Conceptual Design of a Cybernetic Information System for Command and Control

This thesis argues a case for focusing command and control efforts more towards conflict deterrence vice conflict resolution and proposes a conceptual design for a command and control system to accomplish this paradigm shift. It also addresses the issue of shortening the Observe, Orient, Decide, Act OODA Loop of a decision-maker to enhance control while disrupting an adversarys control of a situation. Accomplishing these goals requires some method to handle the overabundance of data available for processing and analysis. The proposed system would use advanced, but existing, information technology, incorporating cybernetic models, to enhance a decision-makers control process. It does this by collecting, processing, and fusing all-source data for presentation to a decision-maker. Natural Language Processors categorize, filter, and fuse relevant data while advanced visualization engines display that data in a way that improves a decision-makers ability to rapidly assimilate infonnation, and increase knowledge and understanding. This thesis shows that using cybernetic models, and advanced Artificial intelligence tools, a design exists that could help increase understanding and control by improving the decision-making process and shortening the decision-makers OODA Loop.