*FM 3-27
Field Manual
No. 3-27
Headquarters
Department of the Army

Washington, D.C., 04 August 2023

Army Global Missile Defense Operations

This version of FM 3-27 reaffirms global MD operations as paramount to the security of the U.S. and its allies. The term global MD, as used throughout this document, implies defense against ballistic missile only; though future revisions may include other emerging technologies. FM 3-27 is the principle publication for describing the Army’s role and mission in global MD of the U.S. homeland, deployed forces, friends, and allies from ballistic missile attack. In the changing geopolitical environment, a number of countries overtly hostile to the U.S. have acquired ballistic missile system capabilities. The proliferation of missile technology has made the fielding of global MD a critical aspect to U.S. national security. Global MD must be capable of engaging all classes of ballistic missile threats and is a key component in the Army’s defense of the nation. This FM establishes the doctrinal framework for Army global MD operations in the Joint community. Global MD is defense against ballistic missiles that start and in one CCMD AOR as well as ballistic missile threats that cross the boundaries of two or more combatant commanders (CCDRCCDRCombatant commanders). It requires pre-attack synchronization between the affected CCDRs and consists of any defensive measures designed to destroy, nullify, or reduce the effectiveness of a ballistic missile attack. To achieve the Army’s objective of becoming a strategically responsive quality force, dominant across the range of military operations and fully integrated within the unified action environment security framework, the U.S. must fully integrate global MD. The Army’s strategic MD forces contribute to this effort by employing sensor and interceptor capabilities as part of the global MD operations. Commanders and staffs as well as the operational Army use the guiding principles in this manual for the successful execution of this global MD mission. In addition, other Services and Joint organizations can use this manual for doctrinal applications of global MD operations. Army trainers should use this manual for the curriculum in Army institutional training and leader development. This FM provides doctrinal guidance on the operations of the global MD elements and the integration of other BMD elements where applicable. This FM provides a short overview on the BMD elements such as the Patriot weapon system, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), the Army-Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance and Control Model 2 (AN/TPY-2) forward based mode (FBM) system, and ground-based midcourse defense (GMD). Summary of changes FM 3-27 was rewritten to document operational and force structure changes within the global MD environment. The current manual aligns global MD doctrine with current Department of Defense (DOD) policy, joint and Army doctrine. A summary of changes is outlined below: x Arranged chapters for better document flow. x Adds strategic level content articulating why global MD is existential for the security of the U.S. and our allies. x Updates document to reflect changes to the Unified Command Plan and force structure. x Updates OE material. x Updates terminology consistent with DOD Dictionary: ƒ Modified definition of global MD. ƒ Eliminated global ballistic missile defense term, definition, and GBMD acronym. ƒ Eliminated codified definition for ballistic missile defense —use of term and acronym still valid.

and information systems. The global MD system provides planning and battle management software and hardware, which employs layered defenses to ensure missile defeat during the midcourse and terminal flight phases. BMD provides defense against traditional ballistic missile attacks from close-range ballistic missiles (CRBM), short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM), medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBM), intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM), and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). 1-4. The friendly forces organization includes layered defenses with priority given to specific assets. This layered defense includes the ability for defense forces to engage and destroy the threat in the boost, midcourse, and terminal phase of flight. The defensive and complementary capability is attained from many independent systems, including sensors, weapons, C2, and communications networked together. 1-5. The Army has a major role in global MD against all categories of ballistic missiles in the midcourse and terminal phases of flight. Each Service is continuously upgrading their capabilities and deploying systems to keep pace with technology advancements being added to ballistic missiles. Global MD consists of multiple sensors and interceptors from all Services at every echelon of command as represented in figure 1-2. 1-6. BMD is dependent upon space-based, sea-based, and ground-based sensors, which are crucial for timely detection and communication of a ballistic missile launch against the United States (U.S.), our territories, our forces, and allies. An attack assessment—an evaluation of missile warning information to determine if the trajectory of a ballistic missile poses a threat—is made for the purpose of determining if a ballistic missile launch is a threat to the U.S. homeland. A positive attack assessment is used to direct active and passive defensive actions in a timely manner. 1-7. BMD consists of four major components: active defense, passive defense, attack operations, and battle management. x Active defense is the employment of limited offensive action and counterattacks to deny a contested area or position to the enemy (JP 3-60). The role of active defense is to protect critical assets Global Missile Defense Overview designated by the appropriate authority which may include population areas, forces, allies, critical infrastructure, and force generating capabilities from attacks. Active air and missile defense (AMD) is direct defensive action taken to destroy, nullify, or reduce the effectiveness of air and missile threats against friendly forces and assets. It includes the use of BMD weapons, as well as aircraft, air defense weapons, electromagnetic warfare assets, sensors, and other available capabilities. BMD and air defense are closely integrated to provide the essential elements of active defense in support of joint counterair operations. BMD is unique because of the significance of the ballistic missile threat and the difficulty of the defense. The integration of BMD and air defense elements contributes to defense in depth, with the potential for multiple engagements that increase the probability for success. When destruction of the missile prior to launch is not possible or unsuccessful, all available weapon systems should engage threat missiles throughout all phases of flight. x Passive defense are measures taken to reduce the probability of and to minimize the effects of damage caused by hostile action without the intention of taking the initiative (JP 3-60). Passive BMD include detection and early warning systems, signals intelligence, operations security, dispersion, camouflage, cover, concealment, redundancy, military deception, personal protective equipment, and protective construction. Dispersing forces limits the impact of a large scale attack while decreasing the likelihood of detection. Reducing vulnerabilities involves increasing speed of maneuver while limiting electronic signal emissions while in transit. Employing redundant systems and a decentralized command structure ensures a robust and layered defense that mitigates a single point of failure. Passive measures are used to limit damage and increase survivability of an attack by using protective construction measures like physical barriers, reinforced berms, and barricades to minimize attack damage. x Attack Operations. Active offensive measures intended to disrupt, neutralize, or destroy the missile or launch capabilities prior to launch. The objective of these operations is to prevent the launch of ballistic missiles by attacking each element of the overall system, including such actions as destroying launch platforms, reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition platforms, C2 nodes, missile stocks, and infrastructure. x Battle Management. Commanders perform battle management functions using an arrangement of personnel, equipment, communications, facilities, and procedures to plan, direct, coordinate, execute, and control forces within their theater. WHY MISSILE DEFENSE IS NECESSARY 1-8. A ballistic missile attack on the U.S. can have catastrophic effects and long term repercussions. Evan A rogue nation may be able to posture itself as an existential threat using a small number of weapons. Ballistic missiles can be launched without warning, at targets several thousand kilometers from the launch location and can be kept in a ready state until used. Offensive operations designed to neutralize the threat of ballistic missile weapons before hostilities are challenging. This is due to the location of the weapons and the risk of escalation to armed conflict. 1-9. Ballistic missiles are no longer limited to technologically advanced state actors. Advancements have increased the accuracy of ballistic missile weapons while increasing the survivability against defensive systems. They have simultaneously become cheaper to build, buy, and easier to operate. Proliferation of these systems have made them available to many smaller, often belligerent state and non-state actors. 1-10. Ballistic missiles are considered prestigious in some regions and critical to security. Smaller states, and some non-state actors have turned to ballistic missiles as a status symbol of government strength and power projection. Small countries without the means to develop and build their own capabilities can purchase these weapons from state actors willing to sell operational systems to any actor. Their resolve to use them is often a threat to regional stability and—as ranges increase—have become a threat to the U.S., our forces, and allies. This is why defense against a ballistic missile attack is necessary. T HE T HREAT 1-11. The threat of a ballistic missile attack is increasing and trends indicate the threat is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Current trends indicate that ballistic missile systems are easy to purchase, easy to

2-14. Composed of the basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society. This may include the functionality of electrical generators and similar utility systems. x The operations of most MD systems are designed to operate in unimproved areas where infrastructure may be austere. The only critical infrastructure is properly maintained roads capable of supporting large equipment with heavy loads such as tractor trailers and fuel delivery trucks. The ability to plug-in to host nation electrical grids may be beneficial, but is not a necessity as all deployable MD elements have the option to use generators to support both mission operations and site support power requirements. x The infrastructure needs of a support community—U.S. nationals, local population, or both—is of significant consideration. ƒ If placed in an austere environment where no community exists, all necessary services— including lodging, mission and mission support facilities, protection, sustainment—must be provided by the U.S. government. ƒ If placed near an established community, local services may have the capacity to provide some level of services over the long term. Physical Environment 2-15. Describes the degree to which the terrain imposes significant limitations on observation, maneuver, fires, and electromagnetic propagation, and includes natural geography, man-made structures, climate, weather, and hazards in the AOR. Helps determine factors such as what types of terrain or weather conditions in the AOR favor friendly, neutral, or enemy operations. x IAMD staff planners should consider the effects of mountains, buildings, and other physical barriers on SATCOM and theater missile warning transmissions. ƒ Consider the degree to which the terrain imposes significant limitations on observation, electronic line of site, and information collection assets, optics, and sensors. ƒ Complex terrain is a topographical area consisting of an urban center larger than a village and or of two or more types of restrictive terrain or environmental conditions occupying the same space. x Understanding and predicting the environmental impacts help to mitigate their effect through preparation (selecting different operating frequencies, boosting power, timing transmissions to occur during periods of minimum interference). x In coordination with the staff weather officer, the space operations officer must monitor terrestrial and space weather and predict the effects on space systems. This coordination will enable development of courses of action to mitigate weather effects in support of Army operational planning and execution. x Terrestrial weather affects space systems by way of clouds, rain and thunderstorms. Clouds may block access of electro-optical sensors which are part of the MD architecture. Rain may have effects on communication frequencies, and thunderstorms cause disturbances in the ionosphere and thermosphere. Considerations include: ƒ What effects will terrestrial or space weather have on missile warning and the impacts on global MD operations? ƒ What effects will space and terrestrial weather have on data gathered and transmitted by space assets regarding BMD elements? Time 2-16. Describes the timing and duration of activities, events, or conditions within an OE, as well as how the timing and duration are perceived by various actors in the OE. Timing helps determine factors such as what times are people likely to congest roads or attend high density events, or conduct activities that provide a cover for hostile operations. Operational Environment and Threats x Global MD is a temporal fight. Short flight times and small TEW demand timely, persistent, reliable, and accurate threat detection indications that enable real-time defensive responses. Responses must be coordinated and shared prior to an attack to ensure efficiency. x CCDRs should provide execution authority to subordinate forces according to planned guidance and rules of engagement prior to a ballistic missile threat. Subordinate commanders should be flexible and have the authority to adapt to the situation in accordance with the commander’s intent when situations do not develop as the staff planners envisioned. x IAMD staff planners help commanders and staffs understand the time constraints associated with MD. Planners must take into consideration the constraints and limitations on BMD systems movement to locations required to provide defense and plan to have the systems in place prior to the start of hostilities. x Although engagement authorization is centralized, effective engagement required decentralized execution for weapon system fire control. The speed at which attacking ballistic missiles can travel and the range and the speed at which intercepts occur makes rapid responses essential. Centralized execution would cause unnecessary delays, limit response, and have a negative impact on the TEW. M ISSION V ARIABLES 2-17. Commanders and staffs require a mission analysis focused on their specific situation. Upon receipt of a warning order or mission, Army tactical echelon staff planners filter relevant information from the broader scoped operational variables identified by the operational headquarters to narrow their focus into information that directly affects their specific mission using the mission variables. Mission variables are used by staff planners during mission analysis to facilitate situational understanding when developing plans. 2-18. Mission variables are the categories of relevant military information used for planning operations as part of the joint planning process. Mission analysis uses the mission variables as a construct for developing plans and are used during intelligence analysis, to facilitate situational awareness, and provide situational understanding of the threats. The mission variables use the mnemonic METT-TC (I), and stands for: x Mission. x Enemy. x Terrain and weather. x Troops and support available. x Time available. x Civil considerations. x Informational considerations.

