Papers - The Air Power Journal

The Elusive Promise of Digital Acquisition for Combat Capabilities

Military decision-makers should reexamine assumptions about the role of digital capabilities and AI in future combat systems. While acknowledging the importance of information technology, they must recognize the enduring significance of traditional military technologies. A balanced approach is essential, leveraging startup expertise cautiously, as forcing commercial practices into combat capabilities development may lead to failure.

Dr. Ted Harshberger, Senior Associate (Non-Resident), Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group, Center for Strategic and International Studies, United States

Dr. Cynthia R. Cook, Director, Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group, Center for Strategic and International Studies, United States

AI, Innovation

Leveraging the Defense Metaverse: Unlocking the Power of AI for Force Development

As operational landscapes evolve, militaries recognize the urgent need to harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for adaptable capabilities. Introducing the concept of the “defense metaverse,” this approach constructs a dynamic digital twin of the battlespace, integrating AI and sophisticated models to refine tactical concepts. Highlighting successes like the GhostPlay project, it emphasizes prioritizing experimentation, training, and infrastructure to optimize AI-driven military capabilities.

Heiko Borchert, Co-Director, Defense AI Observatory, Germany

Torben Schütz, Research Fellow, Defense AI Observatory, Germany

AI, Human Factors, Human-Machine Teaming

Human-Machine Teaming in Artificial Intelligence-Driven Air Power: Challenges and Opportunities

AI is making its way into military operations and warfighters will increasingly co-exist with machines with progressively more advanced autonomous capabilities. As machines make the jump from simple tools to cooperative teammates, human-machine teaming will be at the center of warfare. Understanding how to ensure trust between humans and machines is critical.

Dr. Jean-Marc Rickli, Head, Global and Emerging Security Risk, Geneva Centre for Security Policy, Switzerland

Federico Mantellassi, Research and Project Officer, Geneva Centre for Security Policy, Switzerland

Innovation

Transforming Ecosystems: Understanding the Dynamics Shaping Innovation Outcomes

The focus on air power innovation highlights its potential for exponential growth and its wide-ranging impacts. Success often extends beyond innovators’ control, underscoring the importance of understanding innovation ecosystems. As air forces transition to next-generation capabilities, strategic alignment and international partnerships are crucial for managing risks and unlocking future gains.

Dr. Andrea Gilli, Senior Researcher, NATO Defense College, Italy

Dr. Mauro Gilli, Senior Researcher, Center for Security Studies, ETH Zürich, Switzerland

Human Factors, Space

Space: The Digital Frontier

The United States Space Force prioritizes integrating digital tools across its missions, serving as a case study for other space organizations. Their focus areas include Digital Workforce for training, Digital Headquarters for data-driven decisions, Digital Engineering for infrastructure, and Digital Operations for efficiency through automation and AI. This comprehensive approach aims to maximize the effectiveness of space operations through digital transformation.

Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE), United States

Innovation, Leadership

Identifying Future Technology and Workforce Requirements for Air Operations

The national defense strategy emphasizes the importance of skills like cyber security and drone piloting. Using a strategies-to-tasks approach helps translate high-level goals into practical plans, guiding resource allocation. Aligning strategy with mission roles requires careful planning, particularly with advanced technologies like hypersonics and AI. Overcoming cultural barriers and addressing workforce training are essential for successful transformation.

Dr. Sherrill Lingel, Program Director for Force Modernization and Employment, RAND Corporation, United States

AI, Human Factors

Disruptive AI:
The Accelerating Impact on Next-Generation Air Power

Building upon Peter Singer’s assertion that humankind is losing its monopoly on fighting war, the growing impact of AI in air power is explored, highlighting applications such as fully autonomous systems, virtual co-pilots, loyal wingmen, drone swarms, and autonomous decoys. These advancements enhance combat capabilities, cost-efficiency, and survivability, despite ethical concerns.

Professor Ron Matthews, Tawazun Chair in Defense and Security Capability, Rabdan Academy, UAE, and Visiting Professor in Defense Economics, UK Defense Academy

Embracing Big Data and AI Strategically: The Digital Transformation of the IDF

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are undergoing a strategic transformation, integrating branches into a unified digital architecture driven by AI. The Momentum program enhances real-time intelligence-sharing and interactions, harnessing big data’s potential. AI promises exponential gains for the IDF’s future warfare paradigm.

Yaakov Lappin, Research Associate, Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, Israel

Innovation, Space

Space Acquisition Transformation: Leveraging Partnerships with Commercial Providers for Defense

Policy shifts and technological advancements have propelled commercial space activities, outnumbering traditional satellites. Military benefits, including cost savings, hinge on flexible acquisition processes. However, challenges persist, especially in kinetic operations. Adapting requires addressing critical questions about acquisition models and collaboration with commercial providers.

Dr. Jamie M. Morin, Executive Director, Center for Space Policy and Strategy, United States

Sam Wilson, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Space Policy and Strategy, United States

Command and Control, Information Superiority

A New Battle Command Architecture for Air Force-Led All Domain Operations

The new American joint warfighting concept intends to optimize the synergy of effects that accrues from operating in an integrated fashion across all domains and the electromagnetic spectrum. To be successful, a new battle command architecture and command and control (C2) paradigm that enables automatic linking and the transfer of data securely, reliably, and seamlessly is essential.

David A. Deptula, Lieutenant General (Ret.), United States Air Force, Dean, Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies, United States

Human Factors, Space

Reaching for the Stars: Cultivating a Cadre of Space Specialists for Multi-Domain Operations

Multi-domain operations rely on the space domain as a ‘make-or-break’ enabler and demand space domain expertise at the field grade level. A new cadre of space specialists must be cultivated to exploit space enablers, and demand that air force leaders generate training requirements and begin to develop career pathways for military space officers.

Peter Garretson, Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the Space Policy Initiative, American Foreign Policy Council, United States

Innovation, Space

Implications of Commercial Space: Enabling Capability and Introducing New Dynamics into Competition

The rapid growth of commercial space positions it at the forefront of innovation and activities relating to the expanding use of space. Militaries have much to gain from commercial space as they attempt to unlock the full potential that space-enabled capabilities can provide for military activity, but this will also introduce new dynamics into the competition for dominance.

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

Innovation, Leadership

Leading Innovation: The Transformation from Closed Defense Industrial Bases to Open Innovation Ecosystems

Open innovation (OI) models represent a new strategy inducing huge transformation for defense organizations such as air forces and their industry partners, particularly lead systems integrators. The shift from closed to OI models has become essential, but implies paradigmatic changes to be managed relating to the design and appraisal of complex military programs.

Dr. Valérie Merindol, Professor and Co-Director, newPIC Chair, Paris School of Business, France

Command and Control, Interoperability

De-Centralized Command and Control: Implications for Air Battle Management and Mission Command

Future C2 architectures are being developed with some degree of decentralization to make it harder for opposing forces to find, target, and degrade key C2 nodes. A highly automated, decentralized C2 and data-sharing network however remains beyond reach and without the ability to replace human crews, air forces will remain dependent on centralized legacy systems.

Shift Paradigm.