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AI, Information Superiority

Rethinking Combat Power: Air Superiority Under Pervasive Threats

In the future threat environment, air superiority will be challenged by rapid advancements in weapons systems and automation. Traditional approaches to the design of air power are becoming obsolete, and necessitate a shift toward low-footprint “kill webs” that promise enhanced agility. Non-kinetic capabilities, particularly electronic warfare and AI-enabled multi-domain integration, will prove decsivie for air forces to outmaneuver adversaries in future warfare.

Sabahat Khan, Director, The Air Power Journal

Reshaping Air Power Doctrines: Creating AI-Enabled ‘Super-OODA Loops’

AI is transforming military decision-making, enabling faster and more adaptive responses. “Super OODA Loops” herald a shift from the human-centric to AI-augmented operations, which promise to fundamentally reshape air superiority, air defense, and training models. However, the challenges of cognitive overload, cybersecurity risks, and ethical concerns need to be addressed as AI reshapes air power doctrine.

Dr. Michael Raska, Assistant Professor, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Human-Machine Teaming

Optimizing Future Air Combat: Autonomy and Human Teaming

The shift toward collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) will enhance capacity and resilience, but also operational complexity for air power. However, current CCA development prioritizes mission tasks over teaming dynamics. Effective CCA integration will demand human-CCA teams to be optimized by ensuring operator trust, maintaining human-in-the-loop control, and managing workload to create a reliable, attrition-tolerant force.

Heather R. Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, United States

Command and Control

Revolutionizing C2 and Battle Management through XR

Extended Reality (XR), encompassing VR, AR, and MR, will transform military operations, enhancing training, situational awareness, and decision-making for warfighters and commanders. XR enables realistic simulations, real-time modeling, and improved battlefield visualization to reduce the risk of fratricide and civilian casualties. Militaries that integrate XR earlier will gain significant advantages in command and control and battle management.

Dr. Ash Rossiter, Lead Researcher and Associate Professor in Defense and Security, Rabdan Academy, Abu Dhabi

Innovation

Metaverse - A New Domain for Joint All-Domain Operations

The metaverse, though loosely defined, holds significant potential to enhance Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO) and may evolve into a new warfare domain itself. Metaverse characteristics bring alignment with JADO objectives and highlight new opportunities to leverage emerging technology for strategic advantage. However, risks accompany this potential, as virtual warfare can yield real-world consequences, and bring an impact greater than anticipated.

Dr. Tim Marler, Senior Engineer, RAND; and Professor, Pardee RAND Graduate School

Human Factors

Winning in the Digital Frontier: Cyber Targeters and Military Daring

Identifying and exploiting adversarial vulnerabilities to strategic effect, cyberspace targeters will be vital in future warfare. However, cyber targeters require extensive training, diverse expertise, and close collaboration with commanders. The development of a skilled, scalable cyber targeting force, while essential for success in the digital battlefield, raises important questions for force design and doctrine.

Dr. Greg Austin, Adjunct Professor, Australia China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Australia

Space

Developing Space Specialists: Military Training Approach

Growing international interest in space is intensifying competition and the potential for conflict. To strengthen deterrence and enhance security in space, training and education will be decisive. This paper examines how the U.S., a leading space power, tailors its programs to operate in an increasingly congested and contested domain, offering valuable insights for military actors adapting to the space-based requirements of future warfare.

Dr. Peter Hays, Professor of Space Policy and International Affairs, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University, United States

Space

Next-Generation Space-Enabled Communications, ISR and PNT

Space is critical for supporting multi-domain operations on Earth through SATCOM, ISR, and PNT, while ensuring resilience and space control. From an Australian perspective, the shift from passive reliance on foreign space assets to active sovereign space capabilities is vital. Despite the challenges with such, Australia must aim to embrace emerging opportunities to fully leverage space power for military operations by enhancing its role alongside allies in this increasingly contested domain.

Dr. Malcolm Davis, Senior Analyst, Australia Strategic Policy Institute

Innovation

Air Power by Small, Low-Cost Drones: Implications for Future Warfare

Drones are revolutionizing air power, offering cost-effective, low-altitude solutions that enhance speed, range, and lethality. The expanding use of drones also necessitates robust new countermeasures that can be integrated into legacy defense systems. Recent conflicts highlight the growing future role for affordable drone technology and counter-drone capabilities, highlighting their potential as force multipliers but also raising ethical, and legal concerns.

Dr. Neil Renic Researcher, Center for Military Studies, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Johan Christensen, Research Assistant, Center for Military Studies, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Innovation

Framing International Partnerships in Future Force Transformation

Multinational military cooperation will be key to advancing future force transformation. By pooling resources, sharing innovations, and enhancing interoperability, states can build stronger, more agile defense postures. Cooperation can alleviate the challenge of budget constraints and technological complexity, fostering collaboration to tackle common threats and gain shared rewards. However, designing and sustaining strategic cooperation to support force development goals does not come easy.

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