Common operational picture

A common operational picture (COP) is a single identical display of relevant (operational) information (e.g. position of own troops and enemy troops, position and status of important infrastructure such as bridges, roads, etc.) shared by more than one Command. A COP facilitates collaborative planning and assists all echelons to achieve situational awareness.^[1]

A commander's headquarters is typically responsible for ensuring that the appropriate information is presented to the commander, so that he can make the best command decisions. Traditionally, headquarters prepares maps with various symbols to show the locations of friendly and enemy troops and other relevant information. In the modern military, the COP is prepared electronically by a command and control battle command system (e.g. Army Battle Command System).

See also

• Battlespace
• Local operational picture

References

1. ↑ JP 1-02, DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, 12 April 2001, as amended through 17 October 2008.

Further reading

• Headquarters, Department of the Army (27 February 2008). FM 3–0, Operations. Washington, DC: GPO. ISBN 9781437901290. OCLC 780900309. ("Source A" (PDF). "Source B" (PDF). Retrieved 31 August 2013.)
• KGS COP Solutions
• FDSE's COP Page