A brief review of the command forces (CFOR) program

The command forces (CFOR) program is implementing a new aspect of warfare simulation: explicit modeling of command and control. The program presents several aspects: a concept of operations where command and control nodes populate the battlespace in the same manner as weapons systems; an architecture where software simulation of command and control interacts with the battlefield through a set of common services; a software design for the services that forms an infrastructure that integrates with underlying semi-automated forces simulation; a mechanism that facilitates automated integration of real world C2 systems with simulations; and an implementation plan that integrates the efforts of multiple developers to produce a functioning multi-service command forces simulation. The CFOR program has passed through the concept and planning phases and is being implemented. Lessons learned from progress to date are presented along with a plan for further development and integration.