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{{Short description|System in military intelligence for the US}}
{{Infobox product
| title = Distributed Common Ground System
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}}
The '''Distributed Common Ground System''' '''(DCGS)''' is a [[system]] which produces [[military intelligence]] for multiple
== DCGS Programs ==
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* DCGS-MC - DCGS for the [[United States Marine Corps]]
* DCGS-SOF - DCGS for the [[United States Special Operations Forces]]
* IS&A Support Center - DCGS-A Help Desk for the [[United States Army]] - https://dcgsahelp.max.gov/ - '''Max.gov sunset 15 December 2023'''
==Description==
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Although officially designated a "weapons system", it consists of computer hardware and software connected together in a [[computer network]], devoted to processing and dissemination of information such as images.<ref>{{Cite book |title= The Future of Air Force Motion Imagery Exploitation: Lessons from the Commercial World |publisher= Rand Corporation |author= Lance Menthe |author2= Amado Cordova |author3= Carl Rhodes |author4= Rachel Costello |author5= Jeffrey Sullivan |pages= 3–4 |work= Technical Report 1133 |date= February 10, 2012 |isbn= 978-0-8330-5964-2 |url= http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2012/RAND_TR1133.pdf |access-date= September 28, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130309073504/http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2012/RAND_TR1133.pdf |archive-date= March 9, 2013 |url-status= live}}</ref>
The [[480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing]] of the [[Air Combat Command]] operates and maintains the USAF system.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency |work= Fact sheet |publisher= US Air Force |date= August 10, 2007 |url= http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104553/air-force-isr-agency.aspx |access-date= September 28, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131111042025/http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104553/air-force-isr-agency.aspx |archive-date= November 11, 2013 |url-status=
A plan envisioned in 1998 was to develop interoperable systems for the Army and Navy, in addition to the Air Force.<ref name="flaw">{{Cite news |title= Distributed common ground system comes under fire |author= Greg Slabodkin |date= October 1, 2012 |work= Defense Systems Magazine |url= http://defensesystems.com/articles/2012/10/01/defense-it-2-distributed-common-ground-system.aspx |access-date= September 29, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131003035232/http://defensesystems.com/articles/2012/10/01/defense-it-2-distributed-common-ground-system.aspx |archive-date= October 3, 2013 |url-status= live}}</ref>
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After a 2010 report by General [[Michael T. Flynn]], the program was intended to use [[cloud computing]] and be as easy to use as an [[iPad]], which soldiers over a few years were commonly using.<ref name="SIGNAL">{{Cite news |author= George I. Seffers |title= Making Battlefield Intelligence "iPad Easy" |date= July 2012 |url= http://www.afcea.org/content/?q=node/3004 |work= SIGNAL Online |publisher= Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association |access-date= September 28, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130904063906/http://www.afcea.org/content/?q=node%2F3004 |archive-date= September 4, 2013 |url-status= live}}</ref>
By April 2011, project manager Colonel Charles Wells announced version 3 of the Army system (code named "Griffin") was being deployed in the US [[war in Afghanistan (2001–present)|war in Afghanistan]].<ref>{{Cite news |title= Army harnesses full power of intelligence assets |work= Defense Systems |date= April 4, 2011 |author= Barry Rosenberg |url= http://defensesystems.com/Articles/2011/03/29/Project-Manager-View-Army-Distributed-Intelligence.aspx |access-date= September 28, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131003042313/http://defensesystems.com/Articles/2011/03/29/Project-Manager-View-Army-Distributed-Intelligence.aspx |archive-date= October 3, 2013 |url-status= live}}</ref>
In January 2012, the [[United States Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center]] hosted a meeting based on the DCGS-A early experience. It brought together technology providers in the hope of developing more integrated systems using cloud computing with [[open architecture]]s, compared to previously specialized custom-built systems.<ref>{{cite news |author= Kristen Kushiyama |title= Cloud computing to integrate with current Army system |url=
A major contractor was [[Lockheed Martin]], with computers supplied by [[Silicon Graphics International]] out of its [[Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin]] office.<ref>{{Cite news |title= State companies helping Army with cloud computing |author= Rick Barrett |work= [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]] |url= http://www.jsonline.com/business/state-companies-helping-army-with-cloud-computing-7258roe-150105585.html |access-date= September 29, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131005203322/http://www.jsonline.com/business/state-companies-helping-army-with-cloud-computing-7258roe-150105585.html |archive-date= October 5, 2013 |url-status= live}}</ref>
