Marines order COCs for Iraq

General Dynamics C4 Systems has received a $231m contract modification from the US Marine Corps Systems Command for 165 Combat Operation Centres (COCs).

The COCs - mobile command and control systems - will meet an urgent operational need for regiment and battalion Marine Corps units in Iraq. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in July 2007 will be completed by mid-2009.

‘The COC has become the strategic foundation for command and control at the battalion and regimental levels of the US Marine Corps,’ said Manny Mora, vice president of Battle Management Systems for General Dynamics C4 Systems. ‘It is forming the bridge to future, comprehensive command and control systems for Marines.’

The COC sets up within 40 minutes, includes a network of workstations supporting standard Tactical Data Systems and other mission-critical software, and has large-screen displays that can take input from any workstation. The system integrates non-secure and secret voice and data communications, Voice-over-Internet-Protocol capabilities and networked servers. Tents, trailers, radios, power generation and other tactical hardware are also integrated for command and control that can be deployed via air, ground or sea.