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Army Digitization Master Plan '96

3. INTEROPERABILITY FRAMEWORK

In support of the National Military Strategy, the DII Master Plan provides an overarching strategy for DoD C4I implementation. Within the DoD framework, the C4I for the Warrior concept guides all the Services towards a common, global, C4I warfighting vision.

3.1 C4I For the Warrior

The Joint Staff developed the C4I for the Warrior concept as an interoperability objective derived from joint operational requirements. C4I for the Warrior envisions a widely distributed user-driven infrastructure in which the warrior plugs–in to obtain information from secure and seamlessly integrated computer and communications systems. Key features of the concept are:

All four Services have implemented a framework to overcome the challenges of joint interoperability by synchronizing C4I programs with the C4I for the Warrior concept. Each Service's strategy is focused on achieving interoperability through strict adherence to the technical architecture standards established by DoD.

The resulting strategy frameworks are called The Army Enterprise Strategy for the Army, Copernicus…Forward for the Navy, Horizon ‘95 for the Air Force, and Sea Dragon for the Marine Corps.

3.2 Enterprise

Enterprise synchronizes Army digitization programs with the C4I for the Warrior concept, sound business practices, and the DII Master Plan while focusing on the information needs of the Army as a whole. It addresses the Army's requirements to organize, train, and equip the digitized force; unique requirements as a component of a joint or multinational force; and the functional requirements for sustaining the force from both a logistical and business perspective.

Enterprise is comprised of the following ten principles:

• Focus on the Warfighter. Provide the warfighter with systems meeting validated needs.
• Ensure Joint Interoperability. Provide the warfighter with interoperable C4I systems for joint and multinational operations.
• Capitalize on Space-Based Assets. Provide the warfighter with assured access to mission-essential military and commercial space-based systems that support the Force Projection Army across the entire operational continuum.
• Digitize the Battlefield. Provide the warfighter with an integrated digital information network that supports warfighting systems and assures command and control decision-cycle superiority.
• Modernize Power Projection Platforms. Provide the warfighter with a modern power projection platform to support peacetime operations, training, mobilization, force projection, split-base operations, and redeployment.
• Optimize the Information Technology Environment. Provide the warfighter with more efficient information support for combat and peacetime operations.
• Implement Multi-level Security. Provide the warfighter with the ability to access and exchange information at needed levels of classification using a single C4I system.
• Ensure Spectrum Supremacy. Provide the warfighter with electromagnetic spectrum supremacy in order to better visualize the battlespace while blinding or shaping an opposing commander’s vision.
• Acquire Integrated Systems Using Commercial Technology. Provide the warfighter with synchronized C4I capabilities that leverage commercial technology.
• Exploit Modeling and Simulation. Provide the warfighter with cost-effective training, testing, and rapid prototyping through state-of-the-art M/S.

3.3 Copernicus

Copernicus and its update, Copernicus...Forward, focus on fielding systems that provide rapid access to essential data, allowing the decision-making process to migrate from upper echelons down to the lowest tactical commander. A goal of Copernicus is to create the conditions for a true sensor-to-shooter environment.

Emerging Navy and Marine Corps doctrine moves naval operations from the open seas into the constrained littoral regions, requiring a fundamental shift in C4I requirements. Reduced reaction times, combined with increasingly capable land-based threat weapons, makes full integration of C4I and Combat Direction Systems (CDS) a critical objective. Copernicus is accomplishing this integration by prescribing the interfaces between C4I systems and the CDS. These interfaces depend on common standards and protocols for transfer of data between the systems.

The Joint Maritime Command Information System (JMCIS) represents the first major step in fielding Copernicus. It links command and control systems into functional categories and creates an environment for all Services to field interoperable systems with common user interfaces. JMCIS forms the first kernel of GCCS.

