Command and Control | Op-ed| Security Lense | 30-Aug-2024
In today’s rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, the concept of Command and Control (C2) is more critical than ever. Defined by the Department of Defense (DOD) as the exercise of authority by commander over assigned forces. C2 encompasses decision-making processes, communication networks, and the coordination of military assets. It determines how information flows, how orders are transmitted, and how forces are deployed. Without effective C2, chaos ensues, and mission success becomes uncertain. From tactical engagements to large-scale conflicts, C2 is the linchpin that enables military forces to act cohesively and achieve their objectives. As strategic competitors like Russia and China develop sophisticated strategies to disrupt US Command and Control systems. US Department of Defense is modernizing its approach to ensure operational effectiveness. To counter these threats, the DOD is pursuing innovative solutions. The Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2)concept aims to integrate information across all domains (land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace) to enhance decision-making. However, challenges remain, including technical hurdles, interoperability, and the need for rapid adaptation. This article explores the intricacies of C2, the challenges posed by the adversaries and the innovative solutions being implemented to maintain US superiority.
Definition and Importance of Command and Control
The Department of Defense defines Command and Control (C2) as the exercise of authority and direction given by the designated commander over assigned forces to accomplish mission. At its core C2 represents how DOD makes operational decision. C2 can be viewed as from the context of: who(authorities), how(technical), what (Forces), when (temporal aspect) and where(geographic).
The first variable can be summarized as “who commands forces?”. It focuses on authority of commander to execute an operation. This emphasize upon chain of command, differentiate among military services, training equipping and organizing them. Like, Army provides infantry battalions and Air Force provides fighter squadrons. And it is the commander who decide what those units should do and give them orders.
The second variable represents that how a commander is going to make decisions and transmit them to the field. It emphasizes upon the use of hardware and systems. When we talk about the technical factor; command, control, communication (C3) plus computers (C4) and Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) terms like these enters into the discussion.
This variable of command and control looks upon method of collection of data (ISR) and the utilization of computer elements to convert data into information. And the system that enables commander to communicate their decisions to the assigned forces.
The third variable generally talks about what kind of units, systems and forces are being commanded. In this case there is shift from general military forces towards nuclear forces or commanding special operations.
The fourth variable of command and control is associated with swift response to nuclear and cyber operations. The variable “when” is more tactical focused. Like, when to commence an assault or when to target an aircraft. These decisions are often taken by operating commander. The last variable “where” is associated with geographic component. It mainly focuses upon the areas of interest of rivals, and potential authorization of use of military force in the adversary area.
Challenges from Strategic Competitors:
Key strategic competitors in the current international environment are US, China and Russia. Likewise, US, China and Russia are closely observing US military operations from the last 2 decades and coming to a conclusion that disrupting C2 systems would be highly cost-effective solution to overcome US military advantages.
China’s military strategy of “systems confrontation” which is of similar to the US concept of sharing information. China’s strategy assumption is that in modern warfare annihilation of adversary’s forces is not necessary, but victory can be achieved by paralyzing major operating systems such as Command and Control (C2) and logistics. China’s military modernization has emphasized upon reducing the effectiveness of adversary satellites and communications systems thus preventing it from connecting weapon systems and sharing data and information. In 2015 China established “Strategic Support Forces (SSF)” which combines cyber, space and electronic warfare into single unit and support the use of these capabilities by ground personnel, air, naval and missile forces.
Similarly, Russian strategists focuses on countering adversary’s C3+Computers(C4) and ISR capabilities by striking critical points to paralyze military ability and political willingness to sustain a fight. According to their military doctrine, Russians embark upon disorganization by disrupting adversary’s C2 capabilities through cyber, information, electronic, air defense and missile strike forces. Thus, combining aggressive and defensive capabilities to target adversary’s ability to conduct and sustain operations by deflecting attacks on key Russian systems while disrupting adversary’s C2 system. Russian strategists view initial period of war as crucial and believe that deflecting attacks will degrade enemy’s capability and will allow Russia to win through war of attrition.
US Modernization Efforts:
US Department of Defense has said that future conflicts may require decisions to be made within hours, minutes or potentially seconds as compared to with current operating environment, which take multiple days to analyze strategic environment and then issuing command. The office of DOD stated that current C2 system is insufficient to meet national defense strategy.
They have proposed the Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) concept as method to overcome potential disruption by adversary against US military operations. The JADC2 concept envisions connecting sensors from all of military services (Airforce, Army, Navy, Marine Corps) into single network. It will provide a cloud-like computing environment for the joint forces to share information, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data transmitting across many communication networks to enable faster decision making. JADC2 is intended to enable commanders to make decisions by collecting data from numerous sensors, processing data using AI algorithms to identify targets then recommending suitable weapons-both kinetic and non-kinetic (cyber or electronic weapons) to engage targets.
JADC2 raises the question about its technical maturity and affordability, and whether is it even possible to deploy such kind of a network which would securely and reliably connect sensors to the troops on the ground and support command and control in lethal electronic warfare environment. JADC2 envisions decentralized decision-making empowering commanders at all levels. However, relinquishing centralized control raises concerns about coordination and potential conflicts. Distributed decision-making might lead to inefficiencies and conflicting orders in time of high-pressure situations. Last but not the least, JADC2 relies on interconnected networks and data sharing. This might lead it to be the prime target of Cyber-attacks. Ensuring both cybersecurity and resilience against disruption is quite challenging but also critical.
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