Command and Control Rapid Prototyping Continuum (C2RPC) Transition: Bridging the Valley of Death

Abstract

Technologies developed under the U.S. Navy's science and technology (S&T) umbrella have historically had only moderate success transitioning to Navy Command and Control (C2) programs of record (PORs). The primary reason for the limited success rate stems from the different missions of the two program sponsors. S&T, consisting primarily of research scientists and technologists, has a mission to foster and encourage research as related to future naval power whereas the C2 Program Office is focused on providing and updating communication and information technology systems for the C2 of the maritime forces. This difference in mission, with the corresponding separate funding sources, complicates communication and coordination between these two communities as each strives to achieve its respective goals and objectives. If S&T funded programs are to solve C2 operational shortfalls, there needs to be close coordination throughout the total acquisition cycle with the Program Office directly involved in the S&T development program. This paper presents the C2RPC development and transition processes, using a rapid incremental development model that aligns with the new information technology (IT) acquisition cycle and bridges the software transition valley of death. It presents early prototype experimentation and demonstration results and provides a projection of remaining activities planned to meet the next generation of maritime C2.