GSE Support to Resolute Dragon 2

In June 2022, the Global Systems Engineering (GSE) Warfighter and Homeland Integration (WHI) team supported the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) named Resolute Dragon 2 (RD2) at Aberdeen Proving Grounds (APG) MD.

In June 2022, the Global Systems Engineering (GSE) Warfighter and Homeland Integration (WHI) team supported the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) named Resolute Dragon 2 (RD2) at Aberdeen Proving Grounds (APG) MD. RD2 illustrated how integrated CBRN S&T Technologies provided Integrated Early Warning (IEW) and Integrated Layered Defense (ILD) to promote CBRN decision-making in Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) operations. RD2 included Warfighters from the United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, and United States Navy who participated as role players to test several developmental tools.

ATDs are JTF scenario-based experiments where Warfighters interact with novel, integrated, DTRA S&T CBRN Defense technologies aligned to their prioritized future operational needs.  From that engagement, Warfighters provide feedback on the operational utility of the technologies to the DTRA STM technology managers to optimize and accelerate capability development and to facilitate capability transition within the Chemical Biological Defense Program to advanced development and fielding.

JADC2 is a concept to connect sensors, battle space awareness tools, and decision support tools from the Department of Defense (DoD) military services into a unified interoperable network providing effective decisions at the speed of relevance in an increasingly complex and assimilated operational battle space.

RD2 showed how CBRN sensor data collected at the tactical edge can fit into and inform overarching service JADC2 constructs by demonstrating three main points. First, how CBRN data collected at the tactical edge can generate a CBRN Common Operating Picture (COP) that can inform higher echelon decision-making environments and joint service built JADC2 solutions. Second, the role S&T Technologies play in creating this CBRN COP through an interoperable data format and set of messaging protocols based on the Integrated Sensor Architecture (ISA) standard. Third, how S&T CBRN Technologies are not just enablers of mission execution but can also play a key role in mission planning significantly reducing risk by allowing for CBRN based COA identification and prioritization. GSE/WHI provided organizational support, including scenario development, event planning, briefings, event setup, feedback collection, and specialized subject matter expertise.

RD2 was comprised of two pieces: Mission Planning and Mission Execution.

The Mission Planning Phase included demonstrating how CBRN based decision support tools and medical countermeasures (MCMs) influence mission planning Course of Action (COA) development, prioritization, and selection.  GSE/WHI developed a scenario which provided a dynamic representation of conflict for Warfighters to make CBRN informed decisions and respond to their consequences. They worked closely with MIT LL during their further development of MEURIADS and DEMASQ to better fit Warfighter’s needs by hosting several dry runs to gain feedback from the Services before participants saw these technologies during the RD2 event. GSE/WHI also worked closely with the US Naval Surface Warfare Laboratory to build scenarios in MAST and utilize this tool as a land-based scenario builder rather than a nautical-based program, as it was designed. Furthermore, they worked closely with DTRA RD CBS/CBI representatives to coordinate which MCMs would be demonstrated and how to best include EpiGrid in a scenario. Highlights included demonstrating how MCM capabilities and CBRN Modeling and Simulation tools work through a decision support framework to inform mission planners.

The Mission Execution Phase took COA planning outputs from the Mission Planning Phase and used them to conduct a Joint-Service, scenario-based mission. Using a real-world, multi-echelon C2 construct, RD2 generated a CBRN based COP using exemplar S&T technologies and provided injects into envisioned, Service-developed, JADC2-compatible solutions. GSE/WHI helped support this piece by gathering Warfighter feedback, keeping Warfighters engaged and on-task, and helping coordinate between Warfighters and the technology developers. Highlights in this phase included Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)/Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) operations and simultaneous USAF adaptive-basing operations. Technologies in this Phase demonstrated how CBRN data flows and integrates with service COP systems.

The RD2 demonstration culminated in a Distinguished Visitors (DV) day where more than 100 Senior Leaders, Service Representatives, S&T Managers, and allies (UK, AUS, and Canada) from across the CB community participated. DV day included technology demonstrations, candid feedback from the service members and interactive Q&A sessions between the attending guests and participating US active duty service members. GSE/WHI briefed and provided setup support for this event.

GSE is proud to have been involved in such a great event. We look forward to providing the same high level of effort to all of our customers.

Would you like to work with GSE?

We look forward to hearing from you!

Contact Us

“Begin With the End in Mind.”

– Leonardo Da Vinci

Other Pages

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved.

