The World Wide Military Command and Control System--Major Changes Needed in Its Automated Data Processing Management and Direction

The World Wide Military Command and Control System (WWMCCS) is an arrangement of personnel, equipment, communications, facilities, and procedures employed in planning, directing, coordinating, and controlling the operational activities of U.S. military forces. WWMCCS and its priority component, the National Military Command System, are essential elements of U.S. national security. WWMCCS is intended to provide the President and the Secretary of Defense a means to receive warning and intelligence information, apply the resources of the military departments, assign military missions, provide direction to the Unified and Specified Commands, and support the Joint Chiefs of Staff in carrying out their responsibilities. An evaluation focused on the WWMCCS automatic data processing (ADP) program. The WWMCCS ADP program, consisting of data communication lines, an intercomputer network, computers, and software capabilities, is an essential resource that can enable WWMCCS to achieve its intended purpose. To properly support the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the equipment must be compatible, data communication links must provide a direct connection (or real-time relay) whenever necessary, computerized data formats must be common, and all components of the system configuration and operation must be as efficient as possible.