Automated C2 systems enable maximum situational awareness
For some time now, firepower alone has no longer been the key to victory in military conflicts. Rather, it is about creating situations in which you can make the right decisions faster than your opponent. Back in the early 1970s, military strategist John Boyd described the theory of the OODA loop, according to which armed forces gain decisive advantages through the constant repetition of decision-making cycles - based on the four elements of observe, orient, decide and finally act. Those who act faster according to this process are more agile, Boyd concludes. However, without intelligent systems that are mainly automated, this is hardly possible with today's abundance of information. In particular, monitoring one's own territory and its surroundings poses major challenges for armed forces.
Fully automated data fusion
There are many command and control (C2) systems for airspace surveillance, but only a few are highly automated and enable armed forces to fulfil the tasks of the OODA loop without a large number of personnel. One of these is the 9AIR C4I from the Swedish defence company Saab. The centrepiece of this modular command and control system is the "Track Data Fusion Engine" (TDFE), a high-performance multi-sensor tracker and correlator. It takes plots, bearings and tracks from a variety of sources as input and uses highly developed algorithms to perform tracking and fusion, providing command and control system operators with a precise and reliable situational picture, and thus enabling a rapid response. The software creates a fully automated line of motion for incoming signals by merging measurements from a mix of active and passive sensors with the tracks of other systems. TDFE fuses sensor sources such as plots, tracks, ADS-B, AIS, electronic support measures (ESM) and electronic countermeasures (ECM). "Monitoring your own territory is all about speed and precision. The multitude of incoming signals and information - both civilian and military - must be evaluated and synchronised in a fraction of a second. A human cannot do this in the short time available," explains Martin Vobora, expert in air command & control and guidance systems at Saab. "As part of our system's data fusion, the best position and quality of a track can be delivered without the operator having to intervene. There is also a function where tracks from the multi-sensor tracker and correlator can be automatically evaluated and combined to assess the identity of the target, this is another function to limit the burden of the operator.”
One system, numerous applications
The hardware required for the 9AIR C4I is commercially available as COTS (Commercial Of The Shelf). The equipment also varies depending on where the command and control system is to be installed. If it is a large military installation that is protected from all possible potential threats and offers space, the workstations and screens can also be more generous as the system is scalable. Saab also offers the same solution for containers or mobile use. In this case, all the hardware with the appropriate computing power to set up the command and control function and connect to the corresponding infrastructure fits into a box that can be carried by two people. "Regardless of whether it is a fixed control unit or mobile deployment, a C2 system is essential for comprehensive situational awareness and must therefore function perfectly and deliver its full performance in any environment," says Martin Vobora.
Similar to a smartphone, Saab's C2 system for air command and control offers a basic software solution as well as a variety of additional applications that customers can combine in a modular and customised way according to their needs. One relatively new application is the Multi-Sensor Optimiser (MSO), an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that facilitates decision-making when using a large number of sensors. The MSO takes the operator's requirements, the topographical data of the area, the geographical location and the technical specifications of the existing sensors and optimises the joint use of the sensor group through efficient iteration. This creates an even more accurate situational picture and, especially when conditions change rapidly and a large group of users require different information, the application can shorten the decision cycle. Many of the Saab applications - including the Multi-Sensor Optimiser - can be integrated into existing C2 systems, provided the technical interfaces are available.
AI recognises bias from sensors
When analysing the signals, on the one hand movement data is analysed, on the other hand information is also compared with civilian data to determine whether it is a regular passenger aircraft or a military intruder. The system can also identify ballistic missiles and calculate a potential impact location in the short flight time. The system initiates target tracking fully automatically and displays all tracks for the operator on a clear user interface. In case of threats or anomalies, 9AIR C4I can issue automated warnings and even offer specific recommendations for action to support the operator in their decision-making process.
The 9AIR C4I can process all currently known signals and therefore provides a complete picture of the situation. However, sensors are not always 100% accurate and it is therefore possible for the same signal to be introduced twice. "Thanks to machine learning and AI, our system cannot only detect such susceptibility to errors and merge traces, the system also learns from the bias of individual sensors and remembers them for the future," explains Martin Vobora. The operator can also create rules within the system or ask the system to do this itself based on their experience. The AI of the C2 system learns patterns and issues warnings in the event of sudden deviations. This is made possible by the highly developed data fusion software used in Saab's 9AIR C4I. It is one of the world's best on the market and is also purchased as a stand-alone software package by other C2 system providers and integrated into their systems. "The proportion of AI in the systems is continuously growing, and there is great potential for the future. Especially as the resources of armed forces are increasingly limited," says Martin Vobora.
The security of the command and control system must also be ensured. In an environment where cyber-attacks are almost commonplace, sensitive data needs special protection. Saab offers its customers ongoing support and provides them with regular updates. In addition to the continuous development of the basic software, upgrades and new software releases are also made available. Individual customer requirements also contribute to the optimisation and expansion of the capabilities of the 9AIR C4I, which ultimately benefits all users.
Situational awareness for multi-domain operations becomes more relevant
C2 systems are used in all domains and so the 9AIR C4I is not only suitable for air surveillance. Armed forces in the navy and on the ground already rely on Saab solutions. Anyhow a true common situational picture across all domains has hardly been utilised to date. However, this is not due to the technology: "In principle, all signals from all domains can already be summarised in one situational picture. This is technologically possible," explains Martin Vobora and continues: "However, the individual domains within armed forces currently operate mostly in silos. There are various limitations for a common operational picture in joint operations, which is also because the organisation is very different in each country. Nevertheless, the increasing threat situation will require greater integration in the near future." Advances in communication technologies, such as 5G networks and satellite communications, further expand the possibilities of command and control systems and open up new opportunities. For example, high-speed, low-latency communications that enable real-time data transmission and remote control capabilities in a variety of environments.
NATO is also pushing the multi-domain approach - not only within the armed forces, but also between alliance partners. Examples of this is a publish and subscribe approach to information and effectors in a joint network where critical information can be obtained. This also applies to the integrated air and missile defence. Nevertheless, there are still many unanswered questions when it comes to the integration and exchange of information from different areas. In particular, there are numerous security aspects to consider, such as secure data transfer or the different security classes, for example red and black networks. The fact is that cooperation is becoming increasingly important in order to act quickly and stay one decisive step ahead of the enemy. Efficient and precise situational images for the highest possible situational awareness are absolutely essential for this, also to protect your own troops in the best possible way. The technology is available, now the organisation and concept of operation need to be put to the test in order to use real-time information as efficiently as possible.