Intelligent C2 Information Technology

Present day and future joint warfare will increasingly demand rapid processing and transfer of data for Command and Control (C2). Improved capabilities to take this data and effectively utilize it for decisions is critical. Commanders need to obtain and use timely battle space information to make informed decisions. While capabilities for Air Force C2 has seen some technology improvements in recent years, there still remains a considerable number of legacy systems designed towards independent commands and missions. The C2 system can still be characterized as data-rich, but information poor. A better way of integrating operations, and providing consistent, tactically relevant, accurate, and timely information across commands and services is needed. The real challenge is not just having access to diverse data sources, but in being able to effectively process, analyze and interpret this data to form information, and ultimately knowledge for use in the C2 decision process. Intelligent C2 information technology will enable the Air Force to manage and control its information flows in a manner that is faster, more efficient, and more precise than that of our adversaries. The Research and Development community is currently working a number of technology areas which will have an impact on C2 as we know it today. This paper will present an overview of some of these initiatives. It will look at some of the technology products coming out of these programs and identify areas where current and future intelligent information technology could be utilized within the C2 decision making process.