AUSCANNZUKUS is anabbreviation for the navalCommand, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) interoperability organization involving theAnglosphere nations ofAustralia,Canada,New Zealand, theUnited Kingdom, and theUnited States. It is also used as a securitycaveat in theUKUSA Community, where it is also known as "Five Eyes."[1][2][3]
The organization's vision and mission,[4] objectives, strategies and guiding principles,[5]and Structure[6]are presented on the AUSCANNZUKUS Information Portal.
The current AUSCANNZUKUS organization consists of the supervisory board, C4 Committee, and various other subordinate groups.[6]
Early inWorld War II communications interoperability betweenAllied forces was poor. During March 1941 the first high-level proposals to formally structure combined operations between the United States and the United Kingdom were considered; these discussions were the genesis of the currentCombined Communications Electronics Board (CCEB).[7]
The origins of the AUSCANNZUKUS organization arose from dialogue between AdmiralArleigh Burke, USN, and Admiral LordLouis Mountbatten, RN, in 1960. Their intention was to align naval communications policies and prevent, or at least limit, any barriers to interoperability, with the imminent introduction of sophisticated new communications equipment. AUSCANNZUKUS matured to the current five-nation organization in 1980 when New Zealand became a full member.[7]
The organization's remit has expanded over the years, and its mission now includes fostering knowledge sharing and C4 interoperability between the navies of the five nations in order to increase operational effectiveness.[4]
AUSCANNZUKUS liaises closely with Washington-based management groups of theCombined Communications Electronics Board (CCEB),Multinational Interoperability Council (MIC),[8]American,British,Canadian,Australian andNewZealand Armies' Interoperability Program (ABCANZ Armies),Air and Space Interoperability Council (ASIC (Air Force))[9][10]andThe Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP).[11][12]