Sean Nolan

Director, On-Site Integration

Sean has over 20 years of experience supporting the US Government at the Federal and Local levels in research and development and transitioning research to operations.  Through his 15+ years supporting the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Chemical and Biological Technologies Department, he has worked on various Advanced Technology Demonstrations (ATD) such as the Interagency Biological Restoration Demonstration (IBRD), Trans-Atlantic Biological Resiliency Demonstration (TACBRD), and Integrated Early Warning program.  He has extensive experience in DoD business and acquisition practices.  Sean also served as program lead for the Biowatch Exercise and Evaluation Program in support of the Department of Homeland Security and as logistics coordinator for the 9/11 Rescue and Recovery efforts at the World Trade Center for the New York City Office of Emergency Management.  Sean holds a Master of Science from Saint Louis University and a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Military Academy. He is a retired Air Force Weather officer who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded 2004 Air Force Reserve Weather Officer of the Year.  Lastly, Sean served as on-air meteorologist for KMIZ-TV (Columbia, MO) and KDNL-TV (St. Louis, MO).

Randy Thur

Director of Cooperative Engagement

Randy has been supporting and facilitating federal government science integration efforts since 2004.  He has had the pleasure of working throughout the U.S. government where he spent years gaining experience in domestic and international CBRN threat reduction, foreign partner capacity building, test and evaluation, and interagency coordination at organizations such as DOS, HHS, DTRA, DIA, and DHS. Here he has gained extensive experience being the technical lead and program manager of multiple civilian and military interagency efforts focused on facilitating CBRN preparedness and response through large-scale system studies, operational exercises, targeted research and development projects, and advanced technology demonstrations. Internationally, he has led overseas operational efforts in CBRN foreign consequence management in addition to leading CBRN threat reduction efforts focused on building cooperative CBRN surveillance systems, biosafety and biosecurity standards, and global health security capacities and capabilities for U.S. foreign partners.  Randy holds an engineering degree from North Carolina State University, a graduate certificate from Geroge Mason, and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.

Stephen “Gibs” Gaboriault-Whitcomb

Director, Warfighter and Homeland Integration

Gibs has over 25 years of experience in the CBRN Defense arena including operations, plans, assessment, exercise planning/execution, demonstration event planning/execution, training, and advising DoD, DHS, and other government agencies. His 20 years in the US Air Force as a Bioenvironmental Engineer included assignments with a Weapons of Mass Destruction – Civil Support Team, USSTRATCOM Center for Combating WMD, and several base-level tours where he led his teams on multiple real-world emergency responses. He has been a key player in Advanced Technology Demonstrations (ATDs) such as the Transatlantic Collaborative Biological Resiliency Demonstration (TaCBRD) as a Warfighter and in the Perceptive Dragon and Resolute Dragon series of ATDs as a lead planner/executor. He has also directly supported the BioDetection for the 21st Century (BD21), BioWatch, and Non-Traditional Sensor Technology Assessment (NSTA) programs as well as Chemical Biological Operational Analysis (CBOA) events. Gibs holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.

Mike Midgley

Chief Operating Officer / Chief Financial Officer

Mike has over 20 years of experience in program management and technical support primarily in Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense. He has led science and technology master integration efforts for the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security and other organizations to develop or enhance warfighter and first responder capabilities. Some of the programs he has managed include: BioNet, Interagency Biological Restoration Demonstration (IBRD), Wide Area Recovery and Resiliency Program (WARRP), Transatlantic Collaborative Biological Resiliency Demonstration (TaCBRD), Integrated Early Warning (IEW), Texas Panhandle Regional Planning Commission Regional Resiliency Assessment Program, and the Organization of American States biological incident response workshop and exercise program.  He holds a Master’s in Business Administration from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Naval Academy. He is a retired Navy Captain who served as a Surface Warfare Officer in several operational and shore commands.

Steve Jennings

President and Co-Founder

Steve has over 30 years of experience supporting government and industry in the areas of engineering/science, design, operations, program management, strategic communication, planning, and outreach. He has been a Project and Task manager for numerous programs conducted within DTRA Chemical Biological (CB) including Contamination avoidance for military mail (CAFMM), Biological Defense Initiative (BDI), BioNet, WMD-CST, Interagency Biological Restoration Demonstration (IBRD), and the Joint Service Installation Pilot Project (JSIPP). He was also the technical manager for over eight major chemical demilitarization projects/programs conducted throughout the United States. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech.