Command and control

{{short description|Military exercise of authority by a commanding officer over assigned forces}} {{other uses}} [[Image:CIC-USS-CarlVinson-2001.jpg|thumb|A watchstander at her station in the combat information center of USS ''Carl Vinson'' in 2001]] {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}} {{war}} '''Command and control''' (abbr. '''C2''') is a "set of organizational and technical attributes and processes ... [that] employs human, physical, and information resources to solve problems and accomplish missions" to achieve the goals of an organization or enterprise, according to a 2015 definition by military scientists Marius Vassiliou, David S. Alberts, and Jonathan R. Agre.<ref name="Vassiliou_C2Future_2015">{{cite book |last1=Vassiliou |first1=Marius |last2=Alberts |first2=David S. |last3=Agre |first3=Jonathan R. |title=C2 Re-Envisioned: The Future of the Enterprise |publisher=CRC Press |location=New York |date=2015 |page=1 |isbn=978-1-4665-9580-4 |url=https://www.crcpress.com/C2-Re-envisioned-The-Future-of-the-Enterprise/Vassiliou-Alberts-Agre/p/book/9781466595804 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802135408/https://www.crcpress.com/C2-Re-envisioned-The-Future-of-the-Enterprise/Vassiliou-Alberts-Agre/p/book/9781466595804 |archive-date=2019-08-02 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Re-conceptualizing Command and Control |journal=Canadian Military Journal |date=Spring 2002 |pages=53–63 |volume=3 |number=1 |author1=Ross Pigeau |author2=Carol McCann |url=http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vo3/no1/doc/53-64-eng.pdf |access-date=1 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131120065217/http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vo3/no1/doc/53-64-eng.pdf |archive-date=20 November 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Versions of the United States Army ''Field Manual 3-0'' circulated circa 1999 define C2 in a military organization as the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commanding officer over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of a mission.<ref name="Army_FM3-0_2001">{{cite book |author=Headquarters, Department of the Army |title=FM 3–0, Operations |date=2001-06-14 |publisher=GPO |location=Washington, DC |oclc=50597897 |url=http://155.217.58.58/cgi–bin/atdl.dll/fm/3-0/fm3-0.exe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020219134603/http://155.217.58.58/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/3-0/fm3-0.exe |archive-date=2002-02-19 |url-status=dead |format=PDF inside ZIP |access-date=2013-08-19 |quote=para 5-2. Newer versions of FM 3-0 do not define Command and control, even though they use the term extensively.}}</ref><ref name="RAND_CommandConcepts_1999">{{cite report |last1=Builder |first1=Carl H. |last2=Bankes |first2=Steven C. |last3=Nordin |first3=Richard |title=Command Concepts – A Theory Derived from the Practice of Command and Control |publisher=RAND |date=1999 |id=MR775 |isbn=0-8330-2450-7 |url=https://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/2006/MR775.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002035632/http://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/2006/MR775.pdf |archive-date=2012-10-02 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref>

A 1988 NATO definition is that command and control is the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated individual over assigned resources in the accomplishment of a common goal.<ref>{{cite book |title=Modelling Command and Control: Event Analysis of Systemic Teamwork |author1=Neville Stanton |author2=Christopher Baber |author3=Don Harris |publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. |date=1 January 2008 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=chqJM48ZBBkC |access-date=15 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517064757/https://books.google.com/books/about/Modelling_Command_and_Control.html?id=chqJM48ZBBkC&redir_esc=y |archive-date=17 May 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all |author1-link=Neville A. Stanton |isbn=9780754670278 }}</ref> An Australian Defence Force definition, similar to that of NATO, emphasises that C2 is the system empowering designated personnel to exercise lawful authority and direction over assigned forces for the accomplishment of missions and tasks.<ref name=ADDP001>{{cite web |title=ADDP 00.1 Command and Control |date=27 May 2009 |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |pages=1–2 |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/adfwc/Documents/DoctrineLibrary/ADDP/ADDP_00_1_Command_and_Control.pdf |access-date=1 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214093126/http://www.defence.gov.au/adfwc/Documents/DoctrineLibrary/ADDP/ADDP_00_1_Command_and_Control.pdf |archive-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The Australian doctrine goes on to state: "The use of agreed terminology and definitions is fundamental to any C2 system and the development of joint doctrine and procedures. The definitions in the following paragraphs have some agreement internationally, although not every potential ally will use the terms with exactly the same meaning."<ref name=ADDP001/>