discussed in the OE section of chapter 2. E NGAGEMENT C RITERIA 3-33. Engagement criteria are critical elements of planning. A competent authority issues engagement criteria directives to delineate the circumstances and limitations under which U.S. forces initiate and continue combat engagement with other forces. The DOD provides guidance, fundamental policies and procedures governing the actions of commanders and Soldiers during all military operations with regards to rules of engagement and rules for the use of force for U.S. forces. All global MD weapon systems have system engagement criteria that must be met as part of the rules of engagement. Procedurally, the engagement criteria must be met before the fire control Director requests permission to place the weapon system into a weapons free state. The weapons release authority grants permission to place the weapon system into a weapons free state for the current threat. The specific procedures to place a system into a weapons free state is unique to each weapon system. 3-34. Supplemental rules may augment the standing rules of engagement and rules for the use of force. Approval of supplemental rules of engagement and rules for the use of force may be necessary before engagement. Rules for the use of force directives are a guide for U.S. forces during various operations. These directives may take the form of execution orders, deployment orders, memoranda of agreement, or plans. Supplemental engagement criteria are always applicable unless superseded by properly approved and directed supplemental rules of engagement and rules for the use of force. Other directives issued by the President, Secretary of Defense, or other competent authority, such as those delineating weapons free, may modify or supersede provisions in the standing rules of engagement.

5-5. The Aegis Ashore system is designed to protect U.S. deployed forces and NATONATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization allies in Europe against the threat of MRBM and IRBM attack. The Aegis Ashore is very similar to the sea-based version of the Aegis weapon system using the same detection radar, interceptors, software, and engagement procedures. Aegis Ashore provides long-range surveillance and tracking capability to support BMD engagements. The Aegis Ashore weapon system with the Standard Missile-3 provides intercept against SRBMs, MRBMs, and IRBMs. 5-6. The antenna array provides wide angle coverage and the AN/SPY-1 data provides sufficient target information to launch the systems interceptors. During a nominal engagement the target data is used to cue other global MD elements. Aegis Ashore weapon system may receive cues directly from other sensor data and determines classification quality information during late boost and early mid-course phase of a ballistic missile trajectory. 5-7. Aegis Ashore weapon system is equipped with the AN/SPY-1 radar is an S-band phased-array system. The AN/SPY-1 can achieve acquisition of the threat through autonomous search using pre-planned search sectors, cueing from SBIRS sensors, or cueing from other global MD elements such as other Aegis BMD ships or AN/TPY-2 FBM system. Once a threat is acquired, the Aegis Ashore weapon system continues to track the target to the maximum extent of the AN/SPY-1 radar or until manual operator action is initiated. 5-8. Planning for use of Aegis Ashore weapon system to support homeland defense requires additional considerations when compared to other global MD elements. AN/TPY-2 F ORWARD B ASED M ODE S YSTEM O PERATIONS 5-9. The AN/TPY-2 FBM system is a U.S. Army transportable surveillance system that complements other DOD sensor systems to provide detection and tracking of missile launches originating within a systems field of view. It is a forward based, multi-role radar system that supports the defense of the U.S. homeland and theater forces from ballistic missile attacks. 5-10. The sensor management functions configures and controls the AN/TPY-2 FBM system using C2BMC. The AN/TPY-2 FBM system provides continuous processing of near real-time warning and alerting of ballistic missile threats that pass through the sensors field of view. It is a high resolution, medium to long-range search and target acquisition phased-array radar operating in the X-band. The sensor is capable of providing early warning, target type-classification, engagement quality data, external sensor cueing, launch location, and target impact-point estimates. Data is transmitted and available to CCDRs for the protection of military assets, civilian populations, and geopolitical centers. Dissemination of data uses existing worldwide communications networks and those available within theater. 5-11. The AN/TPY-2 FBM system has a wide field of view; it is capable of simultaneously supporting theater, cross-AOR, and homeland defense. The radar provides engagement quality track data through C2BMC to Aegis BMD and GMD. It is capable of discriminating between RVs and debris for Aegis BMD, but cannot discriminating between RVs and debris due its location relative to RV separation in regards to homeland defense. 5-12. The AN/TPY-2 FBM system automatically performs object classification such as RV, tank, bus, decoy, chaff or junk, with no operator intervention required under nominal conditions. The AN/TPY-2 FBM system design supports cross-cueing of detection and track data with other sensors. 5-13. The AN/TPY-2 FBM system provides object track information to the tactical data link (TDL) or Link-16 communications network and provides cueing data to Aegis BMD and SBX. Other missions may include support to theater warning, support to targeting operations for global strike, theater attack operations, and cueing and tracking support to theater BMD operations.

