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Updated September 28, 2020
Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2)
What Is JADC2?
sensors, processing the data using artificial intelligence
Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) is the
algorithms to identify targets, then recommending the
Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) concept to connect
optimal weapon—both kinetic and nonkinetic (e.g., cyber
sensors from all of the military services—Air Force, Army,
or electronic weapons)—to engage the target.
Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force—into a single
Some analysts take a more skeptical approach to JADC2.
network. Traditionally, each of the military services
They raise questions about its technical maturity and
developed its own tactical network that was incompatible
affordability, and whether it is even possible to field a
with those of other services (i.e., Army networks were
network that can securely and reliably connect sensors to
unable to interface with Navy or Air Force networks). DOD
shooters and support command and control in a lethal,
officials have argued that future conflicts may require
electronic warfare-rich environment. Analysts also ask who
decisions to be made within hours, minutes, or potentially
would have decisionmaking authority across domains,
seconds compared with the current multiday process to
given that, traditionally, command authorities are delegated
analyze the operating environment and issue commands.
in each domain rather than from an overall campaign
They have also stated that the Department’s existing
perspective. Some also question how much a human will be
command and control architecture is insufficient to meet the
needed for JADC2 to make decisions in real time, and
demands of the National Defense Strategy (NDS). Congress
whether it is appropriate to reduce the amount of human
may be interested in the concept because it is being used to
involvement in military-related decisions.
develop many high-profile procurement programs for all of
the military services.
Why Change Current C2 Structures?
DOD uses ride-sharing service Uber as an analogy to
The future operating environment articulated by the NDS,
describe its desired end state for JADC2. Uber combines
the NDS Commission, and other sources describes how
two different apps—one for riders and a second for drivers.
potential adversaries have developed sophisticated anti-
Using the respective users’ position, the Uber algorithm
access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities (see Figure 2).
determines the optimal match based on distance, travel
These capabilities include electronic warfare, cyber
time, and passengers (among other variables). The
weapons, long-range missiles, and advanced air defenses.
application then seamlessly provides directions for the
U.S. competitors have pursued A2/AD capabilities as a
driver to follow, delivering the passenger to their
means of countering traditional U.S. military advantages—
destination. Uber relies on cellular and Wi-Fi networks to
such as the ability to project power—and improving their
transmit data to match riders and provide driving
ability to win quick, decisive engagements.
instructions.
Figure 2. A2/AD Environment
Figure 1. Visualization of JADC2 Vision
Source: https://www.monch.com/mpg/news/ew-c4i-channel/7334-
saic-and-usaf-partner-for-jadc2.html.
JADC2 envisions providing a cloud-like environment for
Source: https://www.japcc.org/electronic-warfare-the-forgotten-
the Joint force to share intelligence, surveillance, and
discipline/.
reconnaissance data, transmitting across many
communications networks, to enable faster decisionmaking
Senior DOD leaders have stated that access to information
(see Figure 1). JADC2 intends to enable commanders to
will be critical in the future operating environment. In
make better decisions by collecting data from numerous
addition, these leaders have stated that to challenge
potential peer adversaries, a multidomain approach is
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Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2)
required (where U.S. forces would use ground, air, naval,
concept. The plans envision a distributed network of ships,
space, and cyber forces to challenge an adversary’s
submarines, aircraft, and satellites connecting sensors with
targeting calculus). The Joint All Domain Operations
shooters while challenging adversary targeting abilities.
concept, thus, provides commanders access to information
Navy ships have participated in several exercises
to allow for simultaneous and sequential operations using
throughout FY2020 to demonstrate their ability to interface
surprise and the rapid and continuous integration of
with joint and coalition networks.
capabilities across all domains—to try to gain physical and
psychological advantages and influence and control over
JADC2 Experimentation
the operational environment.
DOD has held at least two major JADC2 exercises. The
first, held in Florida in December 2019, focused on a
DOD argues that current C2 programs, like the Air and
simulated cruise missile threat to the homeland. The
Space Operation Centers, E-8C Joint Surveillance and
exercise represented the first demonstration of ABMS. Air
Target Attack Radar System, and E-3 Airborne Warning
Force and Navy aircraft (including F-22 and F-35 fighter
and Control System are not optimized for the speed,
jets), a Navy destroyer, an Army Sentinel radar system, a
complexity, and lethality of future conflict; that the
mobile artillery system, plus commercial space and ground
decades-old platforms cannot adequately leverage new
sensors demonstrated an ability to collect, analyze, and
technology; and that the supporting structures to enable
share data in real-time and provide a fuller picture of the
future C2 either do not exist or require maturation. Air
operating environment to a C2 cell.
Force officials have argued that a JADC2 architecture
would enable commanders to (1) rapidly understand the
DOD performed a second test of JADC2 in July 2020.
battlespace, (2) direct forces faster than the enemy, and (3)
During this test, Air Force aircraft connected with naval
deliver synchronized combat effects across all domains.
vessels positioned in the Black Sea, along with special
operations forces and eight other NATO nations, in a
DOD Lines of Effort
simulated environment to counter a potential Russian threat.
DOD. DOD is leading a Joint Cross-Functional Team to
explore JADC2 as the concept evolves. The team includes
JADC2 FY2021Request and
representatives from the offices of the DOD Chief
Authorization Funding Levels
Information Officer, the Under Secretary of Defense for
The Administration’s FY2021 budget request combined the
Research and Engineering, and the Under Secretary of
Multidomain Command and Control and the ABMS into a
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
single program. DOD requested $302.3 million for ABMS
in FY2021. The Senate (S. 4049) would authorize $302.3
Joint Staff. The Joint Staff is leading efforts to move
million for the program. The House (H.R. 6395) would
JADC2 from a concept to policies, doctrine, requirements,
reduce the requested amount to $216.3 million (an $85
and an overarching research and development strategies.
million decrease) due to unjustified growth.
The Joint Staff designated the Air Force as the executive
agent for JADC2 technology development.
Potential Questions for Congress
Air Force. To implement JADC2, the Air Force is
What is the relative priority for JADC2 compared with
developing the Advanced Battle Management System
other major DOD programs?
(ABMS). ABMS is a network intended to provide data to
pass information across all domains. Air Force leaders
Have all of the military services embraced the JADC2
stated that ABMS has been used to help facilitate DOD
concept, or is there some resistance within DOD?
support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout
What personnel, equipment, facilities, and training
FY2020, the Air Force has held at least three ABMS
resources would be required to achieve JADC2?
demonstrations to connect
What is the estimated cost for force-wide
Army. The Army’s modernization strategy identified
implementation and lifecycle upkeep of JADC2? When
network modernization to enable multidomain operations.
could the network become operational?
Army Futures Command is the service representative
What role would AI have in JADC2 development?
developing the JADC2 concept. As part of an exercise
How much human-in-the-loop is necessary if sensors are
called Project Convergence, it has conducted a series of
linked to shooters in real-time?
experiments demonstrating the service’s ability to provide
access to joint and coalition networks. The Army tested
This report was originally written by Nishawn S. Smagh
several concepts transmitting targeting information using
during his military fellowship with CRS.
nontraditional methods in September 2020 in Project
Convergence’s first demonstration.
John R. Hoehn, Analyst in Military Capabilities and
Navy and Marine Corps. The Navy and Marine Corps
Programs
have articulated the need for all domain command and
IF11493
control through their Distributed Maritime Operations
concept and the Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations
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Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2)
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