Mike Gruss, Editor-in-Chief, Sightline Media Group

Greater levels of complexity in defense and weapons systems have ignited new calls for a common DoD “data fabric”, an information superhighway that would allow for more robust sharing of engineering specs and metadata among battlefield systems that have historically been incompatible. In this panel, we’ll examine service-led efforts to establish a common data fabric, the key considerations in setting such parameters and how they help advance JADC2 functionality.

To achieve the Pentagon’s ambitious JADC2 information environment, the Army is modernizing its tactical network by investing in new capability sets that make use of “commercial solutions informed by soldier-led experimentation.” These capability sets, released at a two-year cadence, could potentially reshape the nature of battlefield collaboration and information mobility. With a focus on unified network, the common operating environment, joint/coalition interoperability and command post mobility, the arrangement is expected to rapidly accelerate development and approval of requirements as well as encourage open architecture standards that capitalize on the latest industry innovations. With Capability Sets 23 and 25 on the horizon, we’ll take a closer look at progress on these measures and the impact the service’s experimental approach is having on the battlefield. 

Whether tracking satellites in medium-earth orbit or monitoring for signs of incoming missiles closer to the surface, expanding visibility of the space domain is a top objective for the Defense Department. In this panel, we’ll look at how the military is improving its ability to observe what’s happening in orbit — from signals captured by terrestrial sensors to satellites stationed at the edge of Earth’s atmosphere, along with the data fusion and transport required to make sense of it all.

As networked communications become a priority, the military sees understanding, combatting and even carrying out electronic warfare as necessary to establish information dominance on the battlefield. Controlling the flow of information is a major tactical advantage, and securing communications while disrupting those of adversaries can be the difference between winning and losing. In this panel, experts discuss the tactics and tools available to gain an edge in electronic warfare.

The U.S. military has long enjoyed a technological edge over its adversaries. But that edge is being eroded due to the continuing democratization of information and manufacturing technologies. Near-peer adversaries like Russia and China are taking advantage of new avenues to develop and manufacture technology to close the gap. How is the U.S. responding through organizations such as DARPA, DIU and the AFRL, which have helped maintain that technological edge through research, development and iteration? This panel will discuss what the U.S. needs to do to continue to maintain a tactical advantage through technology.

Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein, Commander, Space Systems Command, U.S. Space Force

Artificial intelligence is a critical component of next-generation data management, training, modeling and simulations. Finding the right leaders to implement AI successfully is critical to the Department of Defense’s long-term plans. To that end, the DoD has created the position of Chief Digital and AI Officer. This panel discussion will examine what the DoD must do to successfully implement AI across all branches of the military.