Battle Command Software: Meeting the Commander's Needs

Abstract : Over the past twenty-plus years the Army has invested heavily in automating its command and control information systems. The automation of this information known as digitizing the battlefield is currently deployed woddwide supporting commanders and staff at the tactical operational strategic level. Battle command systems are also unable to provide situational understanding to the fidelity required for a hostile and adaptive enemy the United States faces today. A different capability set is needed to support the commander's ability to balance the art and science of battle command to achieve situational understanding. These deployed information systems have significant interoperability flaws that inhibit effective command and control. The intent of this paper is to analyze Army Battle Command Systems capability and prominent parallel battle command software developments utilizing Department of Defense Net-Centric enablers as well as Joint and Army Battle Command doctrine and present suggestions for future development effort.