TCchain: Target Custody Cross-domain Blockchain-based Data Sharing Framework

The successful execution of complex military operations requires timely, accurate, trusted and unambiguous communications across a vast chain-of-command spanning multi-national air, ground, sea, space, and cyber forces. Furthermore, cross-domain complexities and security vulnerabilities discourage and limit target custody proficiency, e.g., the inability to exchange trusted targeting information across domains. InfoBeyond advocates TCchain (Target Custody Cross-domain Blockchain-based Data Sharing Framework) for enhancing joint targeting processes and facilitating MAAP/ATO (Master Air Attack Plan, Air tasking Order) development. TCchain provides all participating domains (e.g., classified, unclassified, etc.) with a trusted common operational picture (COP) for target custody and situational awareness (SA) of the joint targeting process. Our TCchain is based on Hyperledger Fabric blockchain and is integrated with role/attribute-based access control (RAAC) that preserves the privacy of targeting information communications. Additionally, a distributed W3C blockchain-enabled self-sovereign identity-based protocol is used for cross-domain authentication without the 3rd party CAs. Moreover, TCchain employs a decentralized domain-based fog-computing architecture for speedy provenance data querying and recording. TCchain allows target custody integrity and immutability while the targeting data are shared between joint force entities across multiple domains. It guarantees integrity of provenance data and ensures the cyber security of targeting information the across the multiple domains.