ABSTRACT
In combat a clear mental picture of the current situation and accurate projections of likely future conditions are necessary before effective decisions can be made. For infantry soldiers and their leaders, this means knowing the strength and combat power of one's own forces, and the location, strength, capabilities and intent of the enemy. It also involves accurate and timely communication - and comprehension - of orders and intelligence information. Historically, these needs were met with line-of-sight observation of the battle, the use of couriers to relay information, and the use of bugles, drums, and flags to signal the commander's intent. In the 20th century, more sophisticated command, control, and intelligence technologies, including the radio and radar, were introduced. Nevertheless, Command and Control (C2) was still characterized by a sharply hierarchical and sometimes ponderous organizational structure. Decisions were often based on outdated information, and by the time orders were issued and communicated to subordinate units, conditions had often changed to the point that mission effectiveness was compromised.
