Battlefield Automation: Software Problems Hinder Development of the Army's Maneuver Control System

Abstract

The goal of the Army's MCS program is to develop and field a computer system that provides automated critical battlefield assistance to maneuver commanders and their battle staff at the corps to battalion level. MCS is intended to enable the command staff to collect, store, process, display, and disseminate critical data to produce and communicate battle plans, orders, and enemy and friendly situational reports. It is a key component of the Army Tactical Command and Control System, which is also intended to enhance the coordination and control of combat forces through automated management of five key battlefield areas, including maneuver control. Given its role to communicate battle plans, orders, and enemy and friendly situation reports, MCS is also a key component of the Army's ongoing efforts to digitize (automate) its battlefield operations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA330521

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Application Software
  • Combat Forces
  • Command And Control
  • Command And Control Systems
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Contractors
  • Contracts
  • Control Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Performance Tests
  • Processing Equipment
  • Software Development
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test And Evaluation
  • United States

Readers

  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control