Speed of Warfare

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

Fifth-generation air warfare rewrites the delivery of air power by bringing together all components of air operations. Fifth-generation C2 will depend on human factors and the ability of air commanders and their subordinates to adapt to new ways of working. The air force will require leaders that can train new ways of thinking and cultivate trust.

Robert Vine, Squadron Commander (Ret.), Royal Australian Air Force and Independent Advisor, Australia

Only the space domain can move information at the speed, size, and range required of an effective JADC2 architecture. If the United States hopes to prevail in a peer conflict, foundational space-based capabilities will be essential. The Department of Defense and the Space Force must prioritize a robust space transport layer, sensors, and space superiority to protect these capabilities.

Tim Ryan, Senior Resident Fellow for Spacepower Studies, Mitchell Institute, United States

Information and data-sharing networks are shifting linear decision-making in warfighting to a web of actionable outcomes that can deny, deter, and defeat adversaries. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe are all attempting to create a dynamic and adaptive matrix of capabilities to enable real-time, actionable, and predictive analytics for decision-making and C2.

Anika Torruella, Senior Analyst, Janes, United States

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.

Professor Justin Bronk, Senior Research Fellow, Royal United Services Institute, United Kingdom

Reaching Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) goals will depend on identifying core command and control (C2) needs and establishing software development plans that are achievable. Investments in people and resources will be needed to move beyond today’s manpower intensive C2 and, as a realistic goal, improve current planning processes with automation and some AI and ML.

Sherrill Lingel, Senior Engineer, RAND Corporation, United States

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) for processing large amounts of data and making decisions have enhanced existing capabilities and made new ones possible. However, the future direction and character of AI in air power will depend on the strategic, organizational, and operational agility of air forces to define and shape the role of AI within their operational constructs.

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