Situational Awareness Using the Responsive Workbench

Abstract

Abstract : Our task is to provide situational awareness for the complex logistical task of directing the movement of U.S. Marines and material over rugged terrain, day and night, in uncertain weather conditions. This difficulty is multiplied by the well-known dangers of amphibious assault, long considered the most difficult problem in warfare. Even with the advent of computers and sophisticated decision-making software in Marine Corps Combat Operation Centers, command and control is predominantly undertaken with paper maps and acetate overlays. This is a cumbersome, time consuming process. In addition, detailed maps and overlays can take several hours to print and distribute. There currently exists no overall picture of the battlespace that provides a commander with a dynamic range of resolution sufficient to track units ranging from aircraft carriers to six-Marine fire teams.