By Ann Roosevelt
QUANTICO, Va.–General Dynamics’ [GD] C4 Systems Marine Corps’ Combat Operations Centers (COC) are fielded in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the new Model G is on display here at Modern Day Marine Expo.
The mobile, modular, command and control centers are designed to support Marines wherever they are needed. COCs consist of tents, trailers, radios, power and environmental generation, and visual displays, all integrated into a single command and control capability.
The Marines recently selected the GD C4 Systems-designed new COC Model G as part of the engineering baseline to provide coordination, collaboration and web services for the new Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S), company officials said.
The new COC Model G (CapSets III and V) is showing Marines the coordination, collaboration and web services available to tactical forces from regiment to below company level. These COCs use the Command Post of the Future (CPOF) and other equipment to illustrate collaboration among Marines and joint forces and commanders inside the COC.
The demonstration is also using the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Handheld, Manpack and Small Form Fit (HMS) Rifleman Radios (AN/PRC-154), as well as the vehicle mounted Tactical Communications Node (TCN) and Soldier Network Extension (SNE) systems. TCN and SNE are currently part of the U.S. Army’s Warfighter Information Network–Tactical (WIN-T) system, officials said.
A separate business unit, General Dynamics Information Technology, recently was awarded a five-year; $86.2 million contract to provide field-level sustainment services and technical support for equipment and networks for the Marines’ COC program. Each operations center comprises a network of workstations and servers supporting standard Tactical Data Systems and other mission-critical software.
“General Dynamics is dedicated to providing the U.S. Marine Corps and other COC stakeholders with functional COCs for warfighting effectiveness and readiness whenever and wherever they fight,” Tom Kirchmaier, senior vice president of General Dynamics Information Technology’s Intelligence Solutions Div., said in a statement. “We understand the importance of sustaining field communications and will work tirelessly with commanders and staff to support that mission.”
The work will be done in Camp Lejeune, N.C.; Camp Pendleton, Calif.; Kaneohe, Hawaii; Okinawa, Japan; and Southwest Asia.