Air Mobility Command Archives - Tapestry Solutions

US Air Force Selects Boeing to Sustain C2 Software Platform for Air Mobility Command

February 18, 2020

Boeing [NYSE: BA], through its subsidiary Tapestry Solutions, announced it has secured a five-year U.S. Air Force recompete contract to sustain and modernize the Global Decision Support System, or GDSS – the principal command and control (C2) software platform that supports global Air Mobility Command (AMC) missions.

GDSS helps mobility aircrews successfully plan and execute core missions, ranging from aerial refueling to strategic airlift, while providing a common operational picture for AMC and mission partners on a fully integrated platform. This enables Mobility Air Forces to rapidly move personnel and equipment – anywhere in the world within hours – and sustain troop support or relief operations as long as needed.

“We are honored to continue as AMC’s trusted partner on their cornerstone C2 program. We look forward to providing GDSS with additional capability to enable AMC to execute their critical mission more effectively and efficiently,” said Debbie Churchill, vice president, Mission Products and Services, Tapestry Solutions.

Tapestry Solutions, part of Boeing Global Services, has played a key role in the development, sustainment and enhancement of GDSS since 1992. Under the sustainment contract, GDSS will migrate to a cloud-hosted, DevOps environment while delivering uninterrupted services. In addition, next-generation software applications will be integrated with GDSS, capitalizing on the benefits of agile development and service-oriented architecture.

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As the top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries. Boeing employs more than 150,000 people worldwide and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.

Contact:

Janet Dayton
Boeing Global Services
janet.l.dayton@boeing.com

Published Feb. 18, 2020

‘CAT’ Mission Planning Software to Improve Accuracy for AMC Airdrops

May 27, 2019

For soldiers in remote war zones or natural disaster victims, the sight of a C-17 Globemaster dropping life-sustaining supplies is a welcome relief – unless the airdrop misses its target and lands in enemy territory. To help aircrews deliver loads with first-drop accuracy, Boeing Global Services’ software developers with Tapestry Solutions are modernizing the Consolidated Airdrop Tool (CAT) for the U.S. Air Force’s Air Mobility Command (AMC).

CAT development efforts are designed to improve the accuracy, speed and safety of AMC’s high-altitude precision airdrops tailored to the specific requirements of the C-17 and C-130 aircraft. CAT will support military airdrop missions of all types around the globe.

A C-17 Globemaster drops pallets of cargo in the South Pole as part of a proof of concept flight demonstrating its ability to withstand extremely harsh environments. Recipients were members of the National Science Foundation. (Air Force photo/Lt. Col James McGann)

The U.S. Air Force chose the Tapestry /Boeing team to lead the CAT development effort under a Mission Planning Enterprise Contract II (MPEC II) delivery order valued at $26 million. The contract calls for the enhancement of CAT versions over a four-year period utilizing the agile development methodology. The final delivery of primary capabilities is projected for September 2020.

How Does CAT Work?

CAT software enables mobility airmen to calculate and plot both conventional and precision airdrop solutions to accurately deliver supplies in remote, austere environments. The software is the mission planning and execution component of the Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) – a key aerial delivery capability for the U.S. military.

JPADS uses GPS-guidance systems, steerable parachutes and an onboard computer to steer the loads to a single designated drop zone. It enables the cargo to be released from multiple points to reduce the risk of enemy fire, taking into account factors such as weather, terrain, aircraft capabilities and threats.

JPADS includes a dropsonde, a type of probe that’s dropped prior to the cargo to measure wind conditions. CAT receives this data inflight on a laptop, and runs aircraft performance and weather algorithms to determine the best point of release.

Whether their dropping beans or bullets, mobility airmen have always faced uncertainty with precision airdrops. Oftentimes, aircrews only get one pass to make a drop, and there’s a lot that can go wrong. They must consider wind velocity, air pressure, payload mass and parachute drag, all of which can make or break an airdrop mission.

