Future
force
All
the latest on network centric warfare
Volume
48, No. 6, April 20, 2006
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The
Wedgetails will form a critical part of the NCW future.
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TECHNOLOGICAL
advances in digital communications and computing provide an excellent
opportunity for military forces around the world to improve their
war fighting abilities.
Military forces that do not make the best use of these opportunities
will be at a significant disadvantage.
The ADF is transitioning from the current network-aware force
to a seamless, network-enabled force in 2015.
The pathway for this transition is mapped out by the 10 Network
Centric Warfare (NCW) milestones contained in the NCW Roadmap,
which provides the steps from maritime, land and aerospace specific
goals into the Networked Joint Task Force of 2015.
A number of air environment projects will contribute to the development
of Defence’s NCW capability.
Three systems that will provide a quantum leap are the Boeing
737 Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft;
the addition of the Link 16 secure tactical data link system to
the Hornet fighters and other improvements as part of the Hornet
Upgrade Project; and the completion of Project Vigilare, which
will deliver two new ground-based air defence command, control
and communications systems at RAAF Bases Tindal and Williamtown.
The capability provided by the AEW&Cs will contribute to the
achievement of eight of the 10 NCW milestones detailed in the
NCW Roadmap.
With the inclusion of Link 16 upgraded Hornets, Defence will be
well on the way to achieving a networked air warfare force. Working
together, these three systems will provide an integrated system
of sensors, command and control (C2), and engagement systems.
Someone who has seen NCW at work in the Middle East Area of Operations
is AIRCDRE Glen Steed, Commander Air Lift Group.
AIRCDRE Steed said, “As Commander of the Australian C-130
Combat Airlift Unit, I experienced first-hand the benefits of
NCW.
“The survivability of our C-130 force was of vital concern
at the operational and strategic level and first-hand information
on the threats to our C-130 operations was a high priority.
Our ability to obtain real-time intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance (ISR) and update this during actual missions was
integral to our conduct of operations.
“I recall our first mission into Iraq where we were able
to track and observe the aircraft through a combination of ISR,
global positioning systems (GPS), and secure phone and e-mail
provided through the Coalition Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in
real time to me at.
“The ability to provide such a high degree of real-time information
and assurance to the strategic level was only possible through
the network capability that was available through the CAOC.”
For the maritime environment, the emerging NCW environment is
leading to the development of complementary capabilities.
As an example, starting in 2008, the Maritime Communications Modernisation
Project will integrate existing and new communication systems
into a single system to deliver voice, video and data.
The initial capability will provide a Maritime Tactical Wide Area
Network, network management, replacement message handling system
and some switchboard augmentation for 15 ships and will enable
access to satellite communications and direct line-of-sight communications
with access to media types including web browsing, email and databases.
In the longer term, from 2013, the Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD)
will add to the networked warfare capabilities of the ADF.
As part of a broader communications and targeting network that
might also include Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft
(AEW&C), fighter aircraft, over-the-horizon radar, other ships
and land forces, the AWDs will be able to track and simultaneously
destroy aircraft and missiles at distances in excess of 150km
with long-range SM-2 missiles.
In the land environment, some of the immediate projects include
Battlespace Communications System to enhance communications for
ADF land elements, with a goal to provide seamless connectivity
as well as provide real-time and near real-time access to logistics
assets from ADF and coalition forces.
Meanwhile, the Battlefield Command Support System will provide
a deployable command support system that gives superior battlespace
awareness and improves the speed and quality of decision-making
in the land tactical battlespace.
The Soldier Combat System will enhance the performance of the
individual close-combat soldier and small teams as part of a network-enabled
force, while the main battle tank replacement is providing a tank
with higher levels of protection, mobility, improved fire control
system components and excellent interoperability in the networked
battlefield.