==Overview==

===US perspective=== The US ''Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms''<ref name="DoD_Dictionary">{{cite web |url=http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/dod_dictionary/ |title=Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms |website=dtic.mil |publisher=United States Department of Defense |access-date=2026-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010194329/http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/dod_dictionary/ |archive-date=2016-10-10 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref> defines command and control as: "The exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission. Also called C2. Source: JP 1".<ref name="DoD_C2_Def">{{cite web |url=http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/dod_dictionary/data/c/3226.html |title=Command and control |website=dtic.mil |publisher=United States Department of Defense |access-date=2026-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629002310/http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/dod_dictionary/data/c/3226.html |archive-date=2011-06-29 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref>

The edition of the ''Dictionary'' "As Amended Through April 2010" elaborates, "Command and control functions are performed through an arrangement of personnel, equipment, communications, facilities, and procedures employed by a commander in planning, directing, coordinating, and controlling forces and operations in the accomplishment of the mission."<ref name=JP12010>{{cite book|last1=Joint Chiefs of Staff (U.S.)|title=Joint Publication 1-02. Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms (As Amended Through 31 January 2011)|date=8 November 2010|entry=Command and Control|page=65|url=http://ra.defense.gov/Portals/56/Documents/rtm/jp1_02.pdf|access-date=3 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918211120/http://ra.defense.gov/Portals/56/Documents/rtm/jp1_02.pdf|archive-date=18 September 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> However, this sentence is missing from the "command and control" entry for the edition "As Amended Through 15 August 2014."<ref name=JP12014>{{cite book|last1=Joint Chiefs of Staff (U.S.)|title=Joint Publication 1-02. Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms (As Amended Through 15 August 2014)|date=8 November 2010|entry=Command and Control|page=44|url=http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/new_pubs/jp1_02.pdf|access-date=3 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824034254/http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/new_pubs/jp1_02.pdf|archive-date=24 August 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Commanding officers are assisted in executing these tasks by specialized staff officers and enlisted personnel. These ''military staff'' are a group of officers and enlisted personnel that provides a bi-directional flow of information between a commanding officer and subordinate military units.<ref name="crumley90">{{cite book |last1=Crumley |first1=Lloyd M. |last2=Sherman |first2=Mitchell B. |title=Review of Command and Control Models and Theory |date=September 1990 |publisher=United States Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences |location=Fort Leavenworth, KS |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA230105.pdf |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319213837/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA230105.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

The purpose of a military staff is mainly that of providing accurate, timely information which by category represents information on which command decisions are based. The key application is that of decisions that effectively manage unit resources. While information flow toward the commander is a priority, information that is useful or contingent in nature is communicated to lower staffs and units.{{citation needed|date=March 2014}}

===Computer security industry=== {{Main|Command and control (malware)}} This term is also in common use within the computer security industry and in the context of cyberwarfare. Here the term refers to the influence an attacker has over a compromised computer system that they control. For example, a valid usage of the term is to say that attackers use "command and control infrastructure" to issue "command and control instructions" to their victims. Advanced analysis of command and control methodologies can be used to identify attackers, associate attacks, and disrupt ongoing malicious activity.<ref name="CommandFive_C2_2012">{{cite techreport |author=Command Five Pty Ltd |title=Command and Control in the Fifth Domain |url=http://www.commandfive.com/papers/C5_APT_C2InTheFifthDomain.pdf |date=February 2012 |publisher=Command Five Pty Ltd |website=commandfive.com |access-date=2026-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227035957/http://www.commandfive.com/papers/C5_APT_C2InTheFifthDomain.pdf |archive-date=2012-02-27 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref>

==Derivative terms== There is a plethora of derivative terms that emphasize various aspects, uses, and sub-domains of C2. These terms are accompanied by numerous associated abbreviations. For example, in addition to C2, command and control is often abbreviated as C2 and sometimes as C&C [[File:Embraer R-99 6750 (9502952605).jpg|thumb|Embraer R-99 MULTI INTEL, an example of aircraft with C3I capabilities]]

"Command and control" have been coupled with: * Collaboration * Communication / communications * Computers / computing<ref> * (Military) intelligence * Information / information systems

In modern warfare, computers have become a key component as cyberspace is now seen as "the fifth domain of warfare" – refer: {{cite book |author=Clarke, Richard A. |title=Cyber War |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2010}} and<br> {{cite journal |url=https://www.economist.com/leaders/2010/07/01/cyberwar |title=Cyberwar: War in the Fifth Domain |journal=Economist |date=1 July 2010 |access-date=23 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207071347/http://www.economist.com/node/16481504?story_id=16481504&source=features_box1 |archive-date=7 December 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} </ref> * Electronic warfare * Interoperability * Reconnaissance * Surveillance * Target acquisition

and others.

