General Dynamics [GD] C4 Systems recently announced it has been awarded $21 million to add Internet-like capabilities to the Marine Corps’ Combat Operations Centers (COCs), the focal point of decision-making for deployed Marine commanders and their staffs.
Through this effort, General Dynamics will upgrade the COCs’ electronic systems to increase Marines’ situational awareness and information sharing abilities, and improve network connectivity across the tactical battlespace. The contract being modified was awarded in 2002; the total value to date is $643 million.
Identified as the COC Model G, the new system will facilitate sharing of mission rehearsal and execution information among other Marine Corps Combat Operations Centers and joint forces partners. The system will enable services such as electronic ‘chat,’ email and VoIP communications. General Dynamics will also migrate existing hardware-based command and control, tactical data systems and other applications to software-driven services using the Marine Corps’ service-oriented infrastructure.
Manny Mora, vice president and general manager for Battle Management Systems for General Dynamics C4 Systems, said, “This effort begins the transition of the Marine Corps Combat Operations Center from a hardware-based system to a secure, software-enabled command and control system that will also facilitate rapid integration of new technologies as they become available.”
The COC Model G is also part of the Marine Corps’ initiative to become compliant with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Net-Enabled Command Capability (NECC). NECC enables Internet-like access to joint tactical networks and information that reaches across the battlespace and worldwide.
COCs are currently supporting operations at the battalion, squadron, regiment, group and Marine Expeditionary Brigade levels in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries.