Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4)
Abstract
This activity investigates robust, resilient, and secure networked communications pathways and capability that support an expeditionary force's distributed and disaggregated operations. Research supports both networked and local computation for communications that exploits the expeditionary forces close physical proximity to threats while mitigating shortfalls commiserate within denied, degraded, intermittent, or limited (DDIL) communications environments. Expeditionary forces must operate in the cyber domain and in addition to defending communications networks, vehicles, and weapons systems, are reliant on electronic controllers for basic operations and as such are susceptible to cyber attacks. Technologies addressed within this activity include secure, robust, self-forming, mobile communications networks; distributed computing to support information dissemination to all echelons; improved capabilities in over-the-horizon, beyond line-of-sight, and restricted environment communications and sensors; and software and data processing to support formation of an appropriate common picture. Other efforts include power management, low detectability, conforming to size, weight, power, cost constraints, and interoperability within the joint environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 5af74299ec4bc5653e0e5085d3c75a3c