This chapter describes the worldwide communications systems needed to support the global MD and it provides a general review of the existing architectures in support of worldwide communications. The worldwide communications network is the link that connects global MD elements with fire control networks for missile intercepts. Additionally, key organizations that support global MD have duties and responsibilities to ensure specific communications systems and equipment are always available to support battle management and C2 for global MD. COMMUNICATIONS 6-1. Global MD uses many secure voice and data communication systems to execute the mission. The global MD communications capabilities are secure, survivable, interoperable, and collaborative to provide connectivity to the entire community. Information assurance is built into every aspect of the system to ensure a high probability of mission success. The communications infrastructure consists of interoperable systems spread across theaters with considerations for host nation interface and multinational forces. To support inter-and intra-theater communications, a comprehensive network has been developed. 6-2. Reliable communications are imperative for the BMD elements conducting individual mission operations. Effective battle management requires reliable communications support to enable the commander to conduct operations during stressing situations, for prolonged time periods, over vast distances. The commander should retain the flexibility to operate global MD elements across the battlefield and to maintain communication links with the C2 elements, space-based systems, and maintain access to time-sensitive data to influence the battle. 6-3. Seamless, integrated secure communications networks provide for the horizontal and vertical integration of voice, data, graphics, imagery, and video information. Integrated networks support combat operations with the purpose of keeping the commander informed. This means connectivity to joint communications links, worldwide connectivity of extended-range assets, and integrated communications. These networks must connect to existing military and civilian, Joint and multinational partners, operations, forces, intelligence centers, sustainment centers, and support administrative functions. 6-4. SATCOM supports all battlefield systems to significantly enhance the speed and accuracy of useful information that commanders exchange with subordinates. Communications networks provide entry at key points within the force structure to facilitate situational awareness through data exchange and through automated routing capabilities. 6-5. Global MD communications systems require the capability to collect, process, display, and communicate large amounts of information while denying the enemy access to the information. Communications systems supporting global MD are capable of providing secure, near real-time exchange of essential information between commanders and subordinate commanders. The communications architecture is sufficiently flexible and responsive to allow timely redirection of resources even during degraded operations caused by an intermediate level outage. 6-6. The global MD communications infrastructure needs interoperable systems that facilitate the conduct of MD operations against a threat. The organizations with responsibilities in global MD communications are uniquely organized to accomplish their mission. Responsibility for providing communications resides with all agencies from the combat developer down to the elements. 6-7. The BMD communications network was established for communication integration and data transfer of ballistic missile information. The notifications are targeted at three tiers: x Tier I—strategic level command centers and those relevant to subordinate and adjacent commands, command centers, forward joint forces, and other interested units within global MD. x Tier II—command centers, operations centers, and command posts necessary to ensure forces are notified of a possible impact in their vicinity. Includes surveillance, tracking, engagement, and reporting elements in support of global MD operations at the theater level. x Tier III—other elements not included in Tiers 1 and 2—managed by individual command. 6-8. JFCC-IMD manages the Tier I assets and the CCMDs joint command, control, and communications systems directorates manage the Tier II assets. Tier III consists of the individual global MD user elements. The BMD communications network includes the leased GMD communications network, TDL, and all physical and logical links providing data and voice communications. GLOBAL MISSILE DEFENSE NETWORKS 6-9. To support global MD operations, communications are established and maintained using all available means, including strategic, tactical service component, sustaining base, commercially-leased, multinational, and host nation communications. The required communications supports high-speed data systems with data storage, retrieval, and dissemination capabilities. The following types of information are exchanged: x Situational-awareness—consists of common operational picture and alerting and early warning. x C2—consists of command, OPCON, and tactical control. x Operations and intelligence—consists of planning, coordination, orders, reports, warning intelligence, target intelligence and packages, and combat information on targets. x Administrative/sustainment—consists of personnel and unit information, status reports, and sustaining information. B ALLISTIC M ISSILE D EFENSE C OMMUNICATIONS N ETWORK 6-10. The purpose of the BMD communications network is to ensure commanders have access to the information required to execute the global MD mission. The BMD communication network is comprised of numerous distinct communications systems including military and commercial SATCOM and Defense Information System Agency provisioned terrestrial services. Global MD is supported by the BMD communications network to connect homeland and theater MD operations. The communications architecture includes the BMD communications network and GMD communications network. 6-11. The BMD communications network is a collection of telecommunications switching, routing, and ancillary equipment and interconnecting virtual circuits that distribute global MD information among subsystems, using the DOD telecommunications infrastructure such as the global information grid and the Defense Information Systems Network. The communications architecture is not a dedicated network for global MD; rather, it shares the same transport and communications systems used to support a variety of distributed missions. The infrastructure consists of both hardened and non-hardened commercial and military SATCOM. The BMD communications network supports operations, research, development, test, and evaluation activities. 6-12. The BMD communications network provides communications links between the C2BMC suites, Aegis BMD, AN/TPY-2 FBM system, Patriot, THAAD, GMD, and SBIRS. The BMD communications network includes all the data, voice, video, and transport systems independently installed and operated across multiple AORs supporting the global MD mission. The BMD communications network assists worldwide and theater service providers with isolation activities, ensuring network outages affecting the global MD are resolved in a timely manner. G ROUND - BASED M IDCOURSE D EFENSE C OMMUNICATIONS N ETWORK 6-13. The GMD communications network is a dedicated worldwide network providing communications connectivity for GMD elements, but is also a congruent communications network with interfaces to the larger BMD communications network. The GMD communications network connects the elements of GMD with a secure, fire control system supporting the defeat of threat missiles. The GMD communications network integrates multiple separate sub-components collectively, capable of secure data, secure voice links, and encrypted long-haul multimedia communications links. It uses both government and leased civilian equipment. A fundamental criterion to select the elements of the GMD communications network was the need to configure a data and voice network that was both accurate and rapid. 6-14. The purpose of the GMD communications network is to ensure the GFC elements have direct access to the information required to execute the GBIs in support of homeland defense. The network provides the infrastructure that connects all BMD elements, including sensors, weapons, and battle management systems. The network includes the leased GMD communications network, commercial and military SATCOM, radio frequency line-of-site systems, TDL, and all physical and logical links providing data and voice communications. Figure 6-1 depicts the topology of the major various elements in the GMD communications network. 6-15. The GMD communications network provides: x Links between the sensors and GFC. x Connectivity between GFC nodes. x Connectivity to the GBI missile fields. 6-16. The GMD communications network is composed of long-haul communications, long-haul communications system manager, communications node equipment, and network system manager. The long-haul communications provides secure, reliable, multi-path, wide area network services between all geographically separated GMD locations, using fiber optic cable and SATCOM. The long-haul communications system monitors the health and status and controls the wide area network. A single long-6-17. The communications node equipment and the network status monitor provide each GMD element access to the secure, survivable GMD communications network. The communications node equipment is that portion of the GMD communications network subcomponent that provides communications interface to each GMD element. Ground stations are the components that provide the data communications access to the GMD element within each local geographical area. 6-18. The network status monitor collection station, collocated with each communications node equipment, provides local communications and ground stations equipment performance monitoring, fault detection, isolation and resolution, and status reporting. Two network status monitor workstations are collocated with each GFC node. The network status monitor workstations are responsible for fault detection, insertion, recovery, and the issuance and tracking of trouble tickets, as well as ground stations system status reporting. Also collocated with each GFC node is a maintenance execution center to facilitate coordination between the onsite sustainment centers and the system operators. 6-19. The GMD communications network operations center provides status reporting to the Global Integrated Network Operations Integration Center for distribution to appropriate CCMDs and the BMD communications network. The GMD communications network operations center is responsible for network restoration, coordination of scheduled maintenance events, near real-time analysis of circuit performance, issuing of trouble reports, and resolving network status alarms. The GMD communications network operations center also implements transitions for simultaneous test and operations across the GMD communications network. These transitions are directed and implemented by the GMD communications network operations center network operators, engineers and trained and certified field engineers located at the various GMD sites. 6-20. USNORTHCOM uses situational awareness data provided by the C2BMC system, GFC remote workstation, and voice communication with the MDE to exercise OPCON of GMD elements. USSPACECOM has OPCON of some GMD-related sensors. GFC nodes have the ability to directly task some sensors in support of operations. Other sensors’ support is coordinated through the C2BMC. 6-21. SBIRS satellites send data to the Joint OPIR Planning Center. The SBIRS Joint OPIR Planning Center uses external system interfaces to connect to C2BMC and GMD communications network. The Aegis BMD elements use satellite TDL and multicast TDL to send data to the GMD communications network using the external system interfaces. The GFC nodes are connected to the C2BMC system via the GMD communications network and the BMD communications network using long-haul communications. 6-22. The AN/TPY-2 FBM system provides data into the GMD communications network. The AN/TPY-2 FBM system interfaces with the C2BMC network through the C2BMC Network Interface Processor. Data is passed to the GFC. Execution of the AN/TPY-2 FBM system sensor management function is through the C2BMC terminals, which are generally located remotely from the radar. 6-23. Voice communications required for support and coordination of global MD operations is through Red and Black phone switch networks. The radar site operations element and the sensor management element are participants in both switched networks. Communications requirements for collateral mission support are determined by the CCMD. I N -F LIGHT I NTERCEPTOR C OMMUNICATIONS S YSTEM 6-24. The in-flight interceptor communications system is a dedicated system of a high-powered communication terminals and antennas used by the GFC nodes to communicate with launched EKVs. It establishes data communication links between the data terminals and in-flight EKVs. The data terminals provide communication support for the transmission of in-flight target updates from the GFC nodes to the EKV and the reception of the in-flight status report from the EKV to the GFC nodes. The terminals are located in diverse sites over a broad area to ensure line-of-sight with the EKVs at all times.

This chapter provides the framework by which the Army sustains the global MD program. The chapter begins with an overview of ballistic missile sustainment, to include Army responsibility and unique ballistic missile site characteristics. The chapter then describes the support concept and principles that enable sustainment of global MD. The chapter concludes by describing the combination of unique contractor and Army provided support to the specialized facilities and personnel required to maintain readiness. SUSTAINMENT REQUIREMENT OVERVIEW 7-1. The Army’s responsibility for global MD sustainment support extends into a CCMD AOR and may be modified when sustainment support is otherwise provided for by agreements with host nation agencies, joint Services, or by CCDRs. The CCMD may determine that common servicing would be beneficial within the AOR or a designated operational area. If so, the CCMD may delegate the responsibility for providing or coordinating service for all Service components in the AOR or designated area to the Service component that is the dominant user. Service components identify and validate support requirements in both the deliberate and crisis action planning processes, and then provides these requirements to the supporting Service component as soon as possible. 7-2. Global MD units have several characteristics that affect their sustainment. x Continuous 24-hour operations. Oversight must be consistent and include careful scheduling of maintenance activities to avoid unintended gaps in coverage. x Many homeland defense elements are large permanent structures, which are decades old and may require frequent service life extension upgrades. x Many global MD elements are mobile by design and reside in locations with increased threats. x Many sites are in northern latitudes where operation in cold weather is a factor. x The limited number of sites create a very low density for line item replaceable units and trained military occupational specialty positions. x Some BMD systems require extensive contractor support maintenance concept, which requires contractor life-cycle support. x Planned upgrades are in phased incremental capability deliveries. Successive capability deliveries increase the overall capability of the system to meet the evolving threat. However, these planned upgrades pose operational and sustainment challenges. S UPPORT C ONCEPT 7-3. Originally, the GMD system was a test bed operation that was primarily designed to serve as a test and development environment. When the system was directed to transition to operational status, the GMD system provide an initial, limited defensive operational capability. However, the requirement to simultaneously use the GMD system as a test bed to perform non-operational development, test, exercise, training, and maintenance activities remained. The requirement for simultaneous use of the GMD elements to conduct both tactical operations and other necessary activities remains valid. This ideal has expanded too many other global MD elements. Simultaneous use means a partial set of elements is continuously available and on operational alert regardless of any non-operational activities taking place. Consequently, the support concept developed to meet the varying needs of all global MD elements are broad and cannot simply focus on operational support. S UPPORT P RINCIPLES 7-4. Support of the commander’s plan and intent is the goal of all sustainment efforts. Successful support is both effective and