Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Signs Off on JADC2 Strategy

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, a 2021 Wash100 winner, has approved the Department of Defense’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control strategy for future warfare.

JADC2 is the concept of connecting the military’s sensors across all domains, including space and cyberspace, into a single network.

DOD’s JADC2 strategy emphasizes the use of artificial intelligence and data-sharing capabilities on the battlefield, FedScoop reported.

Once fully implemented, JADC2 is expected to allow even a fighter jet to coordinate with infantrymen using a global data-sharing network.

Austin’s sign-off on the strategy marks the official launch of a project that the military services have already invested in heavily.

The Army is contributing to the JADC2 effort through Project Convergence, a multi-platform initiative aimed at merging joint force capabilities.

Project Convergence already uses AI software to process satellite data and send updates to combat units. For 2021, the Army plans to pursue more AI-powered systems critical to the success of the project.

Curtis Nowak, JADC2 director of the Army Joint Modernization Command, said the first year of Project Convergence highlighted the importance of integrating new capabilities early and often.

The Air Force is creating JADC2 capabilities through its Advanced Battle Management System. The service recently demonstrated how AI and cloud capabilities can enable the fast travel of data between platforms.

Without such capabilities, military officers have to manually analyze battlefield situations by walking between hubs of computer screens.

Despite the progress made during the test, the Air Force was forced to cancel its sixth ABMS demonstration after being only granted $159 million out of the $302 million it requested for the project.