Assuring Operational Continuity in C4ISR Facilities

C4ISR - command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance - a convergence of critical functions that together define a mission-critical facility. Each function is very important, and the loss of any one results in diminished capacity for real-time generation of tactics, strategy, logistics and plan implementation. The loss of the entire mission-critical C4ISR facility affects everyone from warfighter on the ground to commander-in-the-loop. And the removal of command and control functionality is always "TARGET 1" in any conflict. Our enemies try to neutralize our C4ISR functionality through offensive means. Yet the same result can be inadvertently achieved if insufficient attention is paid to ensuring that adequate and uninterrupted electrical power is available to support the facility. Terms such as survivability and vulnerability are well defined in DoD regulations, and they use key words like "avoid and withstand" in reference to C4ISR external threats - yet the threat from within is rarely addressed, even though the impact on C4ISR operational availability could be just as devastating. In this article, we present trends within the mission-critical supply of electrical power to the C4ISR subsystems, including advanced powering topologies and technologies, as well as the implementation of solutions for existing and new facilities