Created by Maritime Professionals for Maritime Professionals
Vision
We provide today's warfighter the tools vital to formulate modern-day practical decisions in battle, instilling confidence, and the tactical awareness to win.
Mission
"Empowering Warfighters of the Information Age."
Why we exist
Dream it.
It all began with a desire to change how distributed maritime professionals discover and securely interact with locally provisioned software services, retrieve authoritative mission data, and leverage Machine Learning (ML) models while operating at the tactical edge.
Build it.
Proven Agile development methods and DevSecOps pipelines reduce software development lifecycles to the speed of relevance. Accelerating integration and delivery of innovative features like software-defined tactics, actionable data sets, and ML models, are what today’s fleet operators need.
Deploy it.
Fleet users know that software updates for legacy workstations can take years to release and distribute. Through our DevSecOps pipeline updates to our mobile apps and companion Tactical Edge services, along with refreshed mission-oriented data sets and refined ML models, take a fraction of that timeline.
The 1950’s era Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS) was the forerunner to today’s maritime computer-based systems. Whereas each shipboard NTDS can operate in complete isolation, interaction between distributed NTDS enabled units – even intermittently, enhances distributed situational awareness. Such is the case when operating at the “Tactical Edge”. Our team members have had the opportunity to operate different NTDS implementations at-sea, along with follow-on command and control (C2), and mission planning solutions used across the US Navy.
Prior to the founding of GMW, our team members contributed to the research, design, development, integration, testing, and maintenance of modern-era software-based solutions used within the US Navy. This involvement included contributions to various embedded solutions carried aboard manned and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), including the Mission Control System (MCS) for the MQ-4C Triton UAS. We not only know how these systems work but what it takes to transition an operational concept into an operational capability.
“In future crises and conflicts, the side that adapts faster and demonstrates the greatest agility – to include rapidly updating and promulgating fielded software and AI models – is likely to gain a significant competitive advantage.
For the United States to retain its dominant position in the future – which is not a guaranteed outcome – the DOD needs a new design and architecture that will allow it to be far more flexible, scale on demand, and adapt dynamically to changing conditions.
The only way for the DOD to stay competitive in this new warfighting environment is to ensure that it uses the most potent weapon available: technology, and more specifically, software.”
Recognizing the challenges of updating legacy systems to respond to emerging fleet needs, GMW embraced a “Tactical Edge” strategy, both in the development and deployment of Tactical Edge Mobile Apps and Services.
While the mobile app movement has dramatically changed how we interact as a global society, the emergence of mobile apps specifically designed to address operational and tactical needs is just now taking shape. The forthcoming Cryptologic Electronic Warfare Support (CrEWS)® mobile app is our initial Electronic Kneeboard (EKB) offering to the fleet.
Similarly, distributed cloud-native services are making their way onto US Navy ships through the Consolidated Afloat Network Enterprise Services (CANES) program. While these Operational Edge computing capabilities leverage ruggedized higher-end computing resources similar to those found in commercial cloud computing offerings, a complementary class of smaller and power-efficient Tactical Edge computing capabilities are needed for rapid deployment aboard fixed wing and rotary wing maritime aircraft, or carried by tactical warfighters on the move. Our IoT-based Tactical Edge Gateways (TEGs) are designed to fill these emerging needs.
What we do
Software Engineering
We specialize in the research, design, development, testing, integration, and fielding of innovative Mobile Apps, Tactical Edge computing devices, and cloud-native infrastructure services.
Systems Integration
To reduce end-user workload our mobile apps integrate information updates provided by authoritative data sources. Additionally, our apps are capable of integrating organically collected content (data, or information) including geospatial and navigational information, mission planning files, and live sensor streams (think Tracks, Contacts, Still and Motion Video).
Training
Our founders have a significant amount of time at sea, in the air, at schoolhouses, and at fleet training commands. We leverage this experience as we work alongside those engaged in the development/refinement of companion training materials - we plan to have available through a touch of a button.
How we do it
Having clear intent on Why we were doing this, and What needs to be done, we set out to find the right blend of professionals to overcome the How.
Looking back, it's easy to say that the driving factors behind our “Tactical Edge” strategy was shaped by operational experiences you can only gain At-Sea. Fortunately, others recognized this strategy's value as they also sought ways to extend the value of legacy systems/subsystems aboard their ships or aircraft.
For instance, the decision by the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to deploy light-weight/energy-efficient tablet computers - called Electronic Kneeboards (EKBs), as an innovative extension to their Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) Program of Record (PoR) was necessary to address operational needs of naval aviators. PMA-281’s rapid acquisition of Apple iPads and the companion ForeFlight mobile app set the stage for future tactical edge applications. Our CrEWS® mobile app - also available on iPads, is an example of the next generation of innovative capabilities focused on maritime war-fighting professionals operating at the tactical edge.
Similarly, Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Command - now the Naval Information Warfare (NAVWAR) Systems Command, deployed CANES capabilities to extend computing and network access to legacy systems/subsystems sailors interact with aboard ships. Our power efficient CrEWS® Gateway builds upon the successful deployment of CANES. Unlike rack-mounted power-hungry CANES computing resources, portable CrEWS® Gateways are capable of securely servicing Tactical Edge users everywhere they might go.
Efforts to build and demonstrate Two (2) Engineering Development Model (EDM) implementations of our CrEWS® Gateway are already underway. The first EDM is battery-powered to address highly mobile user information needs. In contrast, the second (and slightly larger) EDM is designed to meet the needs of personnel operating aboard maritime aircraft and ships not equipped with CANES.
Containerized CrEWS® Gateway services leveraging mutual Transport Layer Security (mTLS) protocols to ensure that Zero Trust (ZT) security mechanisms are available to secure the exchange of commands and data with our CrEWS® mobile apps. A innovative feature of the CrEWS® Gateway is how it can provide a secure ZT boundary between mobile operators and tactical edge sensors/systems operating aboard their host ship/aircraft.
Our founders charted a course based on their maritime experience and a desire to change how software and data were developed and delivered to naval warfighters. Each of our Tactical Edge platforms is built upon emerging technologies and proven engineering practices aligned with delivering tactically actionable products (software and data) to maritime warfighters at the speed of relevance - worldwide.
If you are looking for a team willing to push the envelope, and reshape the future of distributed maritime operational capabilities, give us a closer look