efficient. Effective support requires a thorough understanding of the commander’s intent and synchronizing support plans with the concept of operations. Successful support must be both effective and efficient. Even though global MD is unique in many aspects, there are seven common principles of support that apply to facilitate effective and efficient support operations. The seven principles are responsiveness, simplicity, flexibility, economy, attainability, sustainability, and survivability. x Responsiveness. The right support in the right quantity in the right place at the right time. Among the logistic principles, responsiveness is the keystone; all else becomes irrelevant if the logistic system cannot support the concept of operations of the supported commander. x Simplicity. Fosters efficiency in the planning and execution of national and AOR logistic operations. Mission-type orders and standardized, interoperable procedures contribute to simplicity. Establishment of priorities and pre-allocation of supplies and services by the supported unit may simplify logistic sustainment. x Flexibility. The ability to adapt logistic structures and procedures to changing situations, missions, and concepts of operation. Logistic plans and operations must be flexible in order to achieve both responsiveness and economy. This principle is a guide for strategic thinking and forms the template for synchronized and coordinated joint logistic planning. x Economy. Achieved when effective support is provided using the fewest resources at the least cost, and within acceptable levels of risk. At some level and to some degree, resources are always limited. When prioritizing and allocating resources, the commander must continuously consider economy and optimize use of resources to ensure effectiveness and mission success while supporting every effort toward achieving efficiency. x Attainability. The ability to provide the minimum essential supplies and services required to begin combat operations and is sometimes referred to as adequacy. The commander’s logistic staff develops the concept of logistic support, completes the logistic estimate, and initiates resource identification based on the supported commander’s requirements, priorities, and apportionment. x Sustainability. A measure of the ability to maintain logistic support to all users throughout the AOR for the duration of the operation. Sustainability focuses the supporting commander’s attention on long-term objectives and capabilities of the supported forces. Long-term support is the greatest challenge for the logistician, who must not only attain the minimum essential materiel levels to initiate combat operations (readiness) but must also sustain those operations. x Survivability. The capacity of the organization to prevail in the face of potential destruction. Logistic units and installations are also high-value targets that must be safeguarded by both active and passive measures. Active measures must include a defense plan for supply with provisions for reinforcement and protection against air and missile threats. Passive measures include dispersion, physical protection of personnel and equipment, deception, and limiting the size of an installation to what is essential for the mission. G LOBAL M ISSILE D EFENSE S USTAINMENT C ONCEPT 7-5. The government furnished equipment support concept provides support to the commander by including: x A single life-cycle support contractor who is responsible for all system peculiar maintenance support and is responsive to the commander’s direction. Through its prime contractor support system, the prime contractor manages all logistical areas of maintenance and system upgrades. x Supply support. x Support equipment, training, and training devices. x Technical data. x Computer resources. x Facilities and system facilities maintenance. x Packaging, handling, storing, and transporting. 7-6. In addition, commanders must have a thorough understanding of the contractors’ statements of work and their benchmarks and provisions for ensuring responsive and appropriate logistics support. The centralized logistics management support structure is under the support contractor’s responsibility as detailed below. x A logistics control center is the support contractor’s responsibility. The logistics control center provides a single point of contact for all sustainment actions and readily accessible sustainment information, such as repair parts usage, due-ins, equipment status, and equipment readiness reporting data. x The contractor operates the onsite control center tailored to the needs of the elements at each location. x The onsite support center is the main element through which the contractor manages the maintenance support of elements and reports to the commander. Within the onsite support center, the maintenance management center is the single point of contact to facilitate the military oversight of the support contractor, and ensures the contractor’s responsiveness to the commander’s direction. x The maintenance of government furnished equipment exists at two levels: unit-level (onsite) maintenance and depot-level (offsite) maintenance. Some depot-level maintenance may be performed onsite due to the requirement for continuous 24-hours operations. x Extensive use of both diagnostic and prognostic maintenance capabilities using build-in test equipment, built-in test, and Condition Based Maintenance Plus procedures to automatically predict, detect, and isolate faults down to the line replaceable unit without interfering with mission performance while the system is operating. x The contractor replaces the line replaceable unit and repairs it onsite or offsite, as required. x For the long term, the Army considers the use of commercial equipment and practices best for the fixed sites. x Reachback is the use of prime contractor assets outside of the support contract when it becomes necessary to sustain acquisition, construction, maintenance, operation, and disposition of facilities. x Fix or fight criteria – Operators and maintainers determine System Capability failure analysis criteria to evaluate system’s capabilities and to determine if components are likely to fail during crisis or combat operations. x Logistics considers the parameters that have negative effects on the probability of engagement success such as time to troubleshoot, time to repair, availability of line replaceable unit for repair operations, criticality of defended asset, and time to impact. These criteria determine if operations proceed or if a system is taken offline for repair. x The MDA continues to have primary responsibility for development and production contracts, which encompass the hardware and software development efforts, obsolescence risk reduction, testing and site System hardware procurement. They retain responsibility for software configuration management and for post deployment software support regardless of whether a MDA or Army contract is used. 7-7. The key imperative is contractor support must be responsive to the operational need and sustain operations on a noninterference basis. This is critical given the importance of the global MD mission and the need to generate forces in crises. Commanders must be familiar with ATPATPArmy Techniques Publications 4-10 to ensure contractor operations support the mission. CONTRACTOR LOGISTICS SUPPORT 7-8. The maintenance strategy is a two-level maintenance concept referred to as Field and Sustainment maintenance. The Army normally refers to this concept as organizational and depot levels of maintenance. However, since supporting the global MD components are conducted via contractor logistics support, the field and sustainment maintenance is often referred to as onsite and offsite maintenance. The prime contractor is responsible for identifying and accomplishing onsite tasks, and tasks which require equipment to be sent offsite for repair or replacement by the prime contractor or the original equipment manufacturer. 7-9. Onsite maintenance consists of tasks performed on both the installed equipment and removing failed items for repair at maintenance facilities within the compound. All maintenance activities are conducted via contractor logistics support. The prime contractor is responsible for planning, acquiring, and implementing all activities necessary to support the program. For example, the contractor logistics support contract for the AN/TPY-2 FBM system requires the contractor to sustain the AN/TPY-2 FBM system at all deployed locations. Support equipment and services may be obtained from the host command or host nation. Trade studies have been conducted to improve global MD maintenance concepts. 