C4ISR Contributes to Mission Performance

A critical element of the Deepwater program will be the modernization of C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) systems.

The total package that is a C4ISR “System of Systems” Enterprise to be delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard and its Deepwater cutters, aircraft and shore facilities establishes common software, systems and components across all surface, air and shore assets. Simply put, this system provides interoperability, improved situational awareness and new levels of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). Interoperability, Improved Situational Awareness and Maritime Domain Awareness

Under Deepwater, the Coast Guard’s common Command and Control System (CG-C2) is deployed across all appropriate land, sea and air assets. This provides operational commanders the tactical awareness, planning and decision tools required to prosecute their missions more effectively. C4ISR improvements also include robust communications systems establishing clear and secure voice and data communication across the broad frequency spectrum required by USCG operations. Improved INTEL capabilities, collection, dissemination, fusion and analysis, and INTEL integration with national systems and operational forces is also provided. Most importantly, the C4ISR solution networks each asset’s passive and active sensor information enhancing the USCG Common Operational Picture (COP).

Legacy Upgrades
To remedy gaps in the Coast Guard’s command-and-control systems for the near term, the Coast Guard Command and Control Engineering Center (C2CEN) has developed a number of interim systems to upgrade legacy assets--providing proven, functional Command and Control (C2) systems that will bridge the gap until new systems and assets can be deployed. The ongoing Command Center Recapitalization Project will provide operational commanders with a C2 system that allows access to a Common Operational picture, near-real-time data collection, a secure communications channel and the means to communicate with regional and local first responders as well as the Coast Guard’s counterparts in the Department of Defense (DoD). DoD’s Global command and control system (GCCS) will serve as the Coast Guard’s near-term means to integrate information and data from disparate sources.

Other key programs and initiatives of the Coast Guard and DHS, including the Coast Guard’s Rescue-21 program, are being coordinated and integrated with the Deepwater program.