C4ISTAR

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The correct title of this article is C4ISTAR. It features superscript or subscript characters that are substituted or omitted because of technical limitations.
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C2I stands for Command, Control and Intelligence.

C4I stands for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and (military) Intelligence.

C4ISTAR is the British acronym used to represent the group of the military functions defined by C4 (Command, Control, Communications, Computers), I (military intelligence) and STAR (Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) in order to enable the coordination of operations.

C4ISR is the similar term used by the U.S. military (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance).

C4ISTAR and its related terms can be used to refer to infrastructure, a role of military units or individuals, or procedures employed.

Contents

[edit] Command, Control and Communications

Command and control refers to the ability of military commanders to direct forces. The addition of Communications to the grouping reflects the fact that communications is required to enable this coordination. In modern warfare, computers are also a key component. The common variations of this acronym are:

  • C²/C&C (Command and Control)
  • C²IS (Command and Control Information Systems)
  • C³ (Command, Control and Communications)
  • C³I (Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence)
  • C4 (Command, Control, Communications and Computers)
  • C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance)
  • C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence)
  • C4I² (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence and Interoperability)
  • C5I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat systems and Intelligence)

[edit] Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance

ISTAR is for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance. It describes methods of observing the enemy and one's area of operations. Variations on this include:

  • I (Intelligence)
  • S&R (Surveillance and Reconnaissance)
  • RSTA (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition)
  • STA (Surveillance and Target Acquisition)
  • STAR (Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance)
  • ERSTA (Electro-Optical Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition)
  • STANO (Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Night Observation)
  • ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance)

[edit] C4ISTAR

Many subsets of these elements are used, or have been used in the past, as acronyms. These include:

  • C³ISTAR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Reconnaissance)
  • C³ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance)
  • C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance)
    • C4ISR: The Journal of Net-Centric Warfare is also the name of a journal published by the DefenseNews Media Group.

The term "C4ISTAR" is so clumsy and alien to ordinary speech it may lead to decreased understanding than a single plain-English term used with ellipsis, such as "command" or simple "C3I" - here the understanding that all elements in C4ISTAR feed back into effective (or ineffective) command. So if you talk about "command requirements" this can connote ALL open-ended requirements for effective command - including (actual) command, control, communications, computer, surveillance, public relations (et cetera, et cetera). See also ellipsis.

[edit] See also