COMINCH P-013 RADAR BULLETIN NO. 6 (RADSIX) CIC MANUAL UNITED STATES FLEET
HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF2000. GENERAL. CIC is the space aboard ship wherein is located the personnel and equipment for the collection, display, evaluation, and dissemination of all combat information and for the control, as delegated, of weapons, aircraft, other surface craft, and own ship. To accomplish the foregoing, knowledge of the identity of surrounding units is imperative. Part II. FUNCTIONS OF A CIC
COMINCH P-013
- Collection of combat information is the initial function of CIC.
- To accomplish this, CIC must maintain adequate and efficient search and detection, utilizing the following agencies to their maximum effectiveness.
- Radars are the single most important agency in search and detection.
- Radio-intercept.
- Radio direction finder.
- Radar search receiver.
- Sonar is a detection agent whose information must be instantly available to CIC.
- Visual agencies such as optical range finder, lookouts, signals, fighting lights and NANCY equipment.
- Display of collected information is the second major function of CIC. A principal reason for the existence of CIC is that most information obtained in CIC is more readily utilized and comprehended when displayed. To this effect, CIC is equipped with all or some of the following, depending on the complexity of the installation:
- Horizontal, polar coordinate plotting boards.
- Vertical, polar coordinate plotting boards.
- A dead reckoning tracer (usually horizontally mounted).
- Projection PPIs (VG, VG-1, VG-2).
- Remote PPIs.
- Precision PPIs (VF).
- Strategic charts.
- Tactical charts.
- Status boards (air, surface, and weather information).
- Radar receiver indicators.
- With these facilities the track and identity of all contacts is determined, and such computations as may be necessary are performed.
- Evaluation is the third chronological function of CIC. Evaluation is the final weighing and taking into consideration of all related factors in order to clearly indicate the intended movement of the enemy units. Related to, but distinct from evaluation, is the interpretation of combat information. By interpretation is meant the routine computations and reports such as courses and speeds, approach and retirement, relation of ship's position to land and position of approaching enemy air attacks.
- Dissemination of the evaluated and interpreted information in rapid comprehensible form is the most difficult function of CIC. This function includes dissemination of early warning, solutions for maneuvers to be executed, navigational data, and indication of probable targets. Whereas CIC has graphic visual displays of all combat information the control stations are still largely dependent upon receiving information by voice communications.
COMINCH P-013
- CIC must disseminate all pertinent combat information to: (1) Flag, (2) Conn, (3) weapon control stations, (4) air control stations, (5) other ships, (6) aircraft, and (7) shore stations, in such a manner that the recipient understands the existent situation.
- Plots, teleplotters, PPI's and accessory equipment are located in other stations to record and display evaluated information and raw data in order that the officers at those stations may have presented to them by the most efficient method the necessary information they require to carry out their assigned functions.
- When CIC has the best information and instantaneous action (control orders) are required, command should give such general directives as necessary in order that CIC may issue control orders to appropriate units of the ship. Such a situation is the night torpedo plane attack in which in addition to the normal functions of dissemination of information including target indication, CIC is in the best position to coach the proper fire control radars on threatening targets and check fire when another fleet unit is endangered by your own fire. This practice is made necessary because of the extremely short time between detection and attack.
- CIC is charged by USF 10 with the control of aircraft under various conditions. This is necessary because of the intricacies of the problem and the necessity for having all friendly aircraft in the air under control so that the detection of enemy planes may be immediate. In cases requiring plane interception, a lost minute may mean the difference between success and failure.
COMINCH P-013
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