SEA- BASED C4ISR: PAVING THE WAY FOR THE FUTURE

OVERVIEW

C4ISR stands for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance, whose principal function is to find, fix, as well as track both friendly, as well as hostile
forces. The C4ISR systems are also used to assess the amount of damage occurred to the hostile targets in
the area of interest. The functions of the C4ISR systems are not only restricted to intelligence, surveillance,
and reconnaissance, but also includes tasking of sensors, as well as interpretation, interrogation, as well as
exploitation of the processed information.

C4SIR is becoming central to naval strike groups’ combat capabilities. ItC4ISR provides all the relevant
information, which is critical for the success of operations in areas, such as surface warfare, air defense
missile system, anti-submarine systems, mine warfare, amphibious operations, maritime interception
operation to protect merchant shipping, maritime security, maritime homeland security, counter drug
operations, disaster recovery and rescue operations, humanitarian assistance, defense support, the
protection of blue water assets like oil fields, strategic naval bases, and etc., communication networks
running through sea.

The etc.
once-clear distinctions between C4ISR and combat systems are distorting. New concepts of operation areis
likely to draw C4ISR systems more prominently into the kill chain, which shall lead to improvement in
war- fighting measures, as well as the mission-cycle time (time to find threats, attack targets, and take
damage on assets).

CURRENT SCENARIO

The control, command, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (C4ISR)

market is growing with the increase in the number of security attacks, global terrorism, increasing the
requisite for integrated solutions and interoperability, rise in asymmetric warfare, and increasing use of
technologies, like Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) and unmanned platforms. The sea- based
C4ISR market relies majorly on military- grade electronic equipment, which includes small parts, like chips
and components.

Command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR)

networks are a real game changer for defencedefense forces, both in timeseras of peace and war. Covering
everything from battlefield sensors to night vision goggles, C4ISR systems are used extensively by just
about every military group around the world. With these systems, commanders can gain great insight into
the enemy’s movements and their surroundings, and devise actions based on real-time information.
However, as this technology has been developed in fits and bursts over decades, many devices are
incompatible with others, and systems for efficient analysis of all the data are few and far between, leading
to a delugesurge of information that can be nighnear toon impossible to fully-analyzse and act onion.

In previous years, battlefield commanders would eagerly grasp any piece of information to gain coming
their way in the hopes that it might include insight about their enemy or environment. However, the last
couple of decades have seen serious investments in sensor and tactical equipment, which currentlytoday
produce overwhelming volumes of data thatwhich can be molded according to specific needs, by making
use of the C4ISR system.

In Japan, C4ISR has emerged as one of the top priorities of the government, over concerns about the
activities of China and North Korea. In 2013, the country spent more than JPY 10 billion to upgrade
electronic warfare and other similar equipment. Brazil strives to become a global power in the future. Thus,
there has been a lot of activity happening occurring in the Brazilian defence market, specifically in the
C4ISR domainspace. To strengthen its defence ties, the country recently awarded a USD 4.7 billion contract
to SAAB AB to replace its ageing fleet. In addition, Brazil is expected to put impetus in acquiring command
and control systems to assist in operations.
CURRENT AND PLANNED ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE ISR SYSTEMS

The Naval Services bear the primary responsibility in for undersea ISR operations. In the current scenario,
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations are carried out by making use of ships, submarine, and airborne
sensors, along with an array of sonar sensors thatwhich are deployed on the ocean floor. Surface combat
ships and attack submarines are equipped with hull-mounted sonars and towed arrays. Furthermore, several
types of deployed sonar equipment’s are currently under development.

KEYWORDS-

Global Sea Based C4ISR, Command and Control, Increase in the budget for military spending, Active
Electronically Scanned Array (AESA), state-of-the-art c4isr military and naval assets in Japan, growth
rates worldwide including the North American and European markets

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dipra K. M. is a market research associate at Mordor Intelligence, LLP in the field aerospace and defense,
having graduated from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies with aviation degree, and also has
an IATA certification. He has been involved with market research and previously had previously been
working for preparing market report on airport financial valuation and due diligence.