The US military's Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems, while the best in the world, are nevertheless operating well below their full potential. Stove-piped systems make it difficult-and sometimes impossible-to collect, analyze, and disseminate critical threat and operations information or obtain a complete, single view of the battlefield. Defense leaders struggle to address these issues, but find themselves hampered by acquisition processes that inadvertently perpetuate the problems.

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2. The Challenge
The U.S. military’s Command, Control, Communications,
Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnais-
sance (C4ISR) systems, while the best in the world, are
nevertheless operating well below their full potential.
Stove-piped systems make it difficult—and sometimes
impossible—to collect, analyze, and disseminate critical
threat and operations information or obtain a complete,
single view of the battlefield. Defense leaders struggle
to address these issues, but find themselves hampered
by acquisition processes that inadvertently perpetuate
the problems.
This challenge stems largely from the mindset that
requires a C4ISR systems design to meet narrowly
defined, specific mission requirements. Though very well
suited to their intended purpose, these systems lack the
inherent ability to share information or interoperate
seamlessly with systems outside their mission space. As
opportunities and requirements for collaboration grew,
these systems expanded and morphed through modifica-
tions, typically by the original equipment manufacturers
(OEMs) that built them using proprietary technology.
The propriety-systems approach is an efficient way to
achieve the original objective. However, because each
C4ISR system was developed in relative isolation, each
has its own unique infrastructure, operating-system
software, software services (e.g., security, reporting),
data, and custom mission-specific software. Moreover,
as operators fielded these systems and increasingly
integrated them into military operations, expectations
and demands on the systems grew significantly. The next
logical step was to pursue options to integrate after the
fact. Unfortunately, as the efforts to better connect the
individual systems expanded, the challenges inherent
to using proprietary systems surfaced.
A Better Approach
Warfighters and the organizations that support them
need “integrated C4ISR,” in which individual pieces are
designed as part of an enterprise system from the start.
Although OEMs can integrate and upgrade their
proprietary systems after deployment, the costs are
high and the capabilities still fall short of the seamless
interoperability required for contemporary warfighting
missions. Moreover, the complex interfaces used to
integrate stove-piped systems can create vulnerabilities
that degrade security.
Five major features comprise an integrated C4ISR system:
• government-owned open architectures and
standardized interfaces
• agile, incremental delivery of modular systems
with integrated capabilities
• collective forums that bring together operators,
acquisition professionals, and engineers to support
agile development of solutions tailored to operational
and technical requirements
• designed-in cybersecurity to infuse solutions with
organic, unified, and multilayered defense
• enterprise-oriented culture
Acquiring integrated C4ISR requires a new approach,
one we call Enterprise Integration. Enterprise Integration
brings together three major disciplines and their commu-
nities: engineering, operations, and acquisition. Programs
will need enhanced capabilities in all three areas to build
integrated C4ISR on a foundation of open architectures,
agile development, modular construction, and common
hardware, software, data, and infrastructure.
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3. Although Enterprise Integration requires news skills
and expertise, it does not require a wholesale reform of
acquisition rules or processes. In fact, it is consistent with
the thinking of top defense and military leaders and has a
highly successful record of accomplishment in a number
of current C4ISR programs. The required adjustments in
acquisition and programmatic policies, processes, and
leadership are levers that are already available to
mission-critical programs such as C4ISR.
The Benefits of Integrated C4ISR
C4ISR systems operating as part of an overall network
benefit the defense enterprise in many ways. Enterprise
Integration will enable rapid insertion of new technologies
while stimulating innovation and expanding the industrial
base. It will also help government and military organiza-
tions build and deploy C4ISR systems that can share and
analyze large quantities of sensor and intelligence data,
quickly and easily, using secure, interoperable networks
and communications.
Developers make interoperability part of the design from
the outset, while enforcing standards across all C4ISR
programs. This approach allows vendors to plug innova-
tive solutions into the common infrastructure. It also
facilitates agile development, making new technologies
easier to incorporate into developing systems. Enterprise
Integration also provides numerous mechanisms for
bringing together operators and engineers to ensure that
the systems are user-friendly and built to meet opera-
tional needs. This approach significantly strengthens
security as well because, like interoperability, it is built
into the system, rather than bolted on after deployment.
Acquisition costs drop over time due to greater
efficiencies in technology insertion, component reuse,
and system integration. Overall, adopting an integrated
C4ISR approach will help develop and field systems
that improve situational awareness and decision-making,
offering warfighters unmatched superiority over current
and future threats.
The Path Forward
C4ISR is a weapons system that works best when
integrated. Enterprise Integration builds systems in which
interoperability, technology insertion, operator insight,
and security are inherent characteristics of agile and
efficient acquisition processes. In taking on the responsi-
bilities of an Enterprise Integrator, acquisition organiza-
tions will need to expand their capabilities in the areas
of engineering, operations, and acquisition.
Budget and force structure reductions loom on the
horizon, while threats continue to grow increasingly
sophisticated and dangerous. Integrated C4ISR is a force
multiplier that enhances mission capabilities and enables
warfighters to meet growing requirements, despite
anticipated cuts. Moreover, Integrated C4ISR significantly
improves situational awareness and decision-making to
give warfighters a decisive battlefield advantage.
By: Steve Soules
Steve Soules is an executive vice president in Booz Allen Hamilton’s
Defense Intelligence business leading the firm’s C4ISR initiative.
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