Extensible AAR Acquisition, Retrieval, and Storage System (EAARS)

The Virginia Class Non-Propulsion Electronics Subsystems (NPES) is comprised of twenty-three subsystems integrated by an overarching Architecture Subsystem. The user’s community is experiencing problems maintaining this complex networked system. The application of the Phase I EAARS technology (specifically wideband data collection and digital data management) and COTS network administration products can address these maintenance needs, including training. This training must support the spiral development (e.g., the migration from Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) to Gigabyte Ethernet (GigE), and eventually IT-21 architectures) and the associated manning dynamics. This technology can also be used to support test data collection and analysis and is applicable to in-service submarine and surface C4I systems.During Phase II the requirements for network administrator training and maintenance support for the sonar, combat control and architecture subsystems (S/CC/A) will be established; software for S/CC/A network maintenance will be prototyped; and technology assessment using a emulated NPES LAN will be completed. The option will be used to complete integration testing and certification of prototype software performance for NPES S/CC/A. Prototype efforts will lead to the delivery of production maintenance support software to the operational units and development of a shore based Network Administrator Training and Maintenance Support System (NATMSS).