The Air Force Distributed Common Ground System is a worldwide, network centric system of fixed and deployable, scalable and modular ground station components that provide multi-source intelligence data to the warfighter. The system employs a concept of data distribution, information sharing, and collaborative work centers. AF DCGS is part of the overall DoD DCGS architecture and consists of core locations, remote sites, and a robust dissemination system. The Communications Modernization solution will be used to replace the current legacy ATM network throughout the AF DCGS enterprise. The current legacy ATM network successfully transports serial sensor bitstreams, non-serial imaging sensors bitstreams (both stills and full motion video), and imagery (full and motion), voice, avionics bitstreams, and data as received from reconnaissance aircraft aloft overseas to various AF DCGS sites, where processing takes place. Following successful processing, products are commonly sent over IP networks to consumers. The IP networks used to transport products to consumers is not being replaced.

The goal is to allow the AF DCGS enterprise to take advantage of emerging high-speed deterministic technologies to meet the requirements of moving very large amounts non-processed bitstreams in real-time, with extremely low bit error rates, and with deterministic (fixed latency, precision-timed -latency) capabilities using a converged network topology