7-10. Offsite maintenance is performed by the prime contractor or the original equipment manufacturer as agreed upon between the Army and MDA. Offsite maintenance includes depot level repairable items, other unit maintenance (environment, transportation), and initial spare parts as required. 7-11. Condition Based Maintenance Plus is the application and integration of appropriate processes, technologies, and knowledge-based capability to improve the reliability and maintenance effectiveness of DOD systems and components. Condition Based Maintenance Plus is maintenance performed on evidence of need provided by reliability centered maintenance analysis and other enabling processes and technologies such as system health monitoring and management using embedded sensors. To the commander, Condition Based Maintenance Plus is the ability to meet mission requirements with proactively driven maintenance, as well as the ability to optimize the competing demands of warfighting and planned maintenance. P RIME C ONTRACTOR S UPPORT S YSTEM 7-12. The deployment and maintenance system of the prime contractor provides contractor logistics support to meet the readiness objective for the fielded global MD elements. To accomplish this, the deployment and sustainment system has put in place a prime contractor support system that uses a two level maintenance concept of on and offsite maintenance. The Office of Emergency Management and the prime contractor develop and implement a single integrated support infrastructure as the method for implementing an executable support system. 7-13. The prime contractor support system is composed of organization, functions, information systems, tools, and a communications infrastructure. The deployment and maintenance system support organization centrally manages the prime contractor support system through the logistics control center. Each BMD element has its own logistics control center. 7-14. Prime contractor support system overview: x Prime contractor support system provides the support infrastructure and maintenance management system for support of prime mission equipment, associated support equipment and operational facilities. x Logistics control center provides centralized management of the support system. x Offsite support centers execute hands-on maintenance of prime mission equipment at sites. x Offsite support centers perform depot support located at prime mission equipment repair facilities. x Integrated data management and communications links prime contractor support system together. L OGISTICS C ONTROL C ENTER 7-15. A logistics control center provides centralized management of all sustainment development program resources and activities. A logistics control center is located at the prime contractor facilities and manned by subject matter experts from all the prime offices. Each BMD system has its own logistics control center responsible for serving all elements of the system. MDA provides key interfaces for the logistics control center and the site managers for the operations center. Listed below are the principal functions and responsibilities of the logistics control center: x Coordinates the repair, replenishment, movement, inventory, distribution, and modification of all prime mission equipment elements. x Maintains support data on global MD elements including status and location. x Provides scheduled and unscheduled maintenance information to track relevant statistical data on all global MD elements, as required. x Analyzes prime contractor support system sustainment performance data to determine improvement in the system effectiveness. x Provides reports as required to government and prime contractor management. x Provides centralized management of processes and procedures, acquisition control, transportation coordination, and authority for parts re-route. x Provides training to personnel prior to deployment. x Collects maintenance data from sites, compiles reports, and distributes reliability, availability, and maintainability data and other analyses. x Provides program administrators for sustainment management information systems, computerized inventory and maintenance management system, and training records databases. x Maintains prime contractor support system metrics. Use of Spiral Development 7-16. Global MD systems frequently use a spiral development process. The concept allows a system to be developed and deployed now, then undergo regular system improvements over the lifetime of the system to respond to changing threats. Spiral development uses planned upgrades to gradually add advanced capabilities while spreading the cost over decades. Spiral development includes physical space, power upgrades and distribution, and air handling without interference or impact to mission operations. 7-17. The local commander is centrally involved in all systems upgrades and maintenance decisions to ensure current operations are not degraded and ensure there are no impacts to system sustainment operations. Because the mission requires continuous operations, windows of opportunity to shut down specific sections of a system for routine and preventive maintenance are closely monitored. Performing maintenance in real-time without interference and before malfunctions cause secondary and tertiary faults is critical to the mission. Redundancy and multiple nodes in systems allow sub-elements to be off-line while performing maintenance. Managing maintenance windows for equipment is accomplished through the asset management process. 7-18. The system requires certification testing of new hardware and software for fixes and upgrades. Any equipment or software connected to operations must be rigorously tested and certified before incorporation in the operational configuration. Some testing may be conducted on a non-interference basis and some testing may require the entire system to be shut down. Other Sustainment Operations 7-19. Global MD elements require continuous, reliable electrical power, air handling, and fire protection. Primary considerations are: x The site operates on tactical generators that are high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (known as HEMP) hardened. Where possible, the site operates on commercial power when low threat conditions allow. The extreme dependence of the system operation on both electrical power and cooling equipment requires that the sites have their own backup power generators. x Heating, cooling, and ventilation must be available to support year-round continuous operations. Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear protection must be integral to the design of system operations facilities. x Fire protection is an operational concern for global MD elements that must operate continuously. The unit coordinates for fire protection and equipment not likely to cause collateral damage to the system, and allow the system to operate through all emergencies. x Limited time operation by personnel within enclosed environments is possible (for example, using breathing apparatus to accomplish emergency functions, as required). Sustainment Reporting and Activity Processes 7-20. Operational reporting is conducted by all elements for sustainment actions and situational awareness purposes. The fire control node forwards equipment outages reports (known as OUTSPOT) up their chain and to the appropriate command center. An Asset Management Conference is conducted with key agencies to evaluate the impacts and effects to operations capability. Immediately following the Asset Management Conference, outages affecting operations and protection capabilities are reported and posted to all global MD agencies. 