualitative feedback shaping
44 Army AL&T Magazine Fall 2024
TITAN is directly related to lessons learned from the TGS fleet. Kriesch shared his insights into the unique challenges impacting mission readiness that all National Guard units face with their legacy TGS systems. “Training is a tremendous obstacle in being able to effectively use complex military intelligence systems as most [National Guard] Soldiers will only be afforded 20 days or less of true training hours per year,” he explained. “Tese time constraints are often exacerbated by not having a functioning system for Soldiers to employ their tradecraft.”
For units that can get their TGS operationally functional, there are still obstacles to overcome to ensure Soldiers can achieve profi- ciency on their fielded systems. “With training hours dedicated to set up, emplacing antennas, and tear down, it leaves little if any time to connect into the wider division or brigade architec- ture,” Kriesch said.
Although the current TGS documentation covers internal server and architecture configuration, there are documenta- tion gaps when integrating the DCGS-A software baseline with other programs of record within the TGS, including the Global Broadcasting System, One System Remote Video Terminal and Embedded National Technical Receiver.
Col. Chris Anderson, PM IS&A, understands the importance of fielding usable systems to all Army components. He chal- lenged his team to design the ultimate Humvee-based intelligence ground station that leverages the latest in antenna, data link, radio and compute technology in driving the TGS Lot G design. Not only did his team design it, but they also built a prototype that the 629th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion (E-MIBn) debuted at the request of Col. Michael A. Bryant, 58th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade commander for the Maryland Army National Guard, and successfully showcased to Army senior leaders during the Fulcrum Strike 24 exercise distin- guished visitor day. Anderson noted that, “TGS Lot G is a prime example of passionate and dedicated acquisition professionals and our military intelligence Soldiers pushing the art of the possible.”
Lt. Col. Joseph Pieper, commander of the 629th E-MIBn, emphasized the importance of adaptability and technical profi- ciency within the Military Intelligence Branch. “Te battalion’s collaboration with PM IS&A reflects this vision, as they work together to develop systems that provide revolutionary solutions for commanders’ situational understanding in complex environ- ments,” Pieper said.
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