As we have seen through my series of recent blogs on the topic, and through our latest research report Decision Making in the Battlespace of the Future, achieving Multi-Domain Integration will require a degree of continued transformation across all areas of defence.
The research report measures global approaches to Multi-Domain Integration, analysing the attitudes of 400 defence and aerospace decision makers from the UK, Canada, the Nordics Australia and the Middle East. The good news is that the majority (98%) agree Multi-Domain Integration is important for shaping military operations, and even better, many have also started implementing strategies to do so, such as the UK Ministry of Defence’s Integrated Operating Concept.
There is plenty of work to be done: cultural changes within defence teams need to become more open to encourage more cross-domain collaboration; nations need to adopt internationally-recognised open standards that allow better secure integration between domains and allies; and technology needs to be developed with an openness that means it can be used to achieve an advantage across teams.
It’s a long list, but it is all very possible: by uniting as industry, ally nations and partners, there is huge potential to establish behaviours, standards and technologies that will make Multi-Domain Integration (MDI) a reality. In this blog I take a look at some of the technologies available, and how the defence community is embracing them.
The technology picture
95% of respondents to our study told us that technology advancements are blurring lines between physical and digital domains, requiring militaries to adapt how they operate. This has naturally added impetus to the adoption of new innovations in the battlespace, with hardware and services being rapidly developed to support militaries as they seek to break down silos and deliver decision advantage when and where they need it most.
So where is the defence community focusing its technology efforts? Below are four of the technology areas of focus highlighted by our research respondents.
- AI and machine learning: 85% of respondents confirm they have now fully or partially adopted AI and machine learning in their defence operations. AI and machine learning can be used in a myriad of ways, for example to improve situational awareness and respond effectively to a changing battlespace.
- CEMA solutions: respondents also acknowledged CEMA’s (Cyber and Electro Magnetic Activities Systems) role in achieving decision advantage, with 72% saying they are already adopting this technology. This can make a difference by giving militaries the ability to manage, synchronise and control activities to protect equipment and personnel.
- Synthetic environments: 69% of respondents agreed their nation is using synthetic environments to inform training, product or system development. This approach is also beneficial for supporting mission rehearsal and wargaming.
- Space: 2-in-5 respondents to the study also agreed that operationalising the space domain is the most important area of focus for defence technology exploitation. Constellations and clusters of Low Earth Orbit satellites can provide a wealth of imagery and other data across a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the combination of this with powerful on-board data processing capability and communications links to other satellite - and road, air and naval vehicles – can provide a powerful, integrated network and knowledge base.
Navigating the future battlespace
The statistics above imply that enthusiasm for innovation runs high across the defence landscape, and this will certainly help us as we move towards a transformed and more integrated ecosystem. However the research also tells us that despite these technology adoption levels, there is still work to be done (98% agree).
Therefore, as militaries seek new ways to embrace Multi-Domain Integration, strategies to adopt technology alone are not enough. Indeed, the adoption of new technology – from AI through to space systems – must be embraced in tandem with people and process changes in order to have real impact. After all, if systems are built in stove-piped ways by just one team or one domain, or if technology is adopted in isolation, their ability to integrate with different domains will be limited.
Once again (as mentioned in previous blogs) it is clear that encouraging collaboration is key for fostering a Multi-Domain Integration mindset. As we seek new technologies to connect the deployed battlespace across land, sea, air, cyber and space, let’s remember that MDI technology can only be as transformative as the people and processes around it.
For more on this, download the research report Decision Making in the Battlespace of the Future
Multi-Domain Integration
We're working with partners, and investing in product development, to overcome the challenges of multi-domain operations and integration. Our work will enable actionable information when it’s needed most. We call this decision advantage.