Communications, Navigation, and Identification (CNI) is a category of advanced electronic products and systems employed by the U.S. DoD, NATO, and other U.S. allies to carry out, share, protect, and track missions in air, ground, water, space, and cyber platforms. The technologies focus on performing those three tasks mentioned in the name, at times individually and at times in combination. The three subcategories basically break out this way:
1. Communications has primarily focused on secure, unjammable radio communications between allied warfighters to assure they can carry out their duties without adversaries learning or interrupting their mission plans. Today, securing cyber is just as essential.
2. Navigation electronics use GPS, geo-location, and other technologies, including avionics systems, to guide relevant platforms, track potential combatants, and engage in conflict if necessary. Tying them into secure radios can also support situational awareness.
3. Identification technologies help reduce “friendly fire” occurrences, keep track of allied personnel and their “vehicles,” prevent adversaries from accessing locations undetected, and play a role in threat detection. All of which also supports situational awareness.