Combat Information Center (CIC)

The Combat Information Center (CIC) is a warship’s central compartment for collecting, displaying, and acting on tactical information from radar, sonar, electronic-support measures, and data links. Watchstanders build the tactical picture, evaluate contacts, recommend or order weapon and sensor employment, and coordinate with other units, freeing the bridge to focus on ship handling. The concept dates to World War II as radar and combat plotting outgrew the bridge; modern CICs host the combat system’s consoles, such as Aegis displays, and the warfare-commander coordination cells.