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APL's Precision Engagement organization will continue to mature existing Detection and Targeting and Engagement Systems programs but will also emphasize growth in Command and Control programs. Command and Control is the function that brings the entire precision engagement process together into a coherent whole. A key initiative at APL is the development of a plan to create a facility to focus on identifying, characterizing, and addressing critical integration issues — initially across the three Precision Engagement programs and the systems they represent but eventually across all warfare areas.
This facility is referred to as the Precision Engagement Transformation Center and is notionally illustrated in the figure. The plan is for the facility to be organized around three "cells" — a Concepts Cell, a Technology Cell, and an Assessment Cell. These cells will be used to conceive, develop, and integrate new concepts; to investigate and mature new technologies; and to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of these concepts and technologies within the context of various warfare scenarios. |
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To be truly effective, all warfare areas should be integrated via a global, network-centric command and control capability. It is also our intent that the Transformation Center will serve to pull together the skills and experiences from many other APL departments and program areas, including other mission areas such as air defense, undersea warfare, and special operations. Thus, the Transformation Center will facilitate relevant APL departments and programs in working together to develop transformational concepts and technologies that will provide critical contributions to the solution of critical national challenges, particularly in the overarching function of command and control. Advancements in the "science of control," which enables the "art of command," will contribute toward the end goal of improving the nation's ability to effectively and efficiently plan and conduct all warfare operations.
We believe the Precision Engagement Transformation Center will be the centerpiece in enabling APL to become an acknowledged leader in developing transformational, end-to-end solutions to tough present and future critical challenges in precision engagement. The Transformation Center will better enable us to achieve our mission of meeting the challenges of enhancing effects-based precision engagements by conceiving and developing innovative and integrated capabilities. We also believe the Transformation Center will serve a critical role in integrating all warfare areas into a coherent military capability. |
Transformation Center