Meta-Information Visualization and Processing for C2

Command and control in ballistic missile defense is characterized by large amounts of complex information that must be rapidly processed by the decision-maker. Part of this complexity is due to meta-information, or, characteristics of information such as uncertainty, staleness, etc. that add to the decision-making burden. Knowledge regarding this meta-information, and methods for effectively processing and portraying it, have the potential of not only relieving the decision-maker's workload, but also encouraging more battlespace-aware decisions. To address these needs, we propose to design and prototype a system for Meta-Information Visualization and Processing (MVP). Four core components characterize our approach. First, we will develop an ontology that explicitly incorporates meta-data and meta-information types in C2 data management tasks. Second, we will design and develop methods for calculating and extracting meta-information from incoming data and representing it in structure reflecting the ontology. Third, we will design visualization methods that incorporate meta-information. Fourth, we will demonstrate a software prototype implementing computational approaches and visualization methods for providing the commander with critical meta-information. We will leverage our team's expertise in data management and visualization design to rapidly develop the MVP system, interface it with representative data sets, and evaluate its potential to support DoD applications.