-Transforming command and control within the NZDF
9 December 2008
The Joint Command and Control System (JCCS) Programme will revolutionise command and control within the NZDF. This IT-enabled system will collect, collate, process, display, store, disseminate and protect command and control information in near real-time. JCCS will provide commanders at all levels with enhanced situational awareness on which to base their decisions in both the operational and corporate environments. It will improve the probability of mission success and reduce operational risk to NZDF personnel, and will also ensure the effective and efficient use of NZDF resources.
JCCS will enable the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand (COMJJNZ), to better command and control assigned New Zealand forces, deployed and within New Zealand, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Force (CDF).
The JCCS Programme
The JCCS Programme was approved by Cabinet on 15 Sep 08. It comprises four projects:
- The Defence Command and Control System (DC2S) Project – 2009/2011. DC2S is the ‘core’ of the JCCS providing a common operating environment consisting of situational awareness (through a common operational picture capability), messaging, mapping, charting and geodesy display, collaboration tools and common office automation applications. This project will acquire the ‘core’ software and hardware for JCCS. Project implementation is scheduled to commence at both HQNZDF and HQJFNZ in Dec 09.
- The Logistics (Log) Project – 2010/2011. This project seeks to extend the NZDF’s corporate logistic system into the operational environment. It will enable commanders and their staff to directly access logistics, readiness, and preparedness information. It will improve the efficiency and accuracy of mission planning, logistics operations, stocks in the logistics system, and improve stock order processing.
- The Air Command and Control (Air C2) Project – 2010/2011. The Air C2 component will provide the tools necessary to task NZDF aircraft including air mission planning, airspace planning, aircraft mission upload, flight scheduling, Air Tasking Order planning and air movements.
- The Joint Military Appreciation Process (JMAP) Project – 2011/2012. JMAP is the planning and conduct of operations and campaigns. It is conducted primarily at the operational level and leverages all the known information concerning the area of operations, friendly, neutral, and hostile intentions and dispositions. For JCCS this component specifically includes: pre-mission simulation and replay, post mission analysis, Course of Action (COA) Analysis, COA war-gaming, operational analysis, exercise/training simulation; and JMAP. It will also integrate doctrine and lessons learnt into JCCS.
The JCCS Programme will:
- Provide COMJFNZ and the Component Commanders with the means to exercise effective command and control of assigned NZDF force elements on behalf of CDF.
- Enhance HQNZDF and HQJFNZ ability to plan the deployment and sustainment of NZDF force elements, whether on operations or on exercise.
- Enable NZDF force elements to plan, exercise and operate in an integrated command and control environment with our key security partners and approved government agencies.
- Provide a link to the NZDF Lessons Learned System (EARLLS) to assist in the collection, analysis and delivery of lessons learned.
The Challenge
The Director of Capability Requirements, Colonel Paul van den Broek says JCCS is not an IT project. “It is ten percent software, ten percent hardware and eighty percent peopleware. The challenge for the NZDF is to ensure that its operational processes are robust and well understood by all personnel, that personnel are trained to effectively manage information and to maintain the IT networks and systems that will comprise JCCS”.
The NZDF Project Manager is CDR M. de Ruiter DTelN: 349 7920
The Army point of contact is MAJ J. Dryburgh DTelN: 347 7752
Ui mai koe ki ahau he aha te mea nui o te ao, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata!
Ask me what is the greatest thing in the world, I will reply:
It is people, it is people, it is people!
JCCS = 10% software + 10% hardware + 80% peopleware!