An Air Force Command and Control Battle Lab... Key to Information and Battlefield Superiority

Abstract

Abstract : To ensure information superiority for warfighters in the 21st century, the Air Force needs to develop and implement a command and control battle lab. This facility must rapidly integrate new command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) technologies, doctrine, and concepts of operations into the joint warfighting arsenal. Air Force leadership has taken a critical first step by defining information superiority as a core competency. The next phase is to determine a strategy for its execution. Our current acquisition system is woefully lacking in its ability to obtain technology. Equally lacking is the warfighter's ability to modify doctrine and organizations to best exploit the technology. A promising solution is the battlefield laboratory, or battle lab. The philosophy of a battle lab is to create a place where warfighters, developers, and industry come together to evaluate, integrate, and apply technology. There are ongoing attempts to create this synergistic trinity, but the optimal combination has not been achieved. This paper will identify the critical elements of a battle lab, propose a prototype structure, and address major obstacles to its success. Because little has been written on battle lab operations, much of the research material was derived from interviews with visionary military and civilian leaders, and with personnel involved in ongoing battle lab projects. Literature was reviewed from sources such as the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board and the Advanced Battlespace Information Task Force.