MCES - A tool for integrating technology into Navy battle groups

Abstract

The U. S. Navy daily continues to deal with Battle Force Command and Control (C2, or C3 or C3I) issues. These issues arise from improving the performance of existing C2 elements including technologies that will enable existing as well as future Battle Groups to improve mission performance. These initiatives have generally been tied to the acquisition cycle, viewed broadly to include operation test and evaluation (OT&E) and interoperation issues. This paper presents the results of an application of the Modular Command and Control Structure (MCES) as a tool for integrating electro-optic (EO) technology into Navy Battle Force C2 systems. The MCES identifies appropriate measures of performance (MOPS), measures of effectiveness (MOEs), and measures of force effectiveness (MOFEs) for use in evaluating EO technology for inclusion into C2 systems. These measures are firmly tied to a C2 Process Model. which is also described. The MCES makes explicit the functionality of the C2 system being evaluated; conse­quently, it indicates points of integration for new technologies such as EO. Improved Battle Force performance, resulting from integrated EO technology, is a function of how and where the technology is integrated into the C2 system. This paper presents the results of the work done to date.