Enabling Army Aviation’s Future Force Through Agile and Integrated System Modernization

Background

The US Army Aviation Center of Excellence’s (USAACE) Mission Command Arts and Sciences Program (MCASP) initiative at Fort Novosel, Alabama, supports the Army’s Mission Command Training Strategy (MCTS) and Mission Command Training Strategy Implementation Plan (MCTSIP). MCASP supports Mission Command training for Professional Military Education (PME) and Initial Military Training (IMT) classes in various Officer, Warrant Officer, and Noncommissioned Officer Courses, in the interest of fostering a highly skilled professional military body. 

The USAACE required overarching support for their advanced Army Mission Command System (AMCS) simulation and stimulation training systems. These systems were critical exercises for ensuring MCASP students were fully capable of operating effectively in a combat environment. The ASSYST team provided highly multifaceted IT support services to USAACE’s MCASP at Fort Novosel for almost 11 years, supporting the program’s mission to conduct simulation training and practical exercises, develop advanced Mission Command simulation training systems, and create products for IMT and PME. 

Solution

ASSYST deployed a team to support the configuration, integration, design, delivery, execution, and maintenance of Army Mission Command System (AMCS) simulation training for IMT and PME. We expertly managed and delivered network support, maintenance, and upgrades for digital Tactical Operations Centers (TOC) Mission Command systems, servers, components, and other simulation and stimulation assets as required to ensure operational AMCS training network support.  

Additionally, ASSYST provided comprehensive support for AMCS components tied to the MCASP instruction. We managed the integration, configuration, cybersecurity, and maintenance of various AMCS simulation and stimulation hardware and software platforms. We supported the virtualization of synthetic battlefield environments at designated USAACE Enterprise Classroom Programs (ECPs). Updates to training curriculum, lesson plans, and Programs of Instruction were also regularly reviewed, updated, and certified as needed.

Additional Support

Hands-On Mentoring: In addition to providing support through software and system engineering, ASSYST delivered direct ECP instruction and over-the-shoulder mentor training support to personnel for operations, user maintenance, and training network configuration, which included, but was not limited to, various systems. ASSYST’s MCASP instructors provided the expertise needed to guide students to success.

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance: Upon ASSYST’s contract award of the MCASP program, the Tactical Training Network (TTN) was an unaccredited standalone network. Government regulations required that the TTN undergo formal accreditation. During the 11 years we held the contract, we transformed the TTN from being unaccredited to achieving one DOD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP) accreditation and two DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF) accreditations. ASSYST implemented Host-Based SQL Server (HBSS) and applied the necessary Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) associated with it to achieve compliance. After DIACAP was formally discontinued in May 2015 and replaced by the DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF), we transitioned seamlessly to RMF, maintaining full compliance throughout the TTN with updated assessments, documentation, and control implementation.

Our team also designed and implemented the necessary documentation and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to obtain and maintain the network's Authority to Operate (ATO). ASSYST’s team performed testing, system audits, and remediation efforts to ensure that we met Army Portfolio Management System (APMS) and Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Services (eMASS) requirements.

Value/Impact

Through a combination of system enhancement and hands-on training support, we empowered MCASP to achieve its desired outcomes more efficiently. ASSYST’s services were crucial to ensuring MCASP students understood how the AMCS supported Army Aviation in decision-making, especially in combat environments, utilizing the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP) and the Rapid Decision-Making Process (RDMP).