Lessons Learned from an afloat installation of an ashore command and control system

Abstract

The installation process for afloat systems is very stringent. This rigor is necessary to ensure the Warfighters can fully utilize the functionality provided by information technology (IT) aboard a ship, especially when underway -- removed from most technical support and assistance. However, this rigor also increases the difficulty of executing an afloat installation. The purpose of this thesis is to document the lessons learned from the installation of the Ocean Surveillance Information System (OSIS) Evolutionary Development (OED) on board the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19). OED is an ashore multi-level secure (MLS) command and control and intelligence (C2I) computer system that is fielded at the Joint Intelligence Centers and Joint Analysis Centers. The MLS aspect of OED allows the operator to view and add value to data from multiple security domains on one workstation. In the space, weight, and power (SWAP) constrained environment of a ship, this technology is very advantageous. Since OED is an ashore system, this afloat installation presented a number of challenges and a unique perspective into the installation process. This thesis documents these challenges, how they were overcome and provides future installers recommendations to improve the planning of future afloat installations.