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C²I stands for Command and Control Center.

C⁴I stands for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and (military) Intelligence.

C⁴ISTAR is the British acronym used to represent the group of the military functions defined by C⁴ (Command, Control, Communications, Computers), I (military intelligence) and STAR (Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) in order to enable the coordination of operations.

C⁴ISR is the similar term used by the U.S. military (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance).

C⁴ISTAR and its related terms can be used to refer to infrastructure, a role of military units or individuals, or procedures employed.

Command and control refers to the ability of military commanders to direct 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. The common variations of this acronym are:

• C²/C&C (Command and Control)
• C²IS (Command and Control Information Systems)
• C³ (Command, Control and Communications)
• C³I (Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence)
• C⁴ (Command, Control, Communications and Computers)
• C⁴ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance)
• C⁴I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence)
• C⁴I² (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence and Interoperability)
• C⁵I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat systems and Intelligence)

ISTAR is for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance. It describes methods of observing the enemy and one's area of operations. Variations on this include:

• I (Intelligence)
• S&R (Surveillance and Reconnaissance)
• RSTA (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition)
• STA (Surveillance and Target Acquisition)
• STAR (Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance)
• ERSTA (Electro-Optical Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition)
• STANO (Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Night Observation)
• ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance)

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

• C³ISTAR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Reconnaissance)
• C³ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance)
• 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.

The term "C4ISTAR" is so clumsy and alien to ordinary speech it may lead to decreased understanding than a single plain-English term used with ellipsis, such as "command" or simple "C3I" - here the understanding that all elements in C4ISTAR feed back into effective (or ineffective) command. So if you talk about "command requirements" this can connote ALL open-ended requirements for effective command - including (actual) command, control, communications, computer, surveillance, public relations (et cetera, et cetera). See also ellipsis.

• Command Center
• Artillery STA
• British Military Intelligence Systems in Northern Ireland
• Network-centric warfare
• RSTA (U.S. Army)