Digital planning tools for enhanced operational naval planning

Naval messaging is a core component of Command and Control (C2) that allows commanders and the wider naval infrastructure to stay in communication. In this proposal, we tackle the complexities faced by naval commanders and their staffs, in processing and utilizing vast amounts of data, particularly regarding loosely formatted naval General Administrative (GENADMIN) messages. The current process of collecting, formatting, and disseminating these messages is inefficient, time-consuming, repetitive, manual work which leads to potential delays and ineffective C2 decision-making within the skin of the ship. Further, these messages are challenging for software to parse due to their varied formats and content leading to delays at the Fleet level. Given that these messages contain critical operational information, any delay can have downstream impact on mission success. To address these challenges, Pacific Science & Engineering Group, Inc. (PSE) proposes to research, design, and develop Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) compatible with existing systems such as the Maritime Tactical Command and Control (MTC2) operational planning tool that will enable the digital gathering of data from different departments within the ship (e.g., Logistics, Personnel, Operations, etc.) to be leveraged for various GENADMIN reports and other uses within the ship and off-hull. This will enable users within the ship to, in parallel, provide data inputs that can then be used for shared situation awareness within the skin of the ship, for mandatory reporting, and briefing, and will allow data collection to be efficient and easily parsed by enforcing standards in message formatting. To do this, PSE will use our evidence-based, user-centered design (UCD) process to map capabilities both, to naval end user task needs of the application domain and to their cognitive, and perceptual requirements. This process ensures that tools are both relevant and useful to domain users, and effective for improving their task performance. PSE will achieve this by employing technical staff that are both published and versed in basic and applied research on human attention, cognition, and perception, who also function as scientist practitioners to engage in and support complex systems engineering efforts that develop effective tools for Fleet end users. The goal of the base period is to develop a golden path concept prototype (of Technical Readiness Level, TRL4) to demonstrate the value added to naval operations, benefiting stakeholders at various levels of the chain of command. In the option years, the prototype capabilities will be expanded and matured to TRL5 to ensure compatibility with the test environment. Warfighters responsible for generating daily reports will produce more comprehensive products efficiently, while decision-makers will have access to a more complete status picture. Enhanced dissemination methods will ensure that improvements extend beyond individual ships to higher echelons.