This is the third in a series of papers examining the possible evolution of military command and control (C2) in the future. This paper focuses on understanding C2 as a socio-technical capability that must be proactively cultivated and maintained across Defence, rather than as a set of individual activities focusing on enabling people and the enterprise to cope with complexity, as well as integrating technology across the C2 enterprise.

Command and Control in the Future

Concept Paper 3: Conceptualising C2 as a Capability

Conlan Ellis, Rebecca Lucas, Ben Fawkes, Martin Robson, Alan Brown, Edward Keedwell, James Black

ResearchPublished Jul 24, 2024

This is the third in a series of papers examining the possible evolution of military command and control (C2) in the future. This paper focuses on the importance of understanding C2 as a socio-technical capability that must be proactively cultivated and maintained across Defence, rather than as a set of individual activities. This entails Defence thinking more holistically about the various elements that constitute C2, spanning the Defence Lines of Development (DLODs). In particular, this paper looks at enabling people and the enterprise to cope with complexity, as well as integrating technology across the C2 enterprise.

Key Findings

  • Continuous learning and development are a key enabler for people across Defence to cope with complexity.
  • Collaboration and cooperation, including sharing lessons and information, are critical enablers for C2 as a capability.
  • Existing frameworks and recommendations from literature can be leveraged to help cultivate the necessary cultural and institutional change for C2 in the future.
  • Integrating technology to enable the C2 enterprise will involve tackling the challenges of digital transformation, delineating useful technologies for C2 transformation, and investing in integrating technology into both existing and new ways of working.

Topics

Document Details

  • Copyright: Crown copyright (under DEFCON 703)
  • Publisher: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web-Only
  • Year: 2024
  • Pages: 57
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.7249/RRA2476-3
  • Document Number: RR-A2476-3

Citation

Chicago Manual of Style

Ellis, Conlan, Rebecca Lucas, Ben Fawkes, Martin Robson, Alan Brown, Edward Keedwell, and James Black, Command and Control in the Future: Concept Paper 3: Conceptualising C2 as a Capability. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2024. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA2476-3.html.
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This research was prepared for the Development Concepts and Doctrine Centre and conducted by the Defence and Security Program within RAND Europe.

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