Thus, CAT development efforts will reduce uncertainty through advanced data and analytics. In addition to improving accuracy, the development efforts will provide greater automation inflight and workflow enhancements, including touch-screen capability utilizing Windows 10. This will minimize distractions caused by flight tasks in the cockpit, so aircrews can concentrate on the mission at hand.

Other improvements on the horizon include advanced algorithms for hazard/obstruction avoidance, weather assimilation capabilities and airdrop damage estimation. Support for newer parachute systems and configurations is in the works, along with software upgrades that would allow aircrews to drop heavier loads in higher altitudes to avoid threats on the ground.

CAT Development: Right on Target

Alongside teammates Jacobs Engineering and MORSE Corp, Tapestry/Boeing employees have been working tirelessly over the past year, advancing and testing the software to meet mission-critical deadlines. Their efforts are already paying off, earning Tapestry customer praise and a 100% incentive fee last month.

Business model and Information Technology concept for Service Oriented Architecture (SOA).

“We are thrilled to receive this incentive fee for delivering a quality product. It epitomizes our commitment to First Time Quality and trusted partnership with our customer,” said Debbie Churchill, Tapestry’s Vice President of Mission Products & Services.

The initial CAT development effort is focused on moving to a full service-oriented architecture (SOA) model. This layered SOA architecture will enable seamless data communication between devices. It will also allow developers to easily add new functionality and services in response to new and emerging requirements.

“Embracing this new architecture will provide greater adaptability of future iterations of development to address customer needs and ensure quality,” said Noel Kelly, CAT program manager for Tapestry Solutions. “It also will enable faster development and testing, so we can field critical software updates to the warfighter that can be leveraged as needed.”

CAT v6.1 is scheduled for delivery in August 2019 with fielding in December 2019. Future iterations will be delivered leveraging a full agile approach, allowing for continuous advancement of capabilities and immediate feedback from stakeholders each step of the way.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information
does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

Contact:

Janet Dayton
Boeing Global Services
janet.l.dayton@boeing.com

Tapestry Earns CMMI® Level 3 Recertification for Mission Planning Software

August 24, 2018

Demonstrating its commitment to quality and continuous process improvement, Tapestry Solutions announced it has maintained its Level 3 Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI®) certification for its Mission Planning software and services.

As a Boeing Company, Tapestry has achieved its CMMI Level 3 rating for the fourth consecutive time since 2009. The CMMI Institute-credentialed certifications are valid for three years.

Jens Pohl, VP of Engineering and Technology

“Achieving CMMI Level 3 recertification once again reflects our ongoing commitment to quality – and our passion to deliver best-of-breed solutions by meeting or exceeding the highest industry standards,” said Jens Pohl, Vice President of Engineering and Technology for Tapestry Solutions.

CMMI is a globally recognized certification and ratings system awarded to organizations that achieve the required standards for the planning, engineering and managing of the software development process.

Its compilation of best practices are designed to improve performance, enhance key capabilities and utilize critical business processes – while managing risks in software, product and service development.

Tapestry’s Mission Planning team has earned CMMI certification for all its programs and associated processes, including configuration management, software quality assurance and supply management.

Five levels of Maturity set standards and best practices for improved performance. An appraisal at Level 3 indicates that the organization is performing at a level in which processes are well characterized and understood, and are described in standards, procedures, tools and methods that are tailored to each program.

During the Level 3 recertification process, auditors reviewed 18 process areas and 12 best practice areas. A total of 216 areas require evidence for compliance using work products, meeting notes, logs, presentations, etc. These were followed by interviews with key players.

ABOUT TAPESTRY’S MISSION PLANNING SOLUTIONS
Tapestry Solutions is a leader in the development of mission planning software, services and solutions that provide the warfighter with fully integrated battlefield mission planning capabilities. We provide mission planning solutions for military aircraft including the F-15, F/A-18, F-22 and T-38 as well as weapons systems, bombers and unmanned air vehicles. Tapestry also develops software for the USAF Air Mobility Command’s Consolidated Airdrop Tool (CAT), and provides technical support services for the U.S. Navy’s TacMobile P8/P3/Triton ground station. Our technologies give warfighters the critical data they need to execute missions, including route planning, threat management and situational awareness.

