April 6, 2020
Defense Capabilities: Joint All Domain Command and Control
What is Joint All Domain Command and
network-centric approach (connecting every sensor with
Control (JADC2)?
every shooter) in an attempt to move data at machine speed
The increased speed and reach of war combined with an
and execute joint all domain operations (JADO) in order to
exponential growth in available data led the Chief of Staff
overwhelm an adversary by attacking them from all
of the Air Force (CSAF) to advocate in the Air Force’s
domains.
congressional budget request for an enhanced command
and control (C2) system that would improve situational
Figure 1. Multi-Domain Command and Control
awareness, rapid decisionmaking, and the ability to direct
forces across multiple domains (air, space, cyber, land, sea).
The CSAF originally called this concept Multi-Domain
Command and Control (MDC2), a term that has since
evolved into a Department of Defense (DOD) initiative
called Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2).
The Air Force asserts that pre-information age technologies
facilitating today’s C2, which the DOD defines as “the
exercising of authority and direction by a properly
designated commander over assigned or attached forces,”
are not optimized for future highly contested conflicts.
According to Air Force officials, commanders executing C2
in today’s
Source: 2019 Air, Space, and Cyber Conference.
conflicts do so by exchanging data through
manpower-intensive procedures and technologically limited
JADO provides commanders access to information to allow
systems, all of which typically focus on a single domain.
numerous options for simultaneous and sequential
This affects a commander’s situational awareness, speed of
operations using surprise and the rapid and continuous
decisionmaking, and action by forces, therefore limiting the
integration of capabilities across all domains to try to gain
rapid and continuous integration of capabilities across
physical and psychological advantages and influence and
multiple domains.
control over the operational environment.
To explain JADC2, DOD makes an analogy with the ride-
The Air Force asserts that aging C2 capabilities (Air &
sharing service Uber. The Uber application calculates a
Space Operation Centers, E-8C Joint Surveillance and
user’s geographic position and the position of available
Target Attack Radar System, and E-3 Airborne Warning
drivers. It transmits information over a cellular or Wi-Fi
and Control System) are not optimized for the speed,
network and matches the customer to the ride through
complexity, and lethality of future conflict; that the
artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. The user’s
decades-old platforms cannot adequately leverage new
screen provides situational awareness of his or her position,
technology; and that the supporting structures to enable
identifies features in the vicinity, the location of the driver,
future C2 either do not exist or require maturation. The
supports data exchanges, and can coordinate multiple
CSAF reasons that a JADC2 architecture would enable
responses and riders in the same car. The military services
commanders to (1) understand the battlespace more rapidly,
contend that enhancing old processes and capabilities is
(2) direct forces faster than the enemy, and (3) deliver
insufficient. Each service is advocating for this type of
synchronized combat effects across multiple domains.
advanced technology to support operations in a highly
contested fight, ensuring not just cars, but aircraft,
Some analysts take a more skeptical approach to JADC2.
munitions, satellites, ships, submarines, tanks, and people
They raise questions about the technology itself, whether it
are at the right place at the right time prosecuting the right
is affordable, and whether it is realistic to field a network
target with the right effects, in seconds.
that can securely and reliably connect sensors to shooters
and support command and control in a lethal, electronic
Why evolve to JADC2?
warfare-rich environment. Others question who would have
The U.S. military contends that future conflicts within a
decisionmaking authority across domains in JADO and
sophisticated, highly contested, anti-access/area denial
question the human role in making JADC2 decisions in real
environment will be won by the side with an information
time.
advantage, enabling the ability to outpace, outthink, and
outmaneuver adversaries across multiple domains. To
Joint Force Perspective and Integration
maintain its information advantage and dominate this new
DOD. DOD is leading a Joint Cross-Functional Team to
battlefield, the U.S. military is reportedly adopting a
explore JADC2 as the concept rapidly evolves. The team
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Defense Capabilities: Joint All Domain Command and Control
includes representatives from the offices of the DOD Chief
The first exercise, led by U.S. Northern Command, kicked
Information Officer, the Under Secretary of Defense for
off in December 2019, focusing on a simulated cruise
Research & Engineering, and the Under Secretary of
missile threat to the homeland. The exercise represented the
Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment.
