Command & Control | rcomradd.com

JERIC20 is is a next-generation, cloud-based command and control system developed for the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Challenge

Creating a Difference for Homeland Security

Siloed, manual legacy systems for mission control

TL; DR

For the Department of Defense, I designed the Common Operational Picture (COP) for CBC2, a next-gen command-and-control platform. I translated complex battlefield data into actionable dashboards that significantly reduced warfighter decision-making time—from hours to minutes. My work included designing AI-augmented planning tools for Course of Action (COA) development, using research, cleared legacy system audits, and tight collaboration with SMEs to ensure mission impact

Design director research exploration component creation

My Role

Content
DS team

Team

Tools

Excalidraw
Figma
Lovable.dev
Claude.ai
Miro

The goal: modernize how joint forces visualize mission data, collaborate across domains, and act faster under pressure.

I was tasked with designing components of the system’s Common Operational Picture (COP)—a shared interface where users can evaluate mission readiness and generate decisions with confidence. The challenge? Most mission planning logic and constraints were classified. I had to design dynamic, adaptable tools without access to specific operational requirements.

Key Constraints

Limited Access to Mission Logic: Much of the workflow detail was classified, requiring systems thinking and scenario modeling based on minimal inputs.

Designing for Trust: Users needed transparency and control—not “black box” AI—especially in life-critical workflows.

Cross-Branch Variability: Interfaces had to scale across Air Force, Space Force, and joint operations without assumptions about structure.

"How do I design something intuitive without knowing what it is?"

"Can you tell me how high or fast? No?"

This case study includes only publicly available information. Classified details have been omitted for security compliance.

The Research

Research was conducted within clearance boundaries and focused on behavioral patterns, legacy friction points, and tactical needs.

SME Interviews
Partnered with cleared military subject matter experts to understand how users evaluate mission status and coordinate actions across domains.

Legacy System Review
Analyzed cleared interfaces from existing command tools to identify navigation breakdowns, inefficiencies, and workarounds.

Wireframing & Iteration
Built low- and high-fidelity wireframes centered on flexibility and trust—iterated based on SME feedback and internal design reviews.

What I Did

Final iterations included a preview option that allowed warfighters to preview a mission before engaging. AI forecasted real time COAs and offered the operator the ability to engage via the suggestions or retain manual control. Options are fundamental but confidence in the system began to rise. Specifically, I:

Architected interactive COA modules inside the COP that enabled users to simulate and evaluate mission outcomes, risks, and resource requirements
Integrated AI-generated recommendations to surface optimal COAs, with dynamic updates as battlefield inputs evolved
Designed a multi-role interface that ensured clarity and shared understanding between commanders, operators, and analysts across global units
Attributed to a secure and responsive design system for secure deployment across devices and clearance levels—from HQ operations to tactical units

The Outcome

Informed the design of a live, AI-augmented COP that improves situational awareness and mission coordination

Received a Certificate to Field and was deployed across NORAD, NORTHCOM, and PACAF

Contributed to Hypergiant securing a $61M contract award from the U.S. Air Force to evolve the platform

The Innovation Carried On

The design for the Course Of Action control pushed forward other features that enhanced capabilities related to search, identification, communication and geo spatial enhancements.
Key innovations included:

Modular COP Architecture
Developed reusable UI components that supported everything from alerting to planning—usable across joint branches and scalable for evolving data sources.

Cognitive Load Reduction by Design
Applied design hierarchy, progressive disclosure, and role-based views to ensure operators could focus on what mattered in real time.

Secure-by-Design UX Patterns
Designed for a “least assumptions” model—allowing the interface to function across clearance levels without exposing classified logic.