C⁴ISTAR is an acronym used to represent the following group of related military functions that enable the coordination of operations:

• Command
• Control
• Communications
• Computers
• Intelligence
• Surveillance
• Target Acquisition
• Reconnaissance

Many subsets of these elements are used, or have been used in the past, as acronyms. These include:

• C²/C&C (Command and Control)
• C³ (Command, Control and Communications)
• C³I (Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence)
• C⁴I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence)
• C⁴ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance)
  • C4ISR: The Journal of Net-Centric Warfare is also the name of a journal published by the DefenseNews Media Group.
• C⁴I² (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence and Interoperability)
• STAR (Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Reconnaissance)
• ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Reconnaissance)

Command and control refers to the ability of the military commander to direct his forces. The addition of Communications to the grouping reflects the fact that communications is required to enable this coordination. In modern warfare, computers are also a key component.

Intelligence is the knowledge relevant to the coordination of forces. Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance are methods of obtaining this intelligence.

These terms can be used to refer to infrastructure, a role of military units or individuals, or procedures employed.

See also

• Network-centric warfare
• British Military Intelligence Systems in Northern Ireland

C4ISTAR | Military acronyms