War planning system getting upgrade

U.S. Strategic Command has selected two vendors to compete during the first phase of the Strategic War Planning System Modernization, an effort to enhance the way the Defense Department develops, plans and executes war plans.

The system will assess a given situation and present DOD decision-makers with potential courses of action. For each option, the war planning system will determine the probability of success, potential collateral damage, cost, timing and other details. Military officials can then execute one of the options, or change the planning parameters to see a new set of options based on different requirements.

The initial $1.1 million contracts, which were awarded May 2, are for the first of the two-phase program. Under the seven-month Phase 1 contract, Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Corp. will conduct risk mitigation efforts for Phase 2, which is a development and support contract worth an estimated $85 million and will be awarded early next year.

In Phase 2, the selected contractor will define, develop and implement the Strategic War Planning System, which will be used to plan and coordinate for all of Stratcom's mission areas, including nuclear deterrence, global strike, missile defense, and information operations. Work is being done at Stratcom headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., as well as at contractor facilities.