Optimizing Future Battle Command Technologies

Man is the fundamental instrument in battle. -Ardant du Picq Battle command's object is to optimize battlefield outcomes. It involves forming people into organizations that are "teams of teams" with common purpose, compatible approaches, "anticipatory" planning, seamless information flow and "adaptive" execution. It also involves unswerving commitment to mission in the face of deprivation, danger, destruction and death. Commanders, staffs and soldiers. will have to make sound decisions even under conditions of severe time pressure, debilitating stress and uncertainty. THERE IS EVERY REASON to believe that du Picq's statement above will remain true, but the performance of men and military organizations will make an even greater proportional contribution to battlefield success in the future. We already envision that future battlefields will be a less forgiving crucible, and relative advantages in leadership, teamwork, competence, creativity, commitment and steadfastness will play an even greater role in deciding who wins, who loses and at what cost. Technology is advancing at an astonishing pace. The fruits of the information age-precision and information-coupled with future breakthroughs in mobility, could lead to significant new capabilities at every echelon. Even modest investments in the most promising technological options may combine to increase tactical-level combat power by an order of magnitude. However, combat power is not simply the sum of machine performance; it requires individual and organizational competence and synergy. Large, widely dispersed and disparate forces must be in the right place at the right time. They must quickly destroy critical enemy capabilities; advantage is fleeting. Machines can assist, but warfare will remain an intensely human activity. Meeting these challenges amid the more fluid, lethal and dispersed conditions of future combat will require superb battle command. We currently enjoy supremacy among the world's armies. We have the best people, organizations, doctrine, equipment and battle command process in the world. However, in the near future, we will have to become even better to maintain supremacy. This article considers how we can improve our ability to successfully achieve battle command in a coming age when small numbers of people will wield tremendously increased combat power in situations demanding breathtaking speed and superb orchestration. Battle command's object is to optimize battlefield outcomes. It involves forming people into organizations that are "teams of teams" with common purpose, compatible approaches, "anticipatory" planning, seamless information flow and "adaptive" execution. It also involves unswerving commitment to mission in the face of deprivation, danger, destruction and death. Commanders, staffs and soldiers, from the highest to lowest levels, will have to make sound decisions even under conditions of severe time pressure, debilitating stress and uncertainty. They must then execute these decisions with immediacy, commitment and audacity. A Revolution in Battle Command The current Force XXI process is the beginning of a revolution in battle command. We will grow beyond the current challenges of integrating functionally "stove piped" information systems to systems that match new layered sensor arrays and analytical nodes with improved precision firepower, maneuver and protection technology. Consequently, there will be far more information available about "ground truth. " Improved analysis, communication and presentation technology will allow us to transform this information into knowledge which can be quickly acted upon. Commanders and staffs will learn to make their decisions and plans faster than ever before. The Army After Next (AAN) will build upon the advances of Force XXI. It will increase strategic, operational and tactical speed by perhaps an order of magnitude. Closing with the enemy may occur at 300 miles per hour instead of 30, thereby allowing us to decisively defeat an enemy who also enjoys real-time battlespace awareness, effective and fast sensor-to-shooter systems and large inventories of precision-guided munitions. …