TransitionBriefs Command Post of the Future (CPoF) · PDF fileVol. 2 No. 6 TransitionBriefs Command Post of the Future (CPoF) AdvancedTechnologyLaboratories•ElectronicSystemsBusinessArea

Vol. 2 No. 6

TransitionBriefs

Command Post of the Future (CPoF)Advanced Technology Laboratories • Electronic Systems Business Area

Contact:Hugh PearceAdvanced Technology [email protected]

leveraged thought visualization by creat-ing a collaborative workspace in whichinformation propagated in a way thatreduced or eliminated the explanation ofactions.

Liquid information allows data to beseparate from the viewing space, whichenables the commander to place data in anumber of different displays. The datathen becomes modular in that it can becomposed and viewed in many differentways, depending on the chosen display.

Multiple studies have shown thatdeep collaboration in CPoF results in amarked increase in shared situationalawareness.

CPoF is a client/server-based soft-ware that is a distributed, collaborativeoperating environment. It provides a virtu-al, tactical-operations center that spansmultiple echelons and significantlyreduces or eliminates physical co-location.Operators at all levels can feed and accessreal-time situational awareness; visualizethe commander's intent and commonoperational picture; participate in highly-interactive, distributed briefings usingreal-time shared information displays; andcompose and collaboratively manipulatetactical data with other operators.

The Command Post of the Futuresignificantly advances the under-standing of the nature of commandin the information age. Many newconcepts and technologies, espe-cially in collaboration and visuali-zation, were developed as a resultof the program’s unique approachto combining subject matterexperts—primarily ground forcecommanders—with leading tech-nologists.

The Advanced TechnologyLaboratories (ATL) played a key role inthe development of this innovative, newconcept of operations, led the transition ofit to the U.S. Army, and deployed it tosupport Operation Iraqi Freedom. CPoF isnow a primary division-level command-and-control system in Iraq and its use isexpanding to the U.S. Marine Corps’forces at Multi-National Corps—Iraq andMulti-National Division—North. ATLalso provided trainers, team leads, andlogistics/operations management.

CPoF reduces the time needed fordecision-making in the field and itimproves the quality of those decisions byleveraging thought visualization; liquidinformation; and deep, collaborative envi-ronment.

Thought visualization occurs whenknowledge and understanding transfersfrom one individual to another without theneed of traditional explanation. CPoF

Command Post of the Future (CPoF)

TransitionBriefs