// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM

Common Operating Picture

A Common Operating Picture (COP) is a single, shared display that shows real-time information about a military operation. This allows different units and commanders to view the same map of friendly forces, enemy positions, and other relevant data, ensuring everyone works from the same understanding.

TECHNICAL DEFINITION

A Common Operating Picture (COP) is a core C4ISR capability that provides a fused, real-time, geospatial display of the battlespace to achieve shared situational awareness for command and control (C2). It integrates and visualizes data from disparate sensors, intelligence feeds, and unit reporting to show the disposition of friendly (blue), hostile (red), and neutral forces within an area of operations.

BACKGROUND

Project Maven is a United States Department of Defense initiative launched in 2017 to accelerate the adoption of machine learning and data integration across US military intelligence workflows, specifically in intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance as well as in geospatial intelligence. It initially focused on applying computer vision for processing images and videos for intelligence purposes. Currently, the program operates under the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and encompasses multiple applications across the Department of Defense spanning military operation targeting support, data integration and visualization for analysts, and training machine learning models on labeled datasets of military assets and infrastructure. It integrates data from drones, satellites, and other sensors to flag potential targets, present findings to human analysts, and relay their decisions to operational systems.

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SYNONYMS & ALIASES

  • COP
  • Common Tactical Picture (CTP)
  • Shared Situational Awareness
  • Battlespace Picture
  • Single Pane of Glass
  • Operational Display

USAGE NOTE

The primary goal of a COP is to eliminate confusion by providing a single, authoritative source of truth for all echelons during an operation.

DEVELOPERS

Organizations developing technology related to Common Operating Picture.

  • Palantir Technologies

    Develops the Gotham Platform, a software system that integrates and visualizes data from disparate sources to create a comprehensive common operating picture for defense and intelligence agencies.

  • Anduril Industries

    Creator of the Lattice OS, an AI-powered software platform that fuses real-time data from a network of sensors into a single, interactive 3D view for autonomous surveillance and threat detection.

  • L3Harris Technologies

    Provides advanced Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems that create a unified operational view for forces across air, land, sea, and space.

  • RTX (Raytheon)

    Engineers command and control (C2) systems and advanced sensors that provide data fusion and shared situational awareness, forming the basis of a common operating picture for joint all-domain operations.

  • Northrop Grumman

    Builds integrated battle management systems, such as the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS), designed to create a single, unambiguous air picture for commanders.

  • BAE Systems

    Offers a range of C4ISR solutions and geospatial intelligence software, like its GXP platform, which enables the creation, sharing, and analysis of a common operating picture for mission planning and execution.

  • General Dynamics Mission Systems

    Develops and integrates secure communication and information systems that deliver a common operational picture to warfighters, connecting sensors, platforms, and decision-makers.

  • Saab

    Produces combat management systems like the 9LV series, which provide naval commanders with a complete situational overview by integrating a vessel's sensors, weapons, and data links into one picture.

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