Digital Common Operating Picture for Information Operations (DICOP-IO)

This proposal is for a Phase II continuation of an SBIR Phase I project to develop an innovative cognitive- and decision-based system to provide a Digital Operating Picture for Information Operations (DICOP-IO) in coordination with systems currently being used for Kinetic Operations. The DICOP-IO system will bring needed new capabilities for organization, assessment and visualization to IO, a military activity that is growing in importance as emphasis shifts from purely kinetic actions to operations in support of regional security and economic and political stability. Specifically, the DICOP-IO system will provide revolutionary capability for aiding tactical commanders at brigade level and below to generate COAs for effective IO within hours using available PCs. The DICOP-IO is a fundamental innovation in Information Operations arena that: (1) represents the first application of decision modeling technology to IO plan formation, assessment and modification; (2) substantially enhances IO informational and graphical representation and integrates it with related kinetic geospatial and non-geospatial information tools and systems; (3) significantly expands the ability of IO personnel to plan, analyze, assess, document and brief their part of multi-force campaigns; and (4) presents a substantial DARPA-hard challenge from the technical and human user standpoint, but promises substantial payoffs in return.