The role of strategic planning in the evolution of command and control systems

This thesis examines the role that strategic planning plays in the evolution of Command and Control (C2) systems by defining both C2 and strategic planning and showing the interfaces between them. It goes on to show how the view of the threat in the years to come influence the implementation of C2 systems. Furthermore, the author challenges the traditional strategic thought on threat assessment which views the threat primarily as a massive Warsaw Pact attack on Central Europe or an all-out Soviet nuclear attack. The future threat, projected ten to twenty years out is examined and expanded to include more likely scenarios the U.S. military may face including: drug trafficking, low intensity conflict in the Persian Gulf, and ballistic missile proliferation. From these emerging threats, the author recommends what C2 system technology the Department of Defense (DOD) should pursue. ; http://archive.org/details/theroleofstrateg1094530700 ; Captain, United States Air Force ; Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.