UNMANNED TACTICAL AUTONOMOUS CONTROL AND COMMAND (UTACC) COMMAND AND CONTROL (C2) FRAMEWORK

Abstract

The Marine Corps is on the path toward the full-scale adoption of unmanned automated and semi-automated assets. These platforms will affect everyone in the chain of command—from the squad leader on the hilltop, to the platoon commander on patrol, and to the battalion operations officer overseeing all battlefield elements. Since warfare will remain an intrinsically human endeavor, the introduction of machines on the battlefield requires teamwork at all levels to ensure success on the killing fields of the future. The integration of these assets into Marine Corps operations demands robust human-machine teaming (HMT) for the Corps to maintain its competitive advantage. Every operation the Marine Corps has in its repertoire will require varying levels of HMT as more unmanned aerial and ground assets are fielded. While all the Marine Corps’ warfighting functions will be impacted by these assets, the command and control (C2) function demands immediate attention. The authors of this thesis introduce a C2 framework that will help the Marines on the deck and in the operations cell make the right call in the HMT decision-space. The framework is grounded in the precepts of C2, cognitive load theory, and most importantly, interdependence. Additionally, the authors conduct a knowledge-value added (KVA) analysis to showcase the value added by the revolutionary technology in the re-engineering of familiar Marine Corps processes.