It’s undeniable the massive role that technology plays in helping keep the American Armed Forces at the top of its game. The technological advances and innovations that America continues to produce are key to having the edge on the battlefield. The Pentagon is looking to streamline the JADC2 through the creation of an office that will better serve the U.S. military. If successful, the multi-billion dollar concept will be positioned to better help advance American interests through advanced use of defense techniques and weaponry.

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What Is JADC2?

An initiative of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) is aiming to consolidate military technology across various U.S. military branches into one. Various sensors are being connected to better work and collaborate with each other to deliver safer defense responses and weaponry for the American Armed Forces. With more technology comes more capabilities. This includes the ability to collect an absurd amount of data. But having data also comes with the task of deciphering said data and knowing what to do with it. It doesn’t take long to see that online data gathering is getting increasingly complex, and social media ads are a great example. The main difference with the JADC2 strategy, however, is that instead of using the information to sell you another sweater, it’s being used to defend against America’s enemies.

The JADC2 Implementation Plan

With the JADC2 implementation plan finalized and signed by Defense leadership, it’s more a question of when than if this is going to happen. So far, JADC2 Army and JADC2 Air Force, along with the U.S. Navy, have developed their own individual concepts to deploy within the overarching initiative:

• Advanced Battle Management System (also called ABMS JADC2 by some) – U.S. Air Force.
• Project Convergence – U.S. Army.
• Project Overmatch – U.S. Navy.

Having plans is one thing; execution is another. Now that there seems to be a path toward collaboration, the challenge becomes creating cohesiveness among these initiatives throughout the air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace spheres within the office. “I would never say the services are too siloed in their approach. The services are doing exactly what they need to support service needs. They’re all talking to each other,” said the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Platform and Weapon Portfolio Management, Chris O’Donnell. U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. Dennis A. Crall has also spoken on the matter saying, “...what the I-plan actually does for us. It takes a look very clearly at specific and prioritized plans. How are we going to accomplish the very things that we said, again, in what order, how do you measure them, how do we leverage the boards, bureaus, working groups, cells, committees that are in the building, to empower them, to move these to fruition?" Lt. Gen. Crall serves as the Director of Command, Control, Communications and Computers/Cyber in addition to serving as the Chief Information Officer on the Joint Staff.

A New Office

The new office is being integrated into the Pentagon and will be directed under the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). A Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office began working in full capacity in June 2022, which will help the JADC2 integrate data while reporting directly to Kathleen Hicks, the Deputy Secretary of Defense.

JADC2 Concept Is Taking Joint Forces to the Next Level

Innovation continues to be at the forefront of the American Armed Forces. This next step is helping not only keep American civilians safer but also those serving. We have more technology at our disposal than at any other time in the history of mankind. The capabilities are impressive and scary in a way, but they can do nothing if they aren’t organized. With a new office to control and maximize our capabilities, the DoD is putting its best efforts into maximizing our technological advances against our enemies.

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The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Thompson 118th Wing, Public Affairs, Tennessee Air National Guard