(U) Talon WARRIOR (Direct Space Integration-DSI)

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U) Talon WARRIOR is one of eight functional areas under the Air Force TENCAP Program.  Talon WARRIOR focuses on providing the warfighter awareness of TENCAP capabilities.  Talon WARRIOR activities fall under the broad areas of direct space integration (DSI) and exercise and wargame participation.

Description: (U)
(U) DSI involves acquiring, configuring, installing, and maintaining systems that provide integrated DoD Space-TENCAP training as well as exercise support. AF TENCAP supports integration and limited operations and maintenance support until the MAJCOM can assume funding responsibility.  Specific activities include:

(U) Space Information Distributed Architecture (SPIDAR) is designed to provide the warfighter space information by leveraging web technology, eliminating stove-piped systems, reducing annual O&M and utilizing a single user interface for information access.  With the hub residing at the SWC, SPIDAR will eliminate the need for installing expensive duplicate systems at other locations.  Providing a web of inter-connectivity, SPIDAR will allow the separate inexpensive terminals to reach back to the SWC for full functionality at reduced cost.  SPIDAR also reduces travel costs by allowing distributed wargaming and exercise play.

(U) The SPIDAR project was initiated in Mar 98.  The project includes an effort to ensure applications migrated under SPIDAR, or other space tool development efforts, conform to a common architecture with maximum reuse of software components.  Efforts for an Aug 98 demonstration are focused on a Space Environment tool and the on-line Space Information Network.  HQ SWC/DOS is aggressively pursuing the integration of the operational space applications developed via SPIDAR into TBMCS and AFSPC's Space Battle Manager (SBM).  In addition, SPIDAR will provide an area for R&D, allowing future TENCAP projects the ability to demonstrate capabilities from the SWC. Finally, efforts are progressing to incorporate SPIDAR and SBM for a JWID 99 demonstration.

(U) The SWC War Room, formerly the Space Applications Integration Facility (SPAIF), is an AF TENCAP C4I facility supporting the development, testing, evaluation and deployment of AF TENCAP prototype systems.  It also supports HQ SWC/AE, AF TENCAP customers (e.g., PACAF's Cope Thunder facility) and non-TENCAP customers such as 76 SOPS and JNTF wargaming.  

(U) The Aerospace Integration Center (AIC), formerly the Space Training Facility (STF) is an integrated equipment and communications architecture housed in the Red Flag building at Nellis AFB NV.  It is designed to improve USAF warfighters' capability to rapidly receive, integrate, display and exploit real-time battlespace information.  The AIC is focused on establishing, maintaining and evolving operator-oriented sensor-to-shooter capabilities that can be integrated into current USAF/Joint operations worldwide.  More specifically, the AIC provides AOC support; imagery (EO, IR, Radar); situation awareness tools and information; battlespace management tools and information; and order of battle information via TRAP, TDDS, TOP, TIBS, etc.

(U) The Cope Thunder space training facility, known within PACAF as Cope Thunder Project Lightning (CTPL), includes a facility at Eielson AFB for training, demonstration, testing, and exercising space applications during Cope Thunder exercises.  Additionally, the Cope Thunder facilities host other joint and service exercises.  PACAF also foresees Cope Thunder as an opportunity to exercise its own space operators' integration from the AOC to the deployed wing, working closely with personnel from the 76 SOPS and the SWC.

(U) Initial efforts of CTPL were to bring improved national systems participation and support to the exercise.  CTPL now provides imagery to Cope Thunder and the joint exercise Northern Edge.  Again using national systems, CTPL brings to the exercise SIGINT support and order of battle information via TDDS, TOPS and OBP.  With SWC/AE assistance, CTPL has incorporated the Satellite and Missile Analysis Tool (SMAT) into the exercise providing satellite visibility predictions.  In the summer of 1998, AFOTEC plans to conduct testing at Cope Thunder on the new aircrew survival radio, the Combat Survivor/Evader, Locator (CSEL).  Expanded Personnel Recovery exercises are planned for Cope Thunder 98-4 in Jul and Northern Edge 99/Cope Thunder 99-1 in Feb/Mar 99.  

(U) Air Mobility Warfare Center (AMWC) provides a state-of-the art space training and education facility that prepares mobility experts with the necessary skills to operate in the global environment.  AMWC trains operational and support personnel with hands-on access to space support tools and to develop future tactics employing the full array of space applications.  

(U) The AMWC plan calls for acquiring space training tools, establishing connectivity with other space training facilities (AIC, ASTROE, etc.), and educating key mobility instructors on space systems.  Using the tools and existing space courseware from other training facilities, the AMWC will increase the level of space training taught in mobility courses from a basic introductory to a detailed applications level.  Space systems training will be added to or enhanced in the following AMWC courses: AMC Intelligence Operations Orientation Course; Combat Aircrew Tactics Training; Senior Officer's Tactics Course; Air Mobility Operations Course; and Director of Mobility Forces Course.  AMWC will establish AIC connectivity via the SPIDAR program.  

(U) Project ASTROE (AFSOC Space Training, Operations and Education) provides a means to educate, train, and exercise special operations forces in the application and exploitation of space capabilities.  This project provides hardware, software, procedures, communications networks and facilities at Hurlburt Field FL to conduct this training.  

(U) Talon WARRIOR provides a method of integrating AF TENCAP projects and prototypes into exercises, wargames and real-world contingencies.  Exercises are a logical extension of training activities in many areas, with the added dimension of execution in a real-world operations environment.  Wargames offer the opportunity to explore futuristic space capabilities and doctrinal issues. 

(U) Exercises supported by AF TENCAP include: Air and Space Power Demonstration 97; Global Engagement 97; BLUE FLAG; NORTHERN EDGE; COPE THUNDER; the Joint Land, Aerospace and Sea Simulation; Unified Endeavor; JOINT READINESS EXERCISE 98-1&2; RED FLAG; Extended Range Operations 98; GREEN FLAG; Global Guardian; Tandem Challenge and the Future Capabilities Wargame.

User Impact: (U)
(U) See Description.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Operational.

(U) Organizations and Funding:
	(U) Air Force-Space Warfare Center: Funding Source.
		HQ SWC/CT provides AF TENCAP funds from PE 27247F to HQ SWC/DOS to execute Talon WARRIOR DSI efforts.  HQ SWC/CT also provides funds to HQ SWC/DOX to integrate AF TENCAP projects and prototypes into ongoing HQ SWC/DO and HQ AFSPC funded exercise and wargame participation.

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) Talon  VISION, Talon COMMAND, Talon KNIGHT, Talon OUTLOOK, Talon READY, Talon SHOOTER, Talon TRANSITION

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Air Force TENCAP

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) ISR.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
22 July 1998

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)