Combat AreaA restricted area (air, land, or sea) that is established to prevent or minimize mutual interference between friendly forces engaged in combat operations.
Combat Assessment (CA)The determination of the overall effectiveness of force employment during military operations.
Combat Information CenterThe agency in a ship or aircraft manned and equipped to collect, display, evaluate, and disseminate tactical information for the use of the embarked flag…
Combat ReadinessSynonymous with operational readiness, with respect to missions or functions performed in combat.
Combat ReadySynonymous with operationally ready, with respect to missions or functions performed in combat.
Combat Service SupportThe essential logistic functions, activities, and tasks necessary to sustain all elements of an operating force in an area of operations.
Combat SupportFire support and operational assistance provided to combat elements. Combat support includes artillery, air defense artillery, engineer, military police…
Combat System Test InstallationA collection of subsystems including weapon, sensor, and information processing equipment together with their interfaces installed for the purposes of…
Combatant Command (COCOM)Non-transferable command authority established by title 10, United States Code, section 164, exercised only by commanders of unified or specified…
Combatant CommanderA commander of one of the unified or specified combatant commands established by the President.
Combined DoctrineFundamental principals that guide the employment of forces for two or more nations in coordinated actions toward a common objective.
Combined ForceA military force composed of elements of two or more allied nations.
Combined OperationAn operation conducted by forces of two or more allied nations acting together to accomplish a single mission.
commandFor command-oriented functions, the authorization required to perform command operations. 55
Command and Control (C 2 )The exercise of authority and direction by properly designated commanders over assigned forces to accomplish the mission.
Command and Control Element (C 2 E)Distributed informed system consisting of processors, software, man-machine interfaces, and communications media that provide USCINCSPACE with the…
Command and Control SystemThe facilities, equipment, communications, procedures, and personnel essential to a commander for planning, directing, and controlling operations of…
Command Center (CC)A facility from which a commander and his representatives direct operations and control forces.
Command Destruct SignalA signal used to intentionally activate the destruction system in a missile.
Command GuidanceA guidance system wherein intelligence transmitted to the missile from an outside source causes the missile to traverse a directed flight path.
Command NetA communications network, which connects an echelon of command with some or all of its subordinate echelons for the purpose of command control.
Command Post Exercise (CPX)An exercise in which the forces are simulated, involving the commander, his staff, and communications within and between headquarters.
Command VerificationThe verification of commands from the Battle Manager or Operational Commander prior to execution to confirm the command was correctly received and…
commitTo send a person to prison, asylum or reformatory by a court order.
CommitmentAn offer to grant a mortgage loan which outlines the terms, the amount of the loan, the interest rate and any conditions that the commitment or approval…
Common Automated System Execution (CASE)An Army segment of the Command and Control Element responsible for the SDS functions which task the associated sensors and weapons (e.g.
Common Integration and Tasks Execution (CITE)An Air Force segment of the Command and Control Element that performs multisensor data correlation and tactics execution for space based elements.
Common Mode FailureA type of system failure in which diverse components are disabled by the same single cause.
Communications Data BaseCommunications data files and updates including, but not limited to, communications message file, network management file, information management file…
Communications Intelligence (COMINT)Technical and intelligence information derived from foreign communications by other than intended recipients.
Communications Security (COMSEC)The protection resulting from all measures designed to deny unauthorized persons information of value, which might be derived from the possession and…
Communications System Segment (CSS)The communications front end for all Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base (CMAFB) missions for non-common user traffic, performing circuit and message…
Communications System SynchronizationCoordination of timing among communications system elements to permit transmission/reception of messages/data which may be distorted by time delays and…
Communications ZoneRear part of the theater of operations (behind but contiguous to the combat zone) which contains the lines of communications, establishments for supply…
COMOPTEVFORCommander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force (Navy).
CompFree food, room, beverage, and travel offered by casinos to encourage big players to gamble more.
