By definition, Special Operations missions are unconventional and unique, from direct missions in hotly contested areas to indirect partner-building and teaming missions in remote, austere locations. Venues like the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) allow industry to learn more about the tools special operators need to support the full spectrum of missions.

One technology AAI will feature at this year’s SOFIC exhibition is its Integrated Command (iCommand™) suite. iCommand provides cross-echelon, real-time situational awareness and dynamic mission management for both direct and indirect mission sets.

The iCommand family is powered by iCommand Cloud, a real-time data integration and collaboration platform for connecting assets and people across echelons and organizations. A variety of new and legacy customer systems can connect to iCommand Cloud and benefit from potentially globally integrated data and services. The open-architecture iCommand Cloud accommodates data collection from every point on the network, as well as data storage, load balancing, information assurance and processing to keep access stable for users even in bandwidth-constrained areas.

The iCommand Table connects to iCommand Cloud, and gives decision-makers a holistic, four-dimensional and time-synchronized view of the battlespace on an intuitive, multi-touch table device. AAI also is developing a scalable iCommand Mobile component to allow dismounted users similar capabilities via Android-equipped devices like commercial smartphones and tablets.

“A capability like iCommand seamlessly supports the highly interactive, irregular characteristics of the Special Operations mission,” says Vice President, Ground Control Technologies Melissa Hildebrandt. “With such high stakes, the user needs comprehensive situational awareness to interact with the environment, intelligence sources, sensors, decision-makers and more. iCommand brings all of that together so operators can influence the surrounding environment in real time.”

Learn more about AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems at SOFIC 2013, at the Tampa Convention Center from May 14-16, booth #704.