Tactical Control Systems (TCS)
Delivering Open System Flexibility For Rapid Technology Insertion
General Dynamics Mission Systems develops the Tactical Control System (TCS) for every submarine in the U.S. and Australian Navies. TCS ingests data from all of the submarine’s sensor and communication systems to provide a common operational picture. TCS provides sensor data fusion, target motion analysis, tactical situational awareness and command decision tools to enable the watch standers and commanding officers to execute their mission.
TCS Leads the Implementation of the Navy’s Open Source Initiative on Submarines
General Dynamics delivers TCS as part of the AN/BYG-1 combat system which integrates the tactical control, weapons/payload control, information assurance and tactical network subsystems. Development of the TCS portion of the system is separated from the weapons control system (WCS)/payload control system (PCS), allowing parallel development and certification of TCS and WCS/PCS. The AN/ BYG-1 acronym is derived from the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS): AN refers to Army/Navy, B indicates underwater systems, Y refers to data processing and G indicates Fire Control or Searchlight Directing.
The AN/BYG-1 is installed on the U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles, Seawolf, Virginia, SSGN, SSBN and the upcoming Columbia SSBN class, as well as on the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins-class submarines. Each of those submarines participates in the Technical Insertion/Advanced Processor Build (TI/APB) software modernization program, which delivers improved tactical and weapons/payload control capabilities to the submarine fleet.
Hardware upgrades, known as Technology Insertions (TIs), are developed on a biennial basis in the even years (TI16, TI18, TI20, for example) to improve capability and reliability, and to address commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) obsolescence. Each TI uses COTS equipment and open standards that provide interoperability, portability, scalability and supplier independence for all hardware and software components. The TCS system architecture allows for rapid COTS insertion to accommodate and integrate additional functionality and sensors.
Software upgrades (APBs) are developed on a biennial basis in the odd years (APB15, APB17, APB19) and can be supported by the hardware year that occurs either before or after the APB year. The TCS portion of BYG-1 integrates sensor inputs to provide a common operational picture and improved situational awareness in a cyber-secure environment that exploits the power of sonar, electronic support measures, radar, navigation, periscopes and communication. The result is a continuously updated tactical picture providing the commanding officer and his crew with the knowledge they require to most effectively operate their ship.
New System Capabilities
TCS uses virtualization to support software deployment across multiple hardware baselines and ship classes, allowing for sustained high tempo production deliveries. Recent enhancements have included upgrades to the contact management capability, the addition of mission planning, the integration of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) command and control and high definition displays.
A History of Weapon System Integration
As the integrator for the BYG-1, General Dynamics has once again demonstrated its leadership in providing innovative integration approaches to deliver cost effective solutions to the submarine force. General Dynamics developed the most reliable COTS-based fire control systems in the Navy’s inventory – those of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), as well as the Tomahawk Weapon Control System on SSGN – and has applied its expertise and experience to the AN/BYG-1 System. On TCS, General Dynamics has provided the business and technical framework needed for providing Team Submarine innovation, flexibility and responsiveness so that the best capability reaches the Fleet rapidly.
Download the AN/BYG-1 Submarine Tactical Control System (TCS) Datasheet