7-21. The BMD operational readiness reporting system is the system of record to collect operational readiness and system configuration data generated by the BMD elements. It is a portal-based reporting and data collections system developed specifically to provide operational readiness and system configuration information for the global MD. It accumulates operational readiness and system configuration information from data received within the operations support centers or from any site with access to their portal. The operational readiness reporting system asset list is maintained on a classified portal. Unit Readiness 7-22. Unit readiness is directly tied to sustainment operations. Global MD elements must remain ready to successfully complete the global MD mission while managing many factors such as routine maintenance, equipment upgrades, and training. Commander ensures elements are operationally ready according to the potential for attack, the threat level, force protection, information protection, operational area security, antiterrorism, survivability, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear, safety, and readiness condition. Ultimately it is the commander of a global MD element who is responsible for unit readiness. Therefore, the commander participates in Asset Management Conferences and is involved in making schedules and readiness decisions. ARMY SUSTAINMENT FOR GLOBAL MISSILE DEFENSE 7-23. The Army’s sustainment objective is to ensure mission success. Global MD elements must be operationally ready according to the force protection condition, and the readiness condition to defend against potential attack, Operations and sustainment are interdependent. Sustainment provides the commander the means to initiate and maintain operations at all levels of warfare. S USTAINMENT F UNDAMENTALS 7-24. The science of sustainment fundamentals for the Army applies to global MD elements and integrates strategic, operational, and tactical sustainment efforts. The sustainment fundamentals include mobilization and deployment of units, personnel, equipment, and supplies in support of the global MD operations worldwide. Properly employed global MD forces allow a nation the freedom of action to deliver forces and materiel to the required points of application across the range of military operations from stability operations to major combat operations to successfully conduct those operations. A nation’s capability to deliver logistic resources has historically been a major factor in military operations (JP 4-0). 7-25. During materiel acquisition, the Army requires critical systems be militarized, ruggedized, or hardened to operate reliably in environments which might be subject to attacks. An example of militarized, ruggedized, and hardened is the global MD tactical support facilities which can withstand chemical and biological attacks. Deployed forces must take steps to decrease their vulnerability to, or reduce the effectiveness of, an attack. For example, during deployment, forces can— x Use site reconnaissance and selection, field fortifications, and dispersal. x Implement post-attack recovery and reconstitution procedures. x Ensure critical functions and capabilities remain intact by using backup or alternate systems (redundant or robust means) to reduce vulnerability to attack. F ACILITIES 7-26. The Army must maintain support and facilities for global MD sites both within the continental United States and OCONUSOCONUSOutside the continental United States. For the Army facilities management and responsibilities, see AR 420-1. 7-27. Installation Management Command has responsibility for facilities and support. The basis for additional OCONUSOCONUSOutside the continental United States considerations are the Status of Forces Agreement or host nation agreement that may augment the method of support provided by Installation Management Command. 7-28. Sustainment at BMD locations include maintenance support for mobile elements, fixed facilities, site complex, and support facilities. x The base must be a closed area in the territory of the host nation used by U.S. forces pursuant to the provisions of the agreement for the purpose of deployment of GBIs. The base constitutes an agreed facility and area as defined in the U.S.-host nation supplemental Status of Forces Agreement. The base corresponds to a U.S. installation. x The BMD complex is a restricted area. Restricted areas are located within the military base or installation where all system components, support equipment, installation and maintenance is under U.S. control. x BMD facilities are permanent structure built within the complex to house, operate, or support system operations. M ISSION T ACTICAL F ACILITIES 7-29. Mission tactical facilities are those facilities that contain, or are essential to, the operation of launch essential mission critical equipment and systems. The design of BMD facilities meet specific operating requirements and environments. These requirements include— x Power and heating plant. x Fuel storage facility. x Interceptor field. x Mechanical electrical building. x Interceptor monitoring building. x In-flight interceptor communications system data terminals. x Communications Support Complex. x Site infrastructure such as, but not limited to communications, power, and water distribution lines, that directly connects to or operates with launch essential mission critical equipment and systems. M ISSION S UPPORT F ACILITIES 7-30. Mission support facilities are collocated with the tactical facilities in the launch farm complex and are required to operate and sustain those components. The design of facilities meet the operating requirements and environments of the system being sustained. The baseline tactical sustainment facilities are: x Administration and maintenance facility. x Security monitoring and response facility. x Entry control station. x Logistic warehouse. x Interceptor storage facility. x Water supply building. x Waste water treatment facility. x General site infrastructure such as water, sewer, electrical, fire protection, roads, fences, parking areas. P ERSONNEL 7-31. Army Soldiers and prime contractor personnel staff and maintain systems for continuous 24-hour operations. The approach for operational and support personnel are qualified and certified military personnel and the maintenance and support personnel are provided via a contractor logistics support concept. Contract personnel fall under a chain of command established by the prime contractor. 7-32. The Army, in conjunction with the prime contractor and individual global MD element, specifies the quantities and skills of labor required for the element. Military personnel are expected to have completed their respective institutional resident training courses, been awarded their required Army military occupational specialty codes or area of concentration, upgraded their proficiency via on-the-job training and experience, and attended advanced residence courses. These individuals may occupy operations, maintenance, and support positions that include operator, command, staff, instructor, and test functions. The local unit commander of each element is responsible to certify personnel in their positions. Contractor personnel are qualified and certified by their respective organizations on assigned positions and duties. M ISSILE D EFENSE A GENCY 7-33. The MDA keeps CCMDs informed of the programs, plans, system capabilities, characteristics, limitations, and sustainment plans of global MD. They provide responses to requests for information and analysis in support of global MD planning, operations, and sustainment. The Secretary of the Army signed an overarching memorandum of agreement between MDA and the Army establishing the conditions for the transition and transfer of capabilities to the Army. The overarching memorandum of agreement addresses GBIs, ground systems, AN/TPY-2 FBM system, and other systems. 7-34. MDA has provided limited material release for the Patriot, THAAD, AN/TPY-2 FBM systems, and GFC nodes which allows the Army to field these operational systems and focus entirely on operations. A limited material release allows MDA to maintain configuration control, determine the schedule for ongoing development, and assess upgrades for all global MD elements collectively based on the current OE. After limited material release, the Army is responsible for sustainment costs not associated with configuration control or upgrades. 7-35. Prior to deployment of any new or upgraded capability affecting Army forces, MDA provides a detailed briefing on the operational capabilities, limitations and in-AOR support requirements. The purpose of these briefings is to identify the actions required to integrate improved capabilities within the existing C2 and support infrastructure and to plan sustainment.

The glossary lists acronyms/abbreviations and terms with Army or joint definitions, and other selected terms. Where Army and joint definitions are different, (Army) follows the term. Terms for which FM 3-27 is the proponent (authority) manual are marked with an asterisk (*). The proponent manual for other terms is listed in parentheses after the definition.

Entries are by paragraph number, unless otherwise indicated.