COMPASSCommon Operational Mission Planning and Support System (Army term)
COMPESContingency Operations/Mobility Planning and Executing System.
componentSubsystem, assembly, or subassembly of logically grouped hardware and software, that performs interacting tasks to provide BMDS capability at a functional…
Component Acquisition ExecutiveA single official within a DoD component who is responsible for all acquisition functions within that Component.
Component Command CentersThe Component Command Centers (which will contain Army and Air Force unique capabilities) will be capable of supporting the USSPACECOM Command Center and…
Component ProgramA major defense acquisition program delegated to the Military Department of Defense Agency for management.
Compton CurrentElectron current generated as a result of Compton processes. (See Compton Effect and Compton Electron.)
Compton EffectThe scattering of photons (of gamma or x-rays) by the orbital electrons of atoms.
Compton ElectronAn electron of increased energy ejected from an atom as a result of a Compton interaction with a photon. (See Compton Effect.) 58
Computer Security (COMPUSEC)The totality of security safeguards needed to provide acceptable level of protection for automatic data processing (ADP) systems and the classified data…
Computer Software Configuration Item (CSCI)An aggregation of software that satisfies an end use function and is designated by the Government for separate configuration management.
Concept Exploration & DefinitionThe initial phase (Phase 0) of the system acquisition process, beginning at Mission Need Determination.
Concept of Operations (CONOPS)(1) A statement, in broad outline, of a commanders outline or intent in regard to an operation or series of operations.
Concept PlanAn operation plan in concept format. Also called CONPLAN.
concurrencyPart of an acquisition strategy which combines or overlaps two or more phases of the acquisition process, or combines development T&E with operational T&E.
Concurrent EngineeringA systematic approach to the integrated, simultaneous design of products and their related processes, including manufacture and support.
ConfigurationThe number, shape, organization and relationship of panes (lights) of glass, sash, frame, muntins or tracery.
Configuration AuditOne of the Configuration Management tasks which includes a functional configuration audit (FCA) to validate that the development of a configuration item…
Configuration BaselineThe configuration documentation formally designated by the Government at a specific time during a systems or configuration items life cycle.
Configuration ControlOne of the Configuration Management tasks that involves the systematic evaluation, coordination, approval, or disapproval of proposed changes to the…
Configuration IdentificationOne of the Configuration Management tasks, which require that for every change that is made to an Automated Data processing (ADP) system, the design and…
Configuration Item (CI)An aggregation of system elements that satisfies an end use function and is designated by the Government for separate configuration management.
Configuration Management (CM)In computer modeling and simulation, a discipline applying technical and administrative oversight and control to identify and document the functional…
Consolidated Command Center (CCC)A single command center from which USCINCSPACE/CINCNORAD can direct all his assigned missions, to include BMD.
Consolidated Intelligence Watch (CIW)A consolidation of intelligence watch functions within the Intelligence Operations Center (IOC) consisting of the USSPACECOM ITW Center, the NORAD…
Consolidated Space Test Center (CSTC)Series of centers at Onizuka AFB, CA (Sunnyvale), which support launch and initial on-orbit checkout of operational satellites, operate R&D satellites…
Constellation Size (CSIZE)The number of satellites of a particular system placed in orbit about the earth.
Contact FuseDevice used to detonate warhead on physical contact with another object.
Contingency Deployment Plan (CDP)An executable plan designed to deploy an early missile defense capability and reduce deployment time.
Continuity of CommandThe degree or state of being continuous in the exercise of the authority vested in an individual of the armed forces for the direction, coordination, and…
Continuity of OperationsThe degree or state of being continuous in the conduct of functions, tasks, or duties necessary to accomplish a military action or mission in carrying out…
Contract Administration Office (CAO)The activity identified in the DoD Directory of Contract Administration Services Components assigned to perform contract administration responsibilities.
Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL)Document used to order (buy) and require delivery of data. Tells contractor what data to deliver, when and how it will be accepted, where to look for…
Contract DefinitionA funded effort, normally by two or more competing contractors, to establish specifications, to select technical approaches, to identify high-risk areas…