Command and Control in a Fifth Generation Air Force: Coordination Requirements of Air Operations with F-35 and the Command and Control-System of the Norwegian Armed Forces

Hanna Marie Bjerke,Sigmund Valaker

doi:10.31374/sjms.116

Abstract

This article discusses the ways in which the F-35 Lightning aircraft might affect the command and control (C2) of the Royal Norwegian Air Force. It emphasises the importance of coordination answering questions regarding the effect of the implementation of the F-35 on interdependencies with other capabilities. This foundation is further used to discuss possible implications for elements central to C2 such as procedures, personnel, and communication and information systems. Based on the capabilities of the F-35 system, we find a development of interdependencies across domains and C2 levels in the Norwegian armed forces; the complexity of these interdependencies, influenced both by the execution of air operations and by environmental contingencies, means that the organisation needs to be flexible in its use of coordination mechanisms. We find that interdependence, and the coordination necessary if it is to be successful, have implications for command and control of air operations involving F-35 aircraft. We suggest the organisation should adopt a more active use of both hierarchical and horizontal structures to accommodate the sharing of knowledge and information across domains and C2 levels. Procedures need to include methods and systems for the delegation of authority, and personnel require knowledge of interdependencies and multi-domain operations. Finally, communication and information systems need to be available, interoperable, and robust.

Highlights

The increasingly dynamic and complex nature of the contemporary security environment precipitates a need for flexible military forces with credible and relevant capabilities (Etterretningstjenesten, 2020; Kainikara, 2015)
For the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF), two aspects of the aircraft’s potential are interesting: its capacity to execute a larger suite of different air roles, and its ability to execute airpower both alone and in concert with actors from multiple domains (Forsvaret, 2018b)
We find vertical interdependence to be equal to autonomous operations, since decision-authority is delegated to the executive level

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The increasingly dynamic and complex nature of the contemporary security environment precipitates a need for flexible military forces with credible and relevant capabilities (Etterretningstjenesten, 2020; Kainikara, 2015). For the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF), two aspects of the aircraft’s potential are interesting: its capacity to execute a larger suite of different air roles, and its ability to execute airpower both alone and in concert with actors from multiple domains (Forsvaret, 2018b) This give the possibility of more efficient military operations where coordination between the F-35 and interdependent assets, such as supporting air assets, naval and land assets, will be crucial to be able to achieve the common goals desired. In situations where members or teams can work individually, Thompson (1967) describes the interdependence as “pooled.” In these situations, the different teams will have direct access to all necessary resources (i.e., information and tools), including decision-authority to complete any assigned process or task. And van Dyne (1993) describe these situations as two-way transactions, where the order of different actions can be flexible, and actors can influence the overall result more than once

OBJECTIVE

F-35 AND A FIFTH GENERATION AIR FORCE

CONCLUSION