Five essential elements of Copernicus provide architectural oversight to leverage the C4I infrastructure effectively and enhance the operational perspective:

As an interactive framework of pillars, Copernicus links the command and control processes of the warfighter at all echelons of command. The pillars of Copernicus include:

• The Global Information Exchange System (GLOBIXS), which supports joint and multinational tactical commanders by providing access to required information from any location through a series of wide area Defense Communications System (DCS) networks.
• The Commander–in–Chief (CINC) Command Complex (CCC), which serves as the primary gateway for communications and information flow from GLOBIXS to forward deployed warfighters. The CCC performs command and control, correlation, and fusion functions. A commander’s decision-making capability with a focus on rules of engagement and operational intent is included. Battlespace decisions are made by the tactical commanders and their shooters.
• The Tactical Data Information Exchange Systems (TADIXS), which are the tactical networks connecting the CCCs with the Tactical Command Centers (TCCs). These tactical networks fall into four general categories: command, direct targeting, force operations, and support. TADIXS provide enhanced digital communications links to the shooters' combat systems within the Copernicus infrastructure, enabling user-pull functionality and enough computer power and bandwidth to receive and process tactical information.
• The TCC, which disseminates information to the warfighter. The TCC can be any forward deployed command center—ashore or afloat, mobile or fixed—and includes tactical centers for individual units. Employing Tactical Digital Information Links (TADILs), TCC is the gateway for information flow between TADIXS, the shooter, and the weapons.
• The Battlecube Information Exchange System (BCIXS), which extends the architecture to include the battlecube, the area in which shooters and weapons reside. The battlecube is a conceptual, multi-dimensional area that includes subsurface, surface, air, and space as the environment for conducting warfare, similar to the joint concept of battlespace. BCIXS represents the battlecube in which tactical forces operate, with fluid boundaries defined by the dynamics of the battle. Shooters operating in the battlecube form the operational nodes in the BCIXS.

3.4 Horizon

The first version of Horizon focused on Air Force information architectures by advancing the premise of an integrated and responsive global infosphere supporting Air Force Global Reach, Global Power objectives. The second version expands on the original concept by establishing an Air Force vision for 21st Century C4I infrastructure and for enabling the integration of information technology. Included in Horizon is the Communications Squadron 2000 initiative, which redesigns the C4 force structure for deployed wings and base support infrastructure. The C4 capabilities deployed with combat wings will plug into joint networks in the theater, accessing the infosphere and providing commanders with real-time information on demand.

The Horizon vision will be achieved through compliance with a standards-based information architecture, rapid assimilation of technology, common sense plans and policies, forward-looking vision, and sound resource management.

Horizon envisions the warrior exercising command and control using a user-transparent common operating environment of distributed, collaborative planning, and smart push-pull information facilities. Knowledge-based C4I systems will foster the ability to push designated information to the user while simultaneously permitting the user to pull additional information from the digital environment as needed.

Horizon recognizes the information realm as a new mission area. To achieve superiority in this new dimension, commitment is required by all echelons of command to field new technologies, provide training, and develop the required support structure. Technology advances, shrinking defense budgets, and force reductions dictate the need to incorporate high leverage information technology into every aspect of military operations.

3.5 Sea Dragon

Sea Dragon is a futuristic concept for a smaller, more lethal Marine Corps of the 21st Century. The Corps will remain closely allied with the Navy, with primary mission focus on littoral operations and enabling missions as an early-deploying component of a joint task force. The 21st Century Corps will operate at a greater width and depth on the battlefield, maximizing the use of supporting arms to disrupt and destroy the enemy. Small independent units with improved targeting and C2 will apply firepower-based tactics employing indirect fires and air-to-ground delivery systems, rather than traditional close-with-and-destroy maneuver-based tactics. Sea Dragon will be heavily reliant on sea-basing of fire support, logistics, and C2 assets.

The future Fleet Marine Force (FMF) will retain a semblance of the current structure with an Air Combat Element (ACE), a Ground Combat Element (GCE), a Combat Service Support Element (CSSE), and a Command Element (CE). However, the FMF will be smaller, lighter, more mobile, and more versatile. In the Sea Dragon FMF:

The Sea Dragon concept places maximum emphasis on intelligent and highly educated Marines, improved simulation-based training, and integrated battlefield application of modern technology. Current plans call for deploying an operational Sea Dragon Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in early 1998.