Software known as the Analyst's Notebook, originally developed by [[I2 Group|i2 Limited]], was included in DCGS-A.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Army continues use of i2 software |date= August 17, 2011 |work= UPI |url= http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/08/17/Army-continues-use-of-i2-software/UPI-61181313598534/ |access-date= September 29, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131209132651/http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/08/17/Army-continues-use-of-i2-software/UPI-61181313598534/ |archive-date= December 9, 2013 |url-status= live}}</ref> [[IBM]] acquired i2 in 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |title= IBM acquiring i2 for criminal mastermind software: The company will use i2's Analyst's Notebook and other products in its own criminal data analysis systems |work= Info World |date= August 31, 2011 |author= Joab Jackson |url= http://www.infoworld.com/article/2619805/m-a/ibm-acquiring-i2-for-criminal-mastermind-software.html |access-date= February 1, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180525181638/https://www.infoworld.com/article/2619805/m-a/ibm-acquiring-i2-for-criminal-mastermind-software.html |archive-date= May 25, 2018 |url-status= live}}</ref>
Some US Army personnel reported using a [[Palantir Technologies]] product to improve their ability to predict locations of [[improvised explosive devices]].
An April 2012 report recommending further study after initial success. Palantir software was rated easy to use, but did not have the flexibility and wide number of data sources of DCGS-A.<ref>{{Cite
In July 2012, Congressman [[Duncan D. Hunter]] (from [[California]], the state where Palantir is based) complained of [[United States Department of Defense|US DoD]] obstacles to its wider use.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper= [[The Washington Times]] |title= Military has to fight to purchase lauded IED buster |date= July 16, 2012 |author= Rowan Scarborough |author-link= Rowan Scarborough |url= http://p.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/16/military-has-to-fight-to-purchase-lauded-ied-buste/ |access-date= September 29, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120719162415/http://p.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/16/military-has-to-fight-to-purchase-lauded-ied-buste/ |archive-date= July 19, 2012 |url-status= live}}</ref>
Although a limited test in August 2011 by the [[United States Army Test and Evaluation Command|Test and Evaluation Command]] had recommended deployment, operation problems of DCGS-A included the baseline system was "not operationally effective" with reboots on average about every 8 hours. A set of improvements was identified in November 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Distributed Common Ground System – Army (DCGS-A) |publisher= United States Army Test and Evaluation Command |date= December 27, 2012 |url= http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/fy2012/pdf/army/2012dcgs-a.pdf |access-date= September 29, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140211082334/http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/fy2012/pdf/army/2012dcgs-a.pdf |archive-date= February 11, 2014 |url-status= live}}</ref><ref>[https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/1007951.pdf Director, Operational Test and Evaluation Distributed Common Ground System – Army. (DCGS-A) Increment 1 Release 2. (January 2016) Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) Report ] p.ii "There were no hardware failures during the FOT&E; however, software failures were still a challenge for users. The system required reboots about every 20 hours for users who had heavy workloads such as the fire support analysts and data managers in the BCT Tactical Operations Center (TOC)". p.iii list of recommendations. Tests coordinate with NIE 15.2. p.45: recommendations. Diagrams. Tests were Mar-Jun 2015.</ref>
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In May 2013 ''[[Politico]]'' reported that Palantir lobbyists and some anonymous returning veterans continued to advocate the use of its software, despite its interoperability limits. In particular, members of special forces and US Marines were not required to use the official Army system.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Spy Chief Called Silicon Valley Stooge in Army Software Civil War |author= Noah Shachtman |date= August 1, 2012 |work= Wired Danger Room |url= https://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/08/palantir/ |access-date= September 29, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130925205328/http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/08/palantir/ |archive-date= September 25, 2013 |url-status= live}}</ref>
Similar stories appeared in other publications, with Army representatives (such as Major General [[Mary A. Legere]]) citing the limitations of various systems.<ref>{{Cite
Congressman Hunter was a member of the House Armed Services Committee which required a review of the program, after two other members of congress sent an open letter to Secretary of Defense [[Leon Panetta]].<ref>{{Cite web |title= Open Letter to Leon E. Panetta, Secretary, US Department of Defense |author= Darrell Issa |author-link= Darrell Issa |author2= Jason Chaffetz |author2-link= Jason Chaffetz |name-list-style= amp |date= August 1, 2012 |url= http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2012-08-01-DEI-Chaffetz-to-Panetta-re-ATEC-assess-of-Palantir.pdf |access-date= September 29, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141014143203/http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2012-08-01-DEI-Chaffetz-to-Panetta-re-ATEC-assess-of-Palantir.pdf |archive-date= October 14, 2014 |url-status= live}}</ref> The Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee included testimony from Army Chief of Staff General [[Ray Odierno]].<ref>{{Cite news |title= The Army's multibillion dollar 'money pit' |work= [[Politico]] |date= May 29, 2013 |author= Austin Wright |url=
The equivalent system for the [[United States Navy]] was planned for initial deployment by 2015, and within a shipboard network called Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) by 2016.<ref name="flaw" />
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An August 17, 2011, UPI article quoted i2 Chief Executive Officer Robert Griffin who commented on DCGS-A's best-of-breed approach to development. The article detailed the Army contracting with i2 for Analyst's Notebook software. "With its open architecture, Analyst's Notebook supports the Army's strategy to employ and integrate best-of-breed solutions from across the industry to meet the dynamic needs users face in the field on a daily basis."<ref>{{cite web|last=UPI|title=Army continues use of i2 software|url=http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/08/17/Army-continues-use-of-i2-software/UPI-61181313598534/|publisher=UPI|access-date=25 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121222083722/http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/08/17/Army-continues-use-of-i2-software/UPI-61181313598534/|archive-date=22 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
A February 1, 2012, article in the Army web page quoted Mark Kitz, DCGS-A technical director. DCGS-A "uses the latest in cloud technology to rapidly gather, collaborate and share intelligence data from multiple sources to deliver a common operating picture. DCGS-A is able to rapidly adapt to changing operational environments by leveraging an iterative development model and open architecture allowing for collaboration with multiple government, industry and academic partners."<ref>{{cite web|last=Kushiyama|first=Kristen|title=Cloud computing to integrate with current Army system|url=
A July 2012 article in SIGNAL Magazine, monthly publication of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, promoted DCGS-A as taking advantage of technological environments with which young soldiers are familiar.<ref name="SIGNAL"/> The article quoted the DCGS-A program manager, Col. Charles Wells on the systems benefits. The article also included Lockheed Martin's DCGS-A program manager.<ref name="SIGNAL" />
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The U.S. Army released its [https://web.archive.org/web/20120426072757/https://secureweb2.hqda.pentagon.mil/VDAS_ArmyPostureStatement/2011/information_papers/PostedDocument.asp?id=151 2011 Army Posture Statement] March 2. It included a statement on DCGS-A:
:
=== Comparisons===
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*[[127th Command and Control Squadron]]
*[[161st Intelligence Squadron]]
==See also==
{{Portal|Electronics}}
*[[List of military electronics of the United States]]
==References==
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==External links==
* {{Cite web |title= DCGS-A – Distributed Common Ground System - Army |work= Official web site |url= https://dcgsa.army.mil/ |access-date= 2016-01-12 |archive-date= 2016-02-04 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160204045057/https://dcgsa.army.mil/ |url-status= dead }}
* [http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/dcgs/index.html Raytheon - Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827060708/http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/dcgs/index.html |date=2016-08-27 }}
*[https://dcgsa.army.mil/ Distributed Common Ground System-Army] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204045057/https://dcgsa.army.mil/ |date=2016-02-04 }}
{{USAF weapons}}
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[[Category:Equipment of the United States Air Force]]
[[Category:Military electronics of the United States]]
[[Category:Military
[[Category:Cloud computing]]
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