C2 of Space: The Key to Full Spectrum Dominance

Abstract : The Air Force Research Laboratory's Information Directorate (AFRL/IF) has a long and distinguished history of providing Command and Control (C2) technologies for the Air Force and the Department of Defense as "Rome Air Development Center" and "Rome Laboratory." As part of the reorganization that created the Air Force Research Laboratory in 1997, AFRL/IF was tasked to provide Information Dominance technologies to the warfighter. These critical aerospace technologies are the cornerstone to moving C2 capabilities into the next millennium. AFRL/IF's vision encompasses a three pronged approach to applying C2 to achieve Full Spectrum Dominance, anytime and anywhere. Conceptually, the three prongs are Global Awareness, Dynamic Planning and Execution, and Global Information Exchange. To achieve the vision, AFRL/IF has formed six Integrated Technology Thrust Programs (ITTPs) that apply C2 principles allowing the future Battle Manager's control of the battlespace. The first five ITTPs come under AFRL's Information Dominance thrust area: Configurable Command Center, Dynamic Command and Control, Consistent Battlespace Picture, Defensive Information Warfare, and Global Grid. The sixth ITTP, Real-time Sensor-to-Shooter, falls under the Precision Strike thrust area. This paper provides a brief background regarding Information Dominance and provides the goals, capabilities, and technologies required for each of the six ITTPs.