Rescue 21
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Rescue 21 is an advanced maritime computing, command, control, and communications (C4) system designed to manage communications for the United States Coast Guard.
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[edit] Overview
Rescue 21 is designed to be more robust, reliable, and capable than the legacy system by using a modern radio system coupled with a TCP/IP network, and digital communication using VoIP.
To address the limitations of the current communications system, the National Distress and Response System (NDRS), the Coast Guard has implemented a major systems acquisition program entitled Rescue 21.
Rescue 21 enables the Coast Guard to perform all missions with greater agility and efficiency. The new system will close 88 known coverage gaps in coastal areas of the United States, enhancing the safety of life at sea. The system's expanded system frequency capacity enables greater coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, as well as other federal, state and local agencies and first responders.
When completed, this vital major systems acquisition will provide an updated, leading-edge Very High Frequency – Frequency Modulated (VHF-FM) communications system, replacing the National Distress Response System installed and deployed during the 1970s. Rescue 21 will cover more than 95,000 miles of coastline, navigable rivers and waterways in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and Puerto Rico.By replacing outdated legacy technology with a fully integrated system, Rescue 21 provides the Coast Guard with upgraded tools and technology to protect the nation’s coasts and rescue mariners at sea.
Rescue 21 was designed and is supported by General Dynamics C4 Systems out of Scottsdale, AZ.
[edit] NDRS Technology
The National Distress and Response System (NDRS) was established more than 30 years ago as a VHF-FM-based radio communication system that has a range of up to 20 nautical miles along most of the U.S. shoreline. While this system has served the Coast Guard well over the years, it consists of out-of-date and non-standard equipment with many limitations. These include:
No direction finding capability. Numerous geographic communication's coverage gaps. Limited interoperability with other emergency response services. Single-channel radio operation, which prohibits the ability to receive multiple radio calls.
[edit] Rescue 21 Technology
Rescue 21 will provide the United States with a 21st century maritime command, control, and communications (C3) system that encompasses the entire United States. By replacing outdated technology with a fully integrated C3 system. Rescue 21 improves over NDRS with the following enhancement: interoperability,direction-finding equipment with 2 degrees accuracy, enhances clarity of distress calls, allows simultaneous channel monitoring, upgrades playback and recording feature of distress calls, reduces coverage gaps, and supports Digital Selective Calling
[edit] Timeline
High-level history and timeline of the Rescue 21 program.
- 1970s - National Distress System (legacy system) is installed to receive and respond to VHF distress calls.
- May 1994 - The Mission Analysis Report is completed. This document states the needed requirements and capability gaps of the legacy coastal communications system.
- July 1995 - The Mission Need Statement is approved. The approval of this document provides formal acknowledgement that a materiel solution is required to address the capability gaps.
- July 1995 - The acquisition project is chartered as the National Distress and Response System Modernization Program (NDRSMP).
- December 1997 - Morning Dew accident. Validated the need for a new VHF-FM system for the Coast Guard.
- August 2000 - Phase I contract awards to SAIC, Lockheed Martin, and Motorola.
- January 2001 - General Dynamics buys Motorola.
- November 2001 - Phase I contractors demonstrate that their designs meet critical functions.
- September 2002 - General Dynamics awarded Phase II contract.
- September 2002 - NDRSMP changed to Rescue 21.
- March 2003 - Work started at Group Atlantic City NJ.
- August 2005 - Project Resident Office stood up in Scottsdale, Arizona.
- September 2005 - The Disaster Recovery System is deployed to Louisiana in response to Hurricane Katrina.
- November 2005 - First rescue attributed to Rescue 21 from Group Eastern Shore, VA.
- December 2005 - Coast Guard officially accepts the Rescue 21 system at New Jersey and Eastern Shore, Virginia.
- December 2006 - Sectors Seattle and Port Angeles, WA officially accept system.
- August 2007 - Project Resident Office stood up in Juneau, Alaska.
- January 2008- Coast Guard officially accepts the Rescue 21 system at Staten Island, New York.
- February 2008- Coast Guard officially accepts the Rescue 21 system at Jacksonville, Florida.
[edit] Miscellanea
The name Rescue 21 is a reference to taking the Search out of Search and Rescue, while meeting the Coast Guards 21st century mission.
[edit] References
- [1]. Rescue 21 Overview. URL accessed on 18 May 2006.
- [2]. Rescue 21 Timeline. URL accessed on 18 May 2006.
