C4ISTAR

In military usage, a number of abbreviations in the format C^(x) followed by additional letters are used, based on expanded versions of the abbreviation C² - command and control.

C²I stands for command, control, and intelligence.

C³I stands for command, control, communications, 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 designated by C⁴ (command, control, communications, computers), I (military intelligence), and STAR (surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance) in order to enable the coordination of operations.^[1]

C⁴ISR is the similar term used by the U.S. military (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance).^[2]

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

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/C2/C&C (Command and control)
• C²IS (command and control information systems)
• C³ (command, control, and communications) [US DoD]
• C3 (consultation, command, and control) [NATO]
• C³I (command, control, communications, and intelligence)
• C⁴ (command, control, communications, and computers)
• C⁴IS (command, control, communication, computer, and intelligence simulator system)
• 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)
• C⁵ISR (command, control, communications, computers, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance)

Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance

ISTAR stands for Intelligence (information gathering), 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)

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.

See also

• Command and control#Derivative terms
• Artillery STA
• Battlespace
• Battle command
• Command center
• Fingerspitzengefühl
• Fog of war
• Network-centric warfare
• RSTA (U.S. Army)
• Intent (Military)

References

1. ^ Sloan, E., "Security and Defence in the Terrorist Era", McGill-Queen's University Press, Montreal, 2005; see Ch. 7 for C4ISTAR discussion.
2. ^ "Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms", Joint Publication 1-02, Department of Defense, 17 March 2009 [1]