Phase II Amount
$1,424,741
We propose to implement a "Plug-and-Play" control and management (C&M) system for the Virginia Class (NSSN) submarine's Exterior Communications System (ECS). As outlined in our Phase I research, the COTS-based design allows new devices and control services to be "plugged" into a network, without recompiling or rebuilding core software, user interfaces, databases, or control software. New devices and services will automatically connect to a running system, exchange interface information and control proxies, and make themselves available for use. A graphical user interface (GUI) can automatically reconfigure to provide the monitoring and control graphics needed to operate the new or replaced equipment. Our architecture exploits state-of-the-art COTS Java technologies, such as Jini, JavaBeans, Swing, and JavaSpaces. The system is platform independent, transportable, and interoperable across hardware and operating systems. Jackpine Technologies has teamed with Lockheed Martin, the ECS prime contractor, to implement the Plug-and-Play C&M system. We propose to implement the C&M core, GUIs, databases, and brokering services, along with a set of device interface software needed by the ECS.
Benefits: Our system will reduce the ECS lifecycle costs associated with replacing equipment, integrating new control software, configuration management, and migration to other platforms. It will also provide a flexible framework for future radio room automation and remote control initiatives. Our software will be immediately applicable to the NSSN ECS "Goal" system, and will help make ECS portable to the 688, Ohio, and Seawolf submarines. Our technology can be later applied to other DoD and commercial environments.
Keywords: Virginia Class Submarine, NSSN, Software, Portability, Software Reuse, Java, Jini