Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity

The All-domain Electromagnetic Radio Operator Trainer (Aero-T) started as the subject of Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) thesis work by Marine Corps Maj. Will Oblak and Capt. Niles Moffat. This research identified a need across the service for improved Electromagnetic Spectrum Signature (EMSS) training at the tactical level. Brought to life through a collaboration between the Marine Corps Software Factory (MCSWF) and Marine Corps Tactical System Support Activity (MCTSSA), AeroT is a 3-component system that allows any Marine Corps unit to see their EMSS in real time through an Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) client. AeroT uses commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components to scan EMSS and mimic the capabilities of our near-peer adversaries and is used to facilitate this training in a small and affordable form factor that can be utilized at any level of training. In less than a year, MCSWF and MCTSSA took Oblak’s thesis research and created the hardware and software necessary to make AeroT possible.

Spearheaded by Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA), the MAGTF C2 Prototype (MCP) has been designed and developed to meet the ever-evolving challenges of the modern battlefield. This advanced and critical C2 capability is now in the hands of 11 units, located throughout the world, and is set to be employed in real-world exercises. The MCP is a follow-on effort from the MAGTF C2 Minimum Viable Product effort in FY24. It is the output of tasks from the Marine Corps’ Force Design Annual Update, whereby the service tasked CD&I to “develop a minimum viable product that combines the capabilities of air C2 Family of Systems (FoS) and ground C2 FoS. These products will deliberately integrate into USINDOPACOM’s Joint Fires Network for immediate experimentation.” The MCP is designed for echelons IV and below providing a scalable, flexible, and tailored C2 capability.

Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA) is at the forefront of engineering and evaluating the systems that keep our Marines connected and lethal at the tactical edge. MCTSSA’s prototyping efforts showcase where we have been, where we are today, and where we are heading. Previous prototype successes like the Dynamis Mesh Kit, which enhanced resilient edge communications has led us to today's prototype, the MAGTF Command and Control Prototype. The MCP, demonstrates how we are actively solving today's operational challenges to make Marines more capable.