Combat Identification is not a particular system but the product of a number of different information sources combined to produce a single picture of the battlespace.

Advances in technology mean that a greater variety of information sources can be combined very quickly to create an accurate and timely picture for sharing situational information.

Typically, Tactical Data Link information is a core component for Combat Identification and is often supported by IFF, Intelligence and Surveillance and Reconnaissance data sources.

3SDL is currently supporting the UK MOD in the development of the Combat ID Server, a joint General Dynamics, Rockwell Collins and QinetiQ research programme that delivers a service for showing the disposition of forces around a ground target prior to it being engaged.