C4ISR Architectural Frameworks in Coalition Environments

Abstract : The break-up of the Soviet Union unleashed a flood of nationalism throughout Southeastern Europe (SEE). Freed from the yoke of suppression, the nations of the region sought economic stability and security in a dramatically changing global environment. These nations are anxious to display Western leanings and to ensure national security through multinational regional coalitions. These coalitions, in turn, are being supported by a variety of national, NATO, and U.S. sponsored initiatives with the common goal of regional stability. Within the regions of the Pacific Rim, similar coalitions may emerge with similar goals to which the principles set forth in this paper will equally apply. The common thread through these SEE initiatives is the use of Information Technology (IT) to improve Command, Control, and Communications (C3) in a combined military/peace support domain. This paper proposes an IT-driven Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Architectural Framework approach to the integration of combat and peace support forces in regional coalition initiatives. Although the framework is applicable across the total C4ISR domain, only Command, Control, and Communications are relevant to the subject addressed in this paper and will be the term used throughout. Computers are assumed as a logical part of C3. This paper also proposes that this type of architectural approach is applicable to regional coalitions on a global basis.