In the entirety, C3I involves gathering information, assessing the situation, identifying objectives, developing alternative courses of action, deciding on a course of action, transmitting orders and monitoring execution. This requires a robust network linking all friendly forces and providing common awareness of the current situation. Currently fielded C3I systems do not support the kind of robust, assured, and timely flow of accurate and relevant information needed to meet the future joint warfighting needs as envisioned in Joint Vision 2010 and Global Engagement. These limits were first exhibited in Desert Storm. Although, the US has rich individual sensor and shooter environments combat effectiveness was hindered by the fact that we were data rich and information poor.
Information technology holds the key to managing the battlefield of the future.
Situational awareness of who the enemy is, what is happening and techniques associated with information warfare will be the critical functions. Protection of friendly force information while denying the enemy the same is of primary importance. The commander's ability to observe, orient, decide and act will be greatly enhanced by systems which capitalize on information technology. C3I systems are among the most important for the Air Force and the Defense Department today and for the future. The underlying technologies supporting C3I are advancing at an explosive rate while advances in aircraft, space boosters or space platforms have passed their most explosive periods and are advancing relatively slowly.