C4ISR Imperatives -- Cornerstones of a Network-Centric Architecture

Abstract

Network-centric operations are military operations that fully exploit the availability of "universal" connectivity. Much discussion of network-centric operations focuses on envisioning future applications of the connectivity. These future applications are a confederation of pieces, not a single unit. The prerequisite for fielding these pieces is an in-place network-centric architecture that can support their implementation. SSC San Diego has identified seven command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) imperatives that represent command capabilities needed by military forces. Network-centric architecture requires effectively achieving five of these imperatives. This paper argues the importance of these five, and suggests the value of building technologies to enable these imperatives. This approach allows clearer understanding of the application of technology while assuring consistency with the end objective of network-centric operations. SSC San Diego has identified a set of seven command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) imperatives. These imperatives represent command capabilities that have been needed by military forces throughout history and are expected to continue to be needed in the future. While the imperatives are time-independent, the degree to which they can be achieved depends upon available technology. The imperatives are as follows: Dynamic Interoperable Connectivity, Universal Information Access, Focused Sensing and Data Collection, Consistent Situation Representation, Information Operations Assurance, and Resource Planning and Management.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2001
Accession Number
ADA434121

Entities

People

  • Clancy Fuzak
  • James W. Aitkenhead
  • Mary Gmitruk
  • Tom Mattoon
  • Victor J. Monteleon
  • William L. Carper

Organizations

  • Naval Information Warfare Systems Command

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Command And Control
  • Computers
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Engineering
  • Information Operations
  • Information Processing
  • Information Systems
  • Information Transfer
  • Military Operations
  • Network Centric Warfare
  • Organizational Structure
  • Reconnaissance
  • Surveillance
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Unmanned Vehicles
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Cybersecurity.
  • Distributed Systems and Data Platform Development
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

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