Evaluation of the Combat Vehicle Command and Control System. Operational Effectiveness of an Armor Battalion

In support of Army initiatives to meet future command, control, and communications (C3) challenges, the Combat Vehicle Command and Control (CVCC) research and development program evaluated automated C3 technology using soldier-in-the-loop simulation. The CVCC system includes a digital Position Navigation system, a digital Command and Control Display, the Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer, and digital workstations in the Tactical Operations Center. The evaluation reported here compared the CVCC system with Baseline (conventional) capabilities in terms of a battalion's operational effectiveness. Using M-1 tank simulators in the Mounted Warfare Test Bed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, unit commanders and executive officers with crews were integrated with semiautomated vehicles under their control to form complete tank battalions. Each battalion completed three days of training, followed by a simulated combat test scenario. One of a series, this report documents improvements in the performance of unit and vehicle commanders by key Battlefield Operating Systems, along with lessons learned. Companion reports address training issues, soldier- machine interface findings, and performance from a tactical perspective. The collective findings help determine combat doctrine, materiel requirements, and training requirements for future automated C3 systems for mounted warfare.