Contact:
Janet Dayton
Marketing Communications
jdayton@tapestrysolutions.com
marketing@tapestrysolutions.com

Tapestry to Provide Ongoing Sustainment Support for USAF’s Air Mobility Command’s Planning & Scheduling System, or “CAMPS”

June 27, 2018

618th Tanker Airlift Control Center personnel provide command-and-control over Air Mobility Command missions supporting relief efforts in Haiti. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Justin Brockhoff)

With its long history of providing advanced mission planning solutions for the U.S. Air Force, Tapestry Solutions has been selected to support the USAF Air Mobility Command’s (AMC) Consolidated Air Mobility Planning System (CAMPS) for another five years. As a subcontractor to DPRA, Tapestry will provide software development, operations and training as follow-on to the CAMPS sustainment contract awarded in 2011.

CAMPS is a command-and-control (C2) system that enables effective planning and scheduling of airlift and tanker aircraft missions during peacetime, contingency, humanitarian and wartime operations. CAMPS provides the status of air mobility planning and scheduling activities, from initial tasking through mission completion.

The C2 system provides an integrated view of mobility requirements, resources and commitments using network-centric data solutions and a commercial off-the-shelf graphical interface. It helps ensure efficient allocation of aircrews and aircraft – a top priority for the AMC, which must meet increased global demands for airlift missions with less capacity and at lower cost.

In addition to the CAMPS effort, Tapestry is developing an advanced airdrop mission planning software tailored to AMC’s C-17 and C-130 military transport aircraft. As the prime contractor for this effort, Tapestry is upgrading software for the Consolidated Airdrop Tool, known as CAT, which is used to calculate and plot both conventional and precision airdrop solutions to accurately deliver supplies to warfighters in remote, austere environments.

Operating as a division within Boeing Global Services, Tapestry also provides mission planning solutions for military aircraft including the F-15, F/A-18, F-22 and T-38, as well as the Tomahawk missile, the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit, unmanned air vehicles and several other platforms. Drawing from decades of experience and the resources of the Boeing enterprise, Tapestry is committed to developing the next generation of mission planning technology.

A Humvee descends after it was released by Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft over Frida IV drop zone in Pordenone, Italy, Sept. 21, 2017. The Humvee is assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade. (U.S. Army photo by Paolo Bovo).

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information
does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

Contact:

Janet Dayton
Tapestry Solutions Inc.
Boeing Global Services
jdayton@tapestrysolutions.com

AMC’s Air Drop Missions & Santa Claus: What They Have in Common and Why Their Missions Matter

December 21, 2017

Santa is only a few days away from making his momentous, annual trek around the globe, visiting more than 1.6 billion households across 25 million habitable square miles, asserts Forbes. So how does Santa manage to get everything accomplished in time for the perfect Christmas morning? The answer is simple: Kris Kringle plans every detail to ensure he delivers the goods – with precision.

U.S. Air Force Illustration

Santa’s work at the North Pole is geared toward Christmas deliveries, but his mission is strikingly similar to that of the Air Mobility Command (AMC) – one of Tapestry Solutions’ significant customers. The commonalities between the two were highlighted in AMC’s open letter to Santa, authored by Col. Chris Karns, director of public affairs for the AMC at Scott Air Force Base. The letter went viral on social media prior to Santa’s journey around the globe.

Let’s take a closer look at what these major players have in common, and why it matters:

Both Deliver Hope and Goodwill on a Global Scale

Like Santa and his elves, the men and women with the AMC deliver hope and goodwill to millions around the planet. In 2017, expeditionary mobility airmen were in 77 locations around the world, performing tasks including refueling, airdrops, cargo hauling, presidential airlift and humanitarian relief missions.

