CYBER VS. DRONE
acquisition approach that integrated software and hardware. Working with Tobyhanna Army Depot and ARCYBER, RCCTO launched prototype production in November.
In less than three months, the integrated team sprinted and surged to deliver the new cyber C-UAS capability to the 3/1 CD. Te new system is an interim solution that will continue to evolve as the Army applies direct Soldier feedback to improving design and performance. Te integrated team is incorporating feedback from the unit’s rotation at the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California, which took place Jan. 7-25, as they develop a phase two prototype, to be delivered later this summer.
“Tis effort allowed the 3/1 CD to receive valuable C-UAS train- ing ahead of their upcoming mission set,” said Jack Dillon, RCCTO’s cyber lead. “It also provided critical feedback that we are already feeding into the next version.”
A FAST-MOVING TEAM Receiving a request to produce a never-used-before, cyber-enabled C-UAS on Aug. 22 and delivering it by Nov. 12 is not business as usual. However, ARCYBER, RCCTO and Tobyhanna, work- ing in lockstep, were able to deliver.
“Te RCCTO and Tobyhanna helped out with taking it from an advanced prototype and turning it into an engineering design model,” said 1st Lt. Aneesh Patel, with ARCYBER’s Cyber Solu- tions Development Detachment – Georgia, 782nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 780th Military Intelligence Brigade. “We designed our own hardware and schematics, but what we didn’t have was the proper ability to scale, and I think that’s important in a bridging strategy and for any prototype.”
Te ability to turn a concept into a small package of operational prototypes for use by a unit required a proper yet flexible acqui- sition strategy that would also set the foundation for increased production later. In turning a concept into an operational proto- type, Tobyhanna had to put together a complete drawing package using items from the depot and create the prototype while keep- ing to strict quality standards.
“We must do everything per Army regulations,” said Joe Lynn, a project manager for Tobyhanna Army Depot, located in Penn- sylvania. “So, once everyone came on-site and saw what we do here, and that we’re basically a one-stop shop from concept to combat, it brought a better understanding.”
Te process also required constant communication. Tis came in the form of coordination on the ground during the NTC rotation with the unit’s electronic warfare Soldiers, and during biweekly technical and synchronization meetings involving Toby- hanna, ARCYBER, the Defense Digital Service and RCCTO. Tobyhanna also hosted multiple face-to-face meetings to expedi- tiously solve technical questions and challenges. On the project management end, RCCTO worked in parallel to address typical program, legal and budget reviews. Of particular note, in addi- tion to constructing the prototype from an engineering concept, the RCCTO, ARCYBER and Tobyhanna put in place a train- ing plan for the 3/1 CD.
TRIAL BY CYBER
Capt. Adam Schinder, commander of the Expeditionary Cyber Support Detachment, 782nd Military Intelligence Battalion (Cyber), provides command-and-control for cyberspace operations specialists with the detachment that supported training for the 3/1 CD at NTC in January. (U.S. Army photo by Steven Stover, ARCYBER)
SOLDIER INPUT, ON THE GROUND Tis rapid approach unfolded on the ground at NTC, as Soldier input went directly to engineers on-site so that they could make changes quickly, sometimes within hours.
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Army AL&T Magazine
Summer 2019
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