first real-world test of the Advanced Battle Management
System. Air Force and Navy aircraft (F-22, F-35), a Navy
Joint Staff. Joint Staff is leading efforts to move JADC2
destroyer at sea, an Army Sentinel radar system, a mobile
from the conceptual arena to developing policies, joint
artillery system, plus commercial space and ground sensors
doctrine, joint requirements, and overarching research and
were able to collect, analyze, and share data in real-time
development strategies. The Joint Requirements Oversight
and provide a fuller picture of the operating environment to
Council, responsible for achieving consensus across the
a C2 cell in Florida. According to Air Force officials, the
services regarding acquisition priorities, appointed the Air
C2 cell “watched real-time data pour in, and out of, the
Force the lead service for JADC2 technological testing.
command cell. They observed information from platforms
and people flowing instantly and simultaneously across air,
Air Force. The CSAF singled out a FY2021 budget
land, sea, and space that provided shared situational
proposal request for $435 million for a digital architecture
awareness updates as events occurred whether the
and cloud architecture that “we need to be able to not only
information originated from jets, or passing satellites, or
connect the Air Force, but to connect the joint force.” This
from sea and ground forces on the move.” Reportedly, 26 of
proposal suggests the Air Force intends to pursue the
28 tested capabilities demonstrated functionality.
Advanced Battle Management Family of Systems as a joint
architecture foundation for JADC2.
FY2020 National Defense Authorization
and Appropriations
Figure 2. MDC2 and Advanced Battle Management
The Administration’s FY2020 budget request included
Family of Systems
$150.9 million in MDC2 Research, Development, Test and
Evaluation (RDT&E) and $35.6 million in Advanced Battle
Management System RDT&E.
The NDAA for FY2020, P.L. 116-92, authorized $150.9
million for MDC2 and $33.6 million for the Advanced
Battle Management System; this amount includes both a
reduction of $10 million that the conference report labels as
an “unjustified request,” and an $8 million program
increase for sensor fusion and AI technology.
The FY2020 DOD Appropriations Act, P.L. 116-93,
appropriated $100.8 million for MDC2 RDT&E. This
includes both a reduction of $10 million that the record
Source: 2019 Air, Space, and Cyber Conference.
labels as “unjustified growth,” plus an additional $40
million transfer for Operations and Maintenance at the
Army. According to the director of the Concept
request of the Air Force. The act also appropriated $43.6
Development and Learning Directorate at the Army
million for Advanced Battle Management System RDT&E,
Capabilities Integration Center, the service intends to
which includes an $8 million program increase for
develop the force structure and end strength needed to
requirements refinement and technology identification.
execute JADO with the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.
These focus areas are reportedly being informed by a Multi-
Potential Issues for Congress
Domain Task Force that combines intelligence, information
Some potential issues for Congress include the following:
operations, cyber and electronic warfare, space and signals
under a single command. This battalion-sized unit is testing
What is the relative priority for JADC2 compared with
new tactics via wargames and exercises in the Pacific.
other major DOD programs?
What personnel, equipment, facilities, and training
Navy and Marine Corps. Reportedly, the Navy’s
resources would be required to achieve JADC2?
Distributed Maritime Operations concept and the Marine
Corps’
Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations build on
What role would humans have in the decision to engage
the vision of distributed lethality to connect ships,
if sensors are linked to shooters in real time?
submarines, aircraft, and satellites in networks to inform
What role would AI have in JADC2 development?
command and control elements and connect sensors with
What alternatives to the Advanced Battle Management
shooters. The Chief of Naval Operations acknowledged that
System exist?
to be effective against China or Russia, the Navy must be
able to connect with its joint partners and is pursuing
What is the estimated cost for force-wide
development of a joint network with the Air Force.
implementation and lifecycle upkeep of JADC2?
To test the concept and the technology, the Joint Force has
Nishawn S. Smagh, National Defense Fellow
begun a series of JADC2 exercises at four-month intervals.
IF11493
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Defense Capabilities: Joint All Domain Command and Control
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF11493 · VERSION 1 · NEW