scope:

This standard prescribes a set of common warfighting symbols along with basic application and display rules for Department of Defense (DOD) Command, Control, Communications, Computer, and Intelligence (C4I) system operations, system development, and training. These symbols are designed to enhance DOD's joint warfighting interoperability by providing a standard set of common C4I symbols. It is the first in a projected family of symbology standards for the warfighter.

The requirement to standardize C4I warfighting symbology was recognized at the 30 August 1993 meeting of the Military Communications-Electronics Board (MCEB), recognizing the need for a family of symbology standards to support C4I for the Warrior (FTW) concept. This family of symbology standards, illustrated in Figure 1, consist, of a set of documents to include a warrior's symbology standard in two versions that provide a core set of symbols and display rules for C4I, configuration management of symbology standards, a DOD symbology database, a symbol construction standard (along with government owned open system environment software for symbol construction and use), and an increasing number of special symbol set standards. Version 1 is a near term or interim solution providing basic rules for symbol usage and a core set of symbols for future C4I systems and applications. Version 2 is the long term solutions providing a definitive set of symbol rules and a more complete set of symbols for C4I systems.

This MIL-STD combines the symbology from two separate usage domains referred to as the "force domain" and "engagement domain." Both domains use warfighting symbology in support of their C4IFTW functions. When integrated, these symbols provide a starting point toward a final standard solution for C4IFTW symbology. Symbology used in the "force domain" has evolved from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 2019 (APP 6), "Military Symbols for Land Based Systems," and U.S. Army Field Manual (FM) 101-5-1, Operational Terms and Symbols. Commanders and staff at all echelons use the symbols and graphics in these documents in the planning and execution of land based military operations. These symbols represent units, installations, and equipment and are used in automated C4I systems or to mark maps and overlays manually. Symbology used in the "engagement domain" has evolved from the requirement to plot sea and air tracks on cockpit, radar, weapons control, and command and control tactical displays. Both Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) and Navy Tactical Data System (NTDS) symbology, and most recently STANAG 4420, "Display Symbology and Colors for NATO Maritime Units," have been the primary sources for track symbols used within this domain. In addition, MIL-STD-1295 and MIL-STD-1787B have been developed to provide standards guidance regarding rotary and fixed wing cockpit displays. These documents represent many years work by the U.S. military and international community and are well representative of the requirements of the DOD. Version 1 of this MIL-STD is an attempt to combine symbology used in both domains to provide a set of warfighting symbols for the C4IFTW community.

This MIL-STD applies to all DOD components directly or indirectly involved with C4IFTW operations, system operations, system development, and training within the context of warfighting operations. The standard will serve as the standard symbol set for all future DOD uses of C4IFTW symbology. It does not apply to the application of mapping/charting, weather, cockpit display, or engineering design symbology. It applies to all future use of symbols, in two dimensional and electronic display system C4IFTW environments.

This MIL-STD is designed to provide both general and detailed requirements necessary for the development and display of standard C4I warrior symbology. It contains tables that provide the user with the basic frame shapes (Tables 1 and 2) and over 300 icons (Table 11), along with guidelines for their use. Each of the icons listed in Table 11 are cross referenced to the hierarchy and the symbol coding scheme appendices, Appendix A and B, respectively. The symbol hierarchy contained in Appendix A provides an organization or structure for C4I warrior symbology. Each symbol category or icon contains a number that is cross referenced to a symbol coding scheme in Appendix B. A tactical graphics section, which addresses lines, areas, and boundaries, is also provided.

The coding scheme is used in the Army Space Program Office Graphical Situation Display (GSD) software package. The icon construction software module of this package is intended for use by future and migrating C4I system developers as an efficient method for storing drawing instructions vice graphic images in the C4I system. The drawing instruction in the GSD package uses the symbol coding scheme in this standard.

Symbols should comply with the National Imagery Transmission Format Standards (NITFS) when formed and transmitted. The Computer Graphic Metafile (CGM) implementation of NITFS should be used for input interpretation and output generation of symbol representations (Military Standard 2301). Military Standard 2500 should be used for formatting digital symbology and exchange among users. The symbol coding scheme in this standard should be the preferred code for all symbol transmissions in the DoD. If necessary, the coding scheme may be translated at the user system; however, to ensure interoperability a common code for warrior symbols is necessary and is made standard in this document.

It should be noted that Table 11 does not contain all of the possible icons listed in the hierarchy, as this is only an interim MIL-STD. All tactical graphics are also not included. Also, there are special symbol sets which are in various stages of development. Additional icons, refinement of the hierarchy, refinement of the coding scheme, and additional tactical graphics will be developed in Version 2 of this standard. Special symbol sets will be released as they are developed.

(Note: A United States Message Text Format (USMTF) is being developed and will be an option for the transmission of symbol codes.)