CTI proposes leveraging and enhancing an existing government off the shelf (GOTS) tool for mapping and situational awareness tools called Raptor in order to meet the US Navys need for a common operational picture (COP) with an application programming interface (API) that is distributed, dynamic, and open. Raptor is an open, government-owned geospatial intelligence system (GIS) that is well-positioned to satisfy this need. It features a robust API and a mature suite of applications capable of running on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and server environments while maintaining a common set of data for visualization and analysis across these different deployments. Raptor can interface directly with physical devices and sensors to ingest data or perform command and control (C2). It can also connect directly to live data streams, such as video feeds, automatic identification system (AIS), Link 16, Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS), and more.While Raptor is already a mature platform that meets many of the requirements laid out in the request for proposal (RFP), there are still several questions to address to ensure it will be a feasible solution for an Aegis-based COP. First, CTI needs to research and understand any complexities associated with running Raptor on the Aegis computing environment and interfacing with existing Aegis software. CTI will also seek to characterize the requirement for compatibility with the C++ programming language and identify a feasible approach, as Raptor is currently developed entirely in Java, including the plugin API. Finally, while Raptor does provide a modular architecture that allows plugins to be installed and removed, this currently requires restarting the application. Initial analysis has already been performed to identify areas of the architecture that need to be modified to support on-the-fly plugin installation/removal. As part of this Phase 1 SBIR program, CTI will refine this analysis into an actionable architectural design.
Benefit: Raptor is already being utilized by several different organizations as part of current and future programs of record (POR). The USSOCOM Program Executive Office for Special Reconnaissance Surveillance and Exploitation (PEO-SRSE) utilizes Raptor for unattended ground sensors (UGS), Blue Force Tracking (BFT), data management, wireless protocol analytics, and indications and warnings. The Joint Navigation Warfare Center (JNWC) relies on Raptor to provide radio frequency (RF) interference geo-visualization. For the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) Joint Electronic Attack and Compatibility Office (JEACO), Raptor is part of a command and control (C2) suite for integrated electromagnetic warfare (EW) planning and live mission support for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF).The technology developed for this program applies to a wide variety of areas and provides ample opportunities for commercialization. These opportunities include mission planning, airport security, natural disaster response, and augmented-reality/virtual-reality. The resulting solutions are applicable to the defense and intelligence communities, law enforcement, border patrol, and other non-military tactical environments.
Keywords: API, API, Open Source, COP, GOTS, globe, GIS, RAPToR, Plugin Architecture
