Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.10, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Joint Air Power Competence Centre NATO's Advocate to Air and Space Power ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.japcc.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Pages - [Homepage](https://www.japcc.org/) - Our multinational team of subject matter experts from across all military services provides the Alliance with recognized expertise, experience, and in-depth knowledge committed to delivering effective solutions for the Alliance through independent thought and analysis. - [Events](https://www.japcc.org/events/) - Homebase > Events Events We are committed to enhancing NATO Joint Air and Space Power by promoting networking and collaboration among key decision-makers and subject matter experts. To achieve this, we host a range of events, including conferences, working groups, and expert meetings. Our three major annual events are the Joint Air Power Conference, the - [Competencies](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/) - Our multinational team of subject matter experts from across all military services provides the Alliance with recognized expertise, experience, and in-depth knowledge committed to delivering effective solutions for the Alliance through independent thought and analysis. - [Publications](https://www.japcc.org/publications/) - Our diverse online publication archives and academic material are professionally produced to communicate effectively and be recognised as a reliable and professional resource. - [JAPCC Tactical Data Link Campaign](https://www.japcc.org/tdl/) - JAPCC Tactical Data Link Campaign Connecting the Alliance at Every Level More JAPCC Tactical Data Link Campaign Connecting the Alliance at Every Level Taking the Digital High Ground with Multi-Tactical Datalink Integration The JAPCC Directorate has approved the Tactical Data Link (TDL) campaign to support the TDL community. The campaign is introduced through a six-page - [Conference](https://www.japcc.org/conference/) - The Joint Air and Space Power Conference 2026 will take place from 22 to 24 September 2026 at the ‘Grugahalle’ in Essen, Germany. - [About Us](https://www.japcc.org/about-us/) - The JAPCC, as a team of multinational experts, is to provide key decision-makers effective solutions on Air and Space Power challenges, in order to safeguard NATO and the Nations’ interests. - [Legal Notice & Disclaimer](https://www.japcc.org/disclaimer/) - Homebase > Legal Notice & Disclaimer Legal Notice & Disclaimer AcceptanceBy accessing and browsing the Joint Air Power Competence Centre’s website or by using and or downloading any content from this website, you agree to and accept the terms and conditions as set forth below.ContentThis homepage and its content – unless stated otherwise – are - [Conference Fee Payment Options](https://www.japcc.org/conference/pay/) - Joint Air and Space Power Conference 2026 Conference Fee Payment Options Homebase > Conference > Conference Fee Payment Options We are pleased to offer several secure payment options to facilitate your registration. You may complete your payment online via credit card or bank transfer using the details and instructions below. These online options allow for - [Conference Agenda](https://www.japcc.org/conference/conference-agenda/) - Joint Air and Space Power Conference 2026 Conference Agenda Homebase > Conference > Conference Agenda Please note that this agenda may be subject to change. Please re-visit this page for the latest version. Conference Agenda 2026 22 September 2026 17.00 – 18.00 hrs Registrations 18.00 – 21.00 hrs Icebreaker 23 September 2026 08.00 – 09.00 - [Request for Support](https://www.japcc.org/rfs/) - Homebase > Request for Support Request for Support Collaboration has never been easier The focus of JAPCC activities is guided by the Programme of Work (PoW), which encompasses over 130 active items. The PoW is shaped by the Steering Committee, which ratified JAPCC’s ‘focus areas’ to align with the core concept of NATO accredited Centres - [Exhibitor Information](https://www.japcc.org/conference/exhibitor-information/) - The Joint Air and Space Power Conference offers a splendid opportunity to discuss imminent and future challenges in the Air and other interconnected domains. - [Newsletter](https://www.japcc.org/newsletter/) - Homebase > Newsletter Newsletter Service Stay informed about our products To keep you up to date, we offer a newsletter service. Please enter your email address in the form below and choose which information you would like to receive. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time or change your choice as needed. After - [Privacy Policy](https://www.japcc.org/privacy/) - Homebase > Privacy Policy Privacy Policy Our Privacy Policy describes to those individuals that interact with us, either through the website or otherwise, how and why we process their personal data and what rights they have in relation to their personal data. What is this notice and why should you read it? This privacy notice - [Panel 4](https://www.japcc.org/conference/panel-4/) - Joint Air and Space Power Conference 2026 Panel 4 Homebase > Conference > Conference Panels > Panel 4 The Human Frontier: Training and Operating at Technology’s Edge This panel examines the Human Frontier: whether NATO air forces are adapting their people, training, and institutions at the same pace as rapid technological change. As AI-enabled systems, - [Panel 3](https://www.japcc.org/conference/panel-3/) - Joint Air and Space Power Conference 2026 Panel 3 Homebase > Conference > Conference Panels > Panel 3 The Resilient Edge: Agile Logistics and Infrastructure This panel examines “the Resilient Edge”: the logistics, infrastructure, and sustainment foundations that allow NATO air power to remain credible in contested, degraded, and operationally restricted environments. As the Alliance - [Panel 2](https://www.japcc.org/conference/panel-2/) - Joint Air and Space Power Conference 2026 Panel 2 Homebase > Conference > Conference Panels > Panel 2 Blue in the Grey Zone: Air Power in Hybrid Conflict The second panel will examine how air power contributes to deterrence and defence below the threshold of armed conflict—where hybrid tactics exploit ambiguity, deny attribution, and seek - [Panel 1](https://www.japcc.org/conference/panel-1/) - Joint Air and Space Power Conference 2026 Panel 1 Homebase > Conference > Conference Panels > Panel 1 NATO’s 360º View: Flanks, Fronts, and Frontiers This opening panel frames NATO’s 360-degree challenge by examining the flanks, fronts, and frontiers most likely to shape the future security environment. While the Eastern Flank remains a critical focus, ## Training Events - [2026.08.4](https://www.japcc.org/training-events/2026-08-4/) - [2026.08.3](https://www.japcc.org/training-events/2026-05-2/) - [2026.08.2](https://www.japcc.org/training-events/2026-08-2/) - [2026.08.1](https://www.japcc.org/training-events/2026-08-1/) - [2026.11.4](https://www.japcc.org/training-events/2026-11-4/) - [2026.11.3](https://www.japcc.org/training-events/2026-11-3/) - [2026.10.2](https://www.japcc.org/training-events/2026-10-2/) - [2026.12.1](https://www.japcc.org/training-events/2026-12-1/) - [2026.11.2](https://www.japcc.org/training-events/2026-11-2/) - [2026.07.3](https://www.japcc.org/training-events/2026-07-3/) - [2026.07.2](https://www.japcc.org/training-events/2026-07-2/) - [2026.11.1](https://www.japcc.org/training-events/2026-11-1-2/) ## Downloads - [Drone Drills - Presentation with Speaking Notes](https://www.japcc.org/downloads/drone-drills-presentation-with-speaking-notes/) - [Drone Drills - Drone Incident Assembly Point Sign (Different Image Formats)](https://www.japcc.org/downloads/drone-drills-drone-incident-assembly-point-sign-different-image-formats/) - [Drone Drills Annex G - Prepare for Drones Poster](https://www.japcc.org/downloads/drone-drills-annex-g-prepare-for-drones-poster-2/) - [Drone Drills Annex G - Prepare for Drones Poster](https://www.japcc.org/downloads/drone-drills-annex-g-prepare-for-drones-poster/) - [Drone Drills Annex F - Drone Warning and Alarm Poster](https://www.japcc.org/downloads/drone-drills-annex-f-drone-warning-and-alarm-poster-2/) - [Drone Drills Annex F - Drone Warning and Alarm Poster](https://www.japcc.org/downloads/drone-drills-annex-f-drone-warning-and-alarm-poster/) - [Drone Drills Annex C - Guidelines for Conducting a Drone Drill](https://www.japcc.org/downloads/drone-drills-annex-c-guidelines-for-conducting-a-drone-drill/) - [Drone Drills Annex B - Drone Incident After Action Report](https://www.japcc.org/downloads/drone-drills-annex-b-drone-incident-after-action-report/) - [Drone Drills Annex A - Drone Sighting Report Sheet](https://www.japcc.org/downloads/drone-drills-annex-a-drone-sighting-report-sheet/) ## Online Feature - [Why NATO Needs a Federated EW Cloud Architecture](https://www.japcc.org/online-feature/why-nato-needs-a-federated-ew-cloud-architecture/) - Introduction The modern electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) is dynamic and can be denied, degraded, or disrupted without warning. A growing gap exists between NATO’s ability to fuse, disseminate, and exploit electromagnetic information and the demands of a future, heavily contested electromagnetic environment. The shortfall is not the absence of data, but the difficulty of federating, processing, - [Rebalancing Combat Aviation Training](https://www.japcc.org/online-feature/rebalancing-combat-aviation-training/) - Introduction Combat pilots have always preferred to fly, and throughout history that preference has shaped how militaries train. However, for the past several decades, simulator training has supplemented live flight hours. As synthetic environments grow in fidelity and scope, the question is no longer whether live flying matters, but whether a training model built around - [Advancing Human–Machine Teaming: A Collaborative Study by JAPCC and NATO C2COE](https://www.japcc.org/online-feature/advancing-human-machine-teaming-a-collaborative-study-by-japcc-and-nato-c2coe/) - Finding pathways for Human–Machine Teaming in Command and Control at Operational Level: Taking Advantage of Both the Best Humans Can Offer and Machines Can Provide This paper represents a close collaborative effort between JAPCC and the NATO Command and Control Centre of Excellence (C2COE) to explore how Human–Machine Teaming (HMT) can