{{anchor | CC | cc code | code || CC terminology}} Some of the more common variations include: * C2I – command, control & information<ref>[http://www.dtic.mil/ttcp/groups.htm TTCP Groups] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605074328/http://www.dtic.mil/ttcp/groups.htm |date=5 June 2011 }}, www.dtic.mil/ttcp/</ref> * C4, C4I, C4ISR, C4ISTAR, C4ISREW, C4ISTAREW – plus computers (technology focus) or computing (human activity focus)<ref name="DoD_JP1-02_2009">{{cite book |author=Joint Chiefs of Staff |title=Joint Publication 1-02: Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms |date=2009-03-17 |publisher=United States Department of Defense |url=http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/new_pubs/jp1_02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081123014953/http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/new_pubs/jp1_02.pdf |archive-date=2008-11-23 |url-status=dead |format=PDF |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Sloan_Security_2005">{{cite book |last=Sloan |first=E. |title=Security and Defence in the Terrorist Era |publisher=McGill-Queen's University Press |location=Montreal |year=2005 |chapter=7 |language=en}}</ref> * C6ISR – command, control, communications, computers, cyber-defense and combat systems and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/936468/000093646820000016/lmtq4201910k.htm | title=The 2019 Annual Report of Lockheed Martin Corporation | publisher=the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | date=February 7, 2020 | access-date=28 June 2020 | archive-date=28 June 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628204543/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/936468/000093646820000016/lmtq4201910k.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> * NC2 − nuclear command and control and others. :Command: The exercise of authority based upon certain knowledge to attain an objective. :Control: The process of verifying and correcting activity such that the objective or goal of command is accomplished. :Communication: Ability to exercise the necessary liaison to exercise effective command between tactical or strategic units to command. :Computers: The computer systems and compatibility of computer systems. Also includes data processing. :Intelligence: Includes collection as well as analysis and distribution of information.

==Command and control centers== <gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> File:Soviet command ship SSV-33.jpg|The Soviet nuclear-powered command and control naval ship SSV-33 ''Ural'' in 1988 File:US Navy 040616-N-3725R-009 Joint Operations Center watch standers review the latest battle assessment.jpg|Joint Operations Center watch standers aboard the command ship USS ''Mount Whitney'' in 2005 </gallery> A '''command and control center''' is typically a secure room or building in a government, military or prison facility that operates as the agency's dispatch center, surveillance monitoring center, coordination office and alarm monitoring center all in one. Command and control centers are operated by a government or municipal agency.

Various branches of the US military such as the US Coast Guard and Navy have command and control centers. They are also common in many large correctional facilities.

A command and control center that is used by a military unit in a deployed location is usually called a "command post".<ref name="PEOC3T_CommandPost_2010">{{cite web |author=US Army PEO C3T |title=Project Manager, Command Posts |website=peoc3t.monmouth.army.mil |publisher=United States Army |access-date=2026-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511155756/http://peoc3t.monmouth.army.mil/cp/cpsi_cpp.html|url=http://peoc3t.monmouth.army.mil/cp/cpsi_cpp.html |archive-date=2010-05-11 |url-status=dead |language=en}}</ref> A warship has a combat information center for tactical control of the ship's resources, but commanding a fleet or joint operation requires additional space for commanders and staff plus C4I facilities provided on a flagship (e.g., aircraft carriers), sometimes a command ship or upgraded logistics ship such as USS ''Coronado''.

==Command and control warfare== Command and control warfare encompasses all the military tactics that use communications technology. It can be abbreviated as C<sup>2</sup>W. An older name for these tactics is "signals warfare", derived from the name given to communications by the military. Newer names include information operations and information warfare.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Exploiting Electronic Warfare |last=Larson |first=Doyle E. |author-link=Doyle E. Larson |date=1981-07-01 |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/0781electronic/ |magazine=Air & Space Forces Magazine|publisher=Air & Space Forces Association|access-date=2025-01-26}}</ref>

The following techniques are combined: * Cyber operations with the physical destruction of enemy communications facilities. The objective is to deny information to the enemy and so disrupt its command and control capabilities. At the same time precautions are taken to protect friendly command and control capabilities against retaliation.

In addition to targeting the enemy's command and control, information warfare can be directed to the enemy's politicians and other civilian communications. * Electronic warfare (EW) * Military deception * Operations security (OPSEC) * Psychological operations (PSYOP) * Psychological warfare

'''Other''' * Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technologies

== References == === Citations === {{Reflist}}

=== Sources === {{refbegin}} * {{DODDIC}} * {{FS1037C}} {{refend}}

==External links== {{Wiktionary}} {{Commons category}} * [https://www.college.police.uk/app/operations/command-and-control/definitions-and-procedures Command and control definitions and procedures], UK College of Policing * [https://internationalc2institute.org/ International Command and Control Institute] * [http://www.dodccrp.org/files/Alberts_UC2.pdf ''Understanding Command and Control''] by D. S. Alberts and R. E. Hayes (2006)

Category:Command and control Category:Military terminology Category:Military science Category:Military organization