In future conflicts, facing opponents of comparable strength will be a likely scenario, where the mobilization of military forces will be crucial for gaining advantages and ultimately achieving victory. Air Command and Control (Air C2) pertains to how air power is directed, striving for decision-making supremacy through its implementation.
A vital means of attaining this decision-making advantage is by achieving information dominance. The purpose of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) is to fulfill this objective. By gathering, analyzing, and disseminating critical information, ISR facilitates a better understanding of the battlefield situation, enhancing the quality and speed of decision-making. This is particularly important when engaging opponents of comparable strength in potential high-intensity conflicts, as it aids in identifying and exploiting enemy vulnerabilities at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels.
In the next decade, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) will undergo significant transformations, primarily driven by the introduction of the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. To operate it effectively and efficiently, both the RAAF and RNLAF must critically examine their operational methods and may need to apply new concepts. Both forces share a common interest in understanding how current and planned Air C2 (Command and Control) and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems and concepts can support maximizing the combat potential of the RAAF and RNLAF. They are developing their air command and control, as well as ISR systems, to adapt to the use of the F-35 in the fifth-generation air force of the future, enabling the agility required for actions at tactical, operational, and strategic levels. The report also discusses the relationship between Air C2 and ISR systems at strategic and tactical levels and the application of the F-35 at these levels. It proposes improvements to Air C2 and ISR systems and emphasizes the influence of the RAAF and RNLAF at both strategic and tactical levels.
The report provides a framework for fifth-generation Air C2 and ISR systems, highlighting the crucial importance of alignment between Air C2, ISR, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It discusses new concepts related to the use of Air C2 and ISR in conjunction with the F-35. Furthermore, the report explores how these new concepts can be applied to effectively utilize the F-35 fighter jet, creating conditions that allow the F-35 and other future fifth-generation capabilities to maximize their potential.
Fifth generation air command and control (Air C2) and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (lSR)