The members of the SAS-143 Research Task Group on Agile Multi-Domain Command and Control (C2) of Socio-Technical Enterprises in Hybrid Operations had their first physical meeting on 23-25 April 2018 at the NATO STO/Collaboration Support Office facilities in Neuilly-sur-Seine with government and Industry experts from Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States. They convened to explore the nature and challenges of agile multi-domain C2 in the context of operations where militaries need to work civilian government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and others entities. Hybrid operations are challenging from a C2 perspective because they involve this diverse set of partners simultaneously operating in the physical (e.g. land), virtual (e.g) cyberspace, and social (e.g. economic) domains.
Enabled by a series of virtual meetings, SAS-143 was able to reach an initial definition of multi-domain C2 that features harmonization within and across the domains and organize themselves into four working groups that will define a set of research issues and hi-level hypotheses to be refined and explored. Of particular interest are the C2 challenges associated with our increasing reliance on robotics and Artificial Intelligence and the need to operate in a contested cyber environment. Without harmonization Multiple Domain Operations will fail. Without incorporating non-human partners, NATO will be outmatched by its adversaries. Thus, to succeed, militaries need to develop multi-domain approaches to C2 that are able to incorporate non-human entities.
Dr. David Alberts, from the Institute for Defense Analyses and Chair of SAS-143, explained that “the team will develop the C2 concepts and tools necessary to achieve harmonization across operations in multiple domains with a variety of human and non-human partners”. “These will be tested in simulations, wargames and exercises”, according to Dr. Alberts. The 3 year research project is open to all NATO Nations, NATO Bodies and PfP Nations. If interested in joining the efforts, please contact the SAS Panel Office. |