CIDCAS (combat identification close air support)

CIDCAS stands for combat identification close air support. It is a NATO military-terminology abbreviation that joins two established concepts: combat identification (CID) and close air support (CAS). The NATO glossary of acronyms and abbreviations records the English expansion and gives the French equivalent as identification au combat pour l'appui aérien rapproché.

In NATO-derived terminology records the entry is marked NATO Agreed and is associated with STANAG 4586. Canadian suppliers working in defence aviation, targeting, communications and interoperability will see the abbreviation in allied standards material, so it helps to read it correctly. The primary reference is the AAP-15 Glossary of NATO acronyms and abbreviations.

The two concepts inside the CIDCAS acronym

Allied doctrine defines close air support as air action against hostile targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces. Because of that proximity, each air action requires detailed integration with the fire and movement of those forces.

Combat identification is the process of accurately characterizing detected objects to a level that supports an engagement decision. Put together, CIDCAS refers to the identification dimension of close air support: knowing what a detected object is before air power is used near friendly forces.

How NATO records the term and its standardization links

• Expansion: combat identification close air support.
• French equivalent: identification au combat pour l'appui aérien rapproché.
• Status: NATO Agreed in NATO-derived terminology records.
• Related standard: STANAG 4586.
• Related references: AC/224(AG)S/108 and the NATO Army Standardization Group (NASG).

NATO's official terminology database, NATOTerm, is maintained by the NATO Terminology Office within the NATO Standardization Office. It holds non-classified military terminology relevant to NATO and is the place to check how an allied term is defined. It is available through the NATOTerm portal.

A related Canadian contract: Digitally Aided Close Air Support

CanadaBuys lists a Department of National Defence award notice titled "Digitally Aided Close Air Support." The record carries contract number W6399-19KF50/001/QD and solicitation number W6399-19KF50/B. The contract value is shown as US$2.5 million, as set out in the CanadaBuys award notice.

The same record classifies the requirement under the GSIN description "Radio and Television Communications Equipment, Except Airborne." It states that the procurement used public advertising and was governed by the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. This is the Canadian close-air-support procurement most closely related to the CIDCAS subject area.

What CIDCAS means for a supplier bidding on Canadian public contracts

Treat CIDCAS as a NATO reference term, not as a Canadian contract clause or certification. A bid team facing a Canadian digitally aided close-air-support requirement should read the following parts of the solicitation closely:

• the statement of work and technical specifications;
• any standards references, including STANAG citations;
• data-link and interoperability requirements;
• the list of deliverables.

Search CanadaBuys for the solicitation number and the GSIN category to find comparable notices. Where a tender cites a STANAG or an allied publication, obtain the cited edition and confirm how the requirement applies to your product before you price or commit to a compliance statement.