Architecture principles for information superiority in future command and control systems

This is the final report from the System Architecture project. The project takes a long-range perspective and its purpose is to investigate prerequisites for a successive change of focus towards a network-based technical and system architecture for future Swedish Command and Control systems during the next two decades. In this report, as in the prestudy report from 1998, the concept of evolutionary system development is used to denote the vision of a methodological and technological approach. This would enable the gradual extension and modification of the functions of the command and control system, in step with chances in requirements and as new technical solutions become available. The report presents methodological and software technology approaches which we consider particularly important to achieve the required flexibility. The report also claims that the concept of Model Based Battle Command should be adopted as the basis for a necessary gradual integration of command and control, sensor, and C2 simulation systems. A starting point for much of our discussion is the frequently expressed need for a common operational picture. We point out that this concept should be understood, not as a veritable picture, but as a metaphor which encompasses all potentially useful and collectible state information about own and enemy forces, as well as estimated or calculated threats and opportunities associated with a given situation. The methods and the technology presented were selected because they should offer good opportunities to create such a complex system of systems which will form the backbone of the future C2 system. Some of the technical solutions we present, among them the mediator technology, do not yet exist as mature products. We describe, however, only such technology which exists either as established products and standards or as well-tested research prototypes.