strengthen Command and Control - [Run-Up to the NATO Summit](https://www.japcc.org/online-feature/run-up-to-the-nato-summit/) - Both authors write this contribution in their capacity as a Staff Officer and Visiting Expert at the NATO Command and Control Centre of Excellence (C2COE), with the support of the organization. While the content reflects their professional perspectives, any errors or omissions are the sole responsibility of the authors. Introduction The Netherlands is preparing to - [Calculating The True Value of Air Defence](https://www.japcc.org/online-feature/calculating-the-true-value-of-air-defence/) - It’s not about the cost of a missile against a drone, but the value of the ships that survive and keeping sea-lanes open. The Russo-Ukraine war, coupled with Houthi rebels’ attacks on merchant shipping in the Red Sea, demonstrate the tremendous cost imposed by using advanced air defence systems to engage cheap attack drones. While - [Ramstein Flag 2024](https://www.japcc.org/online-feature/ramstein-flag-2024/) - Introduction NATO conducted its first Ramstein Flag (RAFL) in Greece from 30 September to 11 October 2024. The exercise was spearheaded by NATO Allied Air Command, conducted across Greek airspace, and represents a transformative step in the Alliance’s combat readiness. This year’s RAFL24 united over 130 aircraft from 12 NATO nations to engage in advanced - [Introducing NATO’s New UAS Training Methodology](https://www.japcc.org/online-feature/mtcc/) - Introduction In recent years, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have become essential to military and civilian operations worldwide. These systems offer unprecedented capabilities in surveillance, intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and combat missions. As the use of UAS expands, ensuring that the operators and pilots1 of these systems are well-trained has become increasingly important. NATO’s Joint Capability Group - [The Multinational Joint Warfare Centre](https://www.japcc.org/online-feature/the-multinational-joint-warfare-centre/) - Introduction The modern battlefield dynamics are changing as much and as rapidly as the requirements of the forces operating in it. Thus, the training and exercises required to ensure the operational readiness of forces demands continuous and timely adaptation. The Multinational Joint Warfare Centre (MJWC) was established on 20 March 2015 at the Atatürk Wargaming - [The new NATO Space Centre of Excellence](https://www.japcc.org/online-feature/the-new-nato-space-centre-of-excellence/) - Over decades, Space has taken an increasingly important role in all the aspects of our daily life. As a result, we are now permanently connected to and through ‘Space’. The strategic features of Space have evolved from being very important at the early stages of the adventure, especially in terms of power credibility, to being - [It’s a Question of Gender!](https://www.japcc.org/online-feature/its-a-question-of-gender/) - ‘Gender-inclusive language is about writing and speaking in a way that does not discriminate or marginalize on the basis of gender and does not promote or perpetuate gender stereotypes. Therefore, using gender-inclusive language proactively and consistently is imperative for furthering gender equality in the workplace and for creating an inclusive working environment for all staff - [MDO: What’s in a Name?](https://www.japcc.org/online-feature/mdo-whats-in-a-name/) - What started years ago as an operational answer to counter the Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) threat has become one of the most challenging endeavours NATO has ever undertaken. The challenges posed by the A2/AD posture represent the manifestation of the changing and unpredictable battlespace of the future. This multi-layered, multi-threat, highly dynamic, omnidirectional, and far-reaching multi-domain - [Beyond the Blue](https://www.japcc.org/online-feature/beyond-the-blue/) - Joint Air Power Competence Centre’s journey to Space began at its establishment in 2005 with the recognition that Space is a critical domain, enabling the application of military power across all domains. The 2008 whitepaper ‘NATO Space Operations Assessment’ was the first major JAPCC publication on NATO’s challenges in Space. Since then, our centre has ## Conference Proceedings - [Conference Proceedings 2025](https://www.japcc.org/proceedings/conference-proceedings-2025/) - Disrupting Dominance: Imperatives from the 2025 JAPCC Conference The security landscape is shifting with unprecedented speed, and with it, the very foundations of NATO's long-held air and space dominance are cracking. This was the unambiguous message at the heart of the 2025 Joint Air and Space Power Conference. In a fitting commemoration of the 20th - [Conference Proceedings 2023](https://www.japcc.org/proceedings/conference-proceedings-2023/) - Introduction The Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) Conference, which took place in Essen, Germany, from 10–12 October 2023, focused on the important task of Enhancing Deterrence and Defence within NATO. The conference aimed to explore how Joint Air Power can be utilized as a decisive tool and primary enabler to achieve Alliance objectives