Although they didn’t deliver toys, cookies and milk, the airmen delivered relief and support to those in need. During the devastating hurricanes in the Virgin Islands, for instance, the AMC’s 14^th Airlift Squadron delivered 129,000 pounds of food and water to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, in support of relief efforts after Hurricane Maria on Sept. 24. The airmen also delivered humanitarian aid to refuge camps around the world, feeding thousands of displaced men, women and children during joint operations.

“Whether we’re delivering beans and bullets, fuel at 25,000 feet, setting up a bare base at forward locations or bringing wounded to life-saving care … we deliver,” remarked Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, the AMC commander, during the AMC’s 2017 Wingman Day event at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

At the same time, the AMC delivered equipment and supplies to allied forces in the fight against ISIS – regular residents on Santa’s “Naughty List,” according to the letter. AMC aerial tankers flew more than 40 percent of United States Air Force (USAF) sorties in remote areas of the Middle East, hoping to make lives brighter for the good boys and girls in the region.

Like Santa, who delivers the right goods at the right time, the AMC must deliver with precision. The airmen often delver supplies to troops in austere conditions where there is inadequate or nonexistent roadways, treacherous terrain features, insurgent activity or other threats. During these missions, precision is critical to avoid collateral damage to civilian populace and property.

Both Must Ensure their Equipment is Well Maintained

As with Santa’s horse-drawn sleigh, AMC must keep its vintage aircraft properly maintained to perform their vital missions, year after year. USAF aircraft are 27-years-old on average, but most AMC aircraft are even older than that.

The KC-135 Stratotanker – the Air Forces’ main aerial refueler – averages 55 years of age. With an aging fleet, there is a decline in mission-capable rates. The Air Force Times reports that on any given day, only 7 in 10 USAF aircraft are ready to fly while aging aircraft are in the shop undergoing maintenance, upgrades and inspections.

The decline in mission-ready rates affects the AMC’s ability to move people, weapons, fuel and supplies, according to Brig. Gen. Stacey Hawkins, director of logistics, engineering and force protection for Air Mobility Command.

“When the mission-capable rates are lower … it affects the long-term readiness of our fleets, our ability to train our air crews, and it has a ripple effect that can take years to fix,” Hawkins continued.

To extend the life of its fleet, the AMC must rely on the support of the Air Reserve component by swapping or rotating aircraft. “Sharing and cooperating definitely deserves a nod on the ‘Nice List’ – Right Santa?” Karns remarked in his letter.

AMC’s Top Wish for 2018: A Stable and Predictable Budget

Furthermore, Karns said AMC’s top wish list for 2018 is a stable and predictable budget, because freedom comes at a cost. Lack of funding limits flying hours, and defers restoration and modernization requirements. It also impacts readiness, training and “the lives of people selflessly serving to deliver hope and relief to so many.”

“Resolving, in 2018, to get this right is a must,” said Karns, asking Santa to “help deliver messages of hope and keep in mind all service-members who are deployed this holiday season.”

“If you happen to need an airlift this holiday season,” he continued, “remember, the Air Force is always there ― ready to partner and get the job done.”

About the Air Mobility Command:

Air Mobility Command’s mission is to provide rapid, global mobility and sustainment for America’s armed forces. The command also plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian support at home and around the world. The men and women of AMC provide airlift and aerial refueling for all of America’s armed forces

About Tapestry Solutions

Tapestry Solutions, Inc. is a global provider of information management software and services for defense, government and commercial markets. Backed by our parent company, The Boeing Company, we provide mission planning, training and simulation support to maximize readiness for our warfighters. We also help solve logistics challenges for the world’s largest and most complex supply chains. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Tapestry supports customers from more than 50 locations worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Afghanistan, Kuwait, the UK, South Korea, Australia, Germany and Italy.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information
does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

Contact:

