Modeling and Simulation Integration with Network-Centric Command and Control Architectures

Network Centric Command and Control operations postulate that the more information we can collect, create, and share about the adversary, the operational environment, our capabilities, readiness, and logistics, the more we can focus our capabilities to produce desired effects with less risk of unintended consequences and more efficient expenditure of national resources. The critical role of the Global Information Grid (GIG) Enterprise Services (GES) in an integrated, net-centric, Joint Command, and Control System (JC2) architecture can not be understated. JC2 requires new capabilities and C4I architectures will require transformation from hierarchical, distributed, broadcast systems based on the tactical data systems of the 1970’s. This migration to an information sharing and dissemination system will need to include both a hierarchical (to accommodate military C2 doctrinal functions) and a peer to peer ability to share and access information and functionality between all levels in the Command and Control system. This new capability is required to enable sharing of unprocessed or uncorrelated raw data with selected users on demand, and allow distributed the functionality of advanced collaborative planning, coordination and decision support applications. Further, with this advanced information flow and accessibility, intrinsic C4 applications to enable "sense making" of information overload and for tailoring a C4 node to a specific purpose or role become apparent. This new role for C4I requires applications traditionally found in the Modeling and Simulation community of interest. They must be integrated into real-time Network Centric C4I and will perform an important function in the enhanced capabilities of the JC2 Joint C4I system of the future. This paper discusses classes of M&S based C4I applications that support the net-centric requirements of the JC2, how the GES will include intrinsic Modeling and Simulations services to support such applications, and the parallel technologies that can benefit both the C4I and M&S communities of