CATS-C2 and Common Operational Picture

CATS C2 - When a new international exercise or mission is organised, there will always be limitations when it comes to interoperability. There will be different staff methods, procedures, templates, orders, plan, communication routines and much more.

The CATS C2 provides a common operation picture for all of the participants representing operations in the way they want. The Command Post in an international exercise or mission might comprise military, policy and civilian staff. They will inevitably have various backgrounds and experiences; yet they all need to co-operate and communicate.

Objective

CATS C2 can be used in the Command Post enabling everyone to communicate efficiently. The system has a low learning threshold. CATS C2 is a tool for distributing the Common Operational Picture or situation awareness in an exercise or during an operation. The system has an efficient and easy-to-use map tool integrated with a report management tool. Reports are sent between users using standard mail applications. The receiving part can open the incoming reports and update the map with new symbols and positions. CATS C2 has the capability of displaying the current locations and status of friendly and enemy units that have been positioned or fed automatically from a simulation system. Overlays and operational graphics can be produced and shared through mail or a server database.

Adaptability

CATS C2 can be used as standalone or communicate with other applications in a LAN, Intranet or over the Internet. It is interoperable with commercially available mail applicaitons that can be used to send reports between CATS C2 clients. With very llow bandwidth, users are able to share their situation awareness without the need for a point-to-point connection. CATS C2 has standardised interfaces for communicating with simulation systems. The simulation system feeds the CATS C2 with unit status automatically during an exercise. During, or after, the exercise the CATS C2 can replay the movements and events in the exercise.