Janet Dayton
Tapestry Solutions Inc.
jdayton@tapestrysolutions.com

Recent AMC Contracts:

Tapestry Solutions Awarded $26 Million to Develop Advanced Airdrop Mission Planning Software for U.S. Air Force

Tapestry-Jeppesen Team Awarded $28 Million Contract to Provide VIP Executive Flight Dispatch Services for U.S. Air Force, Air Mobility Command

June 14, 2017

Tapestry Solutions, Inc., a Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) today announced it has received a contract worth more than $28 million to provide Executive Airlift Flight Dispatch services for the U.S. Air Force’s Air Mobility Command (AMC). Tapestry, the prime contractor, is teamed with Jeppesen, also a Boeing Company, to provide a full range of mission-essential services required for Very Important Persons Special Air Missions (VIPSAM). The contract includes a base year with four option years.

United States Air Force C-32A (military variant of Boeing 757-2G4) is among the covered aircraft used for VIP transport. (Photo credit: Sam Meyer via Wikimedia Commons.)

The Tapestry-Jeppesen team will support the Executive Airlift mission to provide safe, comfortable and reliable worldwide transportation for officials including the President of the United States, Vice President, First Lady, Cabinet leaders, members of Congress, senior military leaders and foreign dignitaries.

“We are honored to be selected for this high-profile program, as it underscores our trusted partnership with the U.S. Air Force to deliver timely, quality services to our senior-most leadership,” said Robin Wright, president and CEO, Tapestry Solutions.

Under the contract, the team will provide a comprehensive portfolio of flight dispatch services commensurate with existing commercial airline 24/7 world-wide operations. Tasks include tailored mission planning services, enroute flight monitoring, diplomatic clearances, weather assessments, navigation database management, training and ongoing technical support. The services will be performed for the Air Force’s “covered aircraft,” which include several Boeing platforms.

“Our team brings a depth of knowledge that is unparalleled in the industry, backed by Boeing’s expertise as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM),” said Kurt Meidel, director, Tapestry Solutions. “This opportunity combines the best of Tapestry as the go-to provider of operational support for AMC and the U.S. Transportation Command – and the best of Jeppesen with its depth of experience providing flight dispatch services for the U.S. Air Force.”

ABOUT TAPESTRY SOLUTIONS

About Jeppesen

For more than 80 years, Jeppesen has made it possible for pilots and their passengers to safely and efficiently reach their destinations. Today, this pioneering spirit continues as Jeppesen delivers transformative information and optimization solutions to improve the efficiency of air operations around the globe. Jeppesen is a Boeing subsidiary and part of the Digital Aviation business unit within Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. Boeing offers the industry’s largest portfolio of support and services solutions, providing customers a competitive advantage by solving real operational problems, enabling better decisions, maximizing efficiency and improving environmental performance – intelligent information solutions across the entire aviation ecosystem.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information
does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

Contact:

Janet Dayton
Tapestry Solutions Inc.
jdayton@tapestrysolutions.com

Published June 14, 2017

US Air Force Selects Boeing to Sustain C2 Software Platform for Air Mobility Command

‘CAT’ Mission Planning Software to Improve Accuracy for AMC Airdrops

How Does CAT Work?

CAT Development: Right on Target

Tapestry Earns CMMI® Level 3 Recertification for Mission Planning Software

Tapestry to Provide Ongoing Sustainment Support for USAF’s Air Mobility Command’s Planning & Scheduling System, or “CAMPS”

AMC’s Air Drop Missions & Santa Claus: What They Have in Common and Why Their Missions Matter

Both Deliver Hope and Goodwill on a Global Scale

Both Must Ensure their Equipment is Well Maintained

AMC’s Top Wish for 2018: A Stable and Predictable Budget

Tapestry-Jeppesen Team Awarded $28 Million Contract to Provide VIP Executive Flight Dispatch Services for U.S. Air Force, Air Mobility Command

U.S. HEADQUARTERS

Links

PRIVACY NOTICE