Battle Management / Command, Control, & Communications

Battle Management/Command, Control and Communications (BM/C3): The BM/C3 element is the “brains” of the NMD system. In the event of a launch against the United States, the Commander-in-Chief of the North America Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will control and operate the NMD system through the BM/C3. This element supports the Commander-in- Chief with extensive decision support systems, battle management displays, and situation awareness information. In addition, it supplies the means to plan, select, and adjust missions and courses of action; and it disseminates defense engagement authorization (DEA) and other command decisions to the NMD system elements. The inflight Interceptor Communications System (IFICS) is the BM/C3 communications link to the interceptors during flyout.