Why subscribe?
I'm Mike, a military analyst and writer specializing in C4ISR—the intricate systems that connect commanders, sensors, and decision-makers across the battlespace.
My career, spanning nearly a decade in national security, has been dedicated to understanding the evolving character of warfare. A significant portion of this was as an intelligence officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). There, I specialized in dissecting the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) military strategy and its rapidly advancing C4ISR capabilities. My focus was on how the Chinese military is architecting its future warfighting systems, particularly their integration of artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and other advanced technologies into their command, control, and networked decision-making processes. Complementing my intelligence background, I’ve also worked as a defense contractor supporting the DoD’s acquisition and R&E communities, helping to shape and assess next-generation technologies for the warfighter.
While we’ll explore fascinating (and sometimes strange) stories from the rich history of military command, control, and communications—from Napoleonic innovations to Cold War satellites and Soviet deception—a central theme will be understanding the trajectory and implications of the Chinese military's C4ISR modernization.
C4ISR is the nervous system of military power. Its historical evolution has shaped battlefield outcomes and instances of strategic surprise for centuries. Today, grasping this evolution is paramount to deciphering the PLA's pursuit of "informatized" and "intelligentized" warfare. China is making formidable strides in weaving AI and cutting-edge tech through its C4ISR to forge a highly networked and agile force.
In this Substack, I leverage my analytical background, especially my DIA experience focusing on these specific PLA developments, to:
Dig into the historical foundations of C4ISR.
Analyze the PLA's current C4ISR capabilities and their integration of AI and advanced technologies.
Connect the dots between past military-technical revolutions and the challenges and opportunities presented by China's contemporary advancements.
What You’ll Get
Original, deeply researched articles at least 4x/month that bridge historical C4ISR insights with current military-technical trends.
In-depth analysis of the Chinese military's C4ISR modernization, focusing on AI integration, advanced sensor networks, data fusion, and their impact on PLA strategy and operational concepts.
Contextual deep dives into pivotal moments and systems from military C2, ISR, and signals intelligence history.
Unique diagrams, timelines, insights from specialized sources, and the occasional declassified oddity.
A place to think about war through its networks, signals, decision architectures, and the evolving human-machine interface, with a keen eye on the challenges posed by the PLA.
Get in Touch
Have a story idea, feedback, or want to collaborate? Email me at mcasey21@gmail.com or reach out on X at @mcasey_asia or LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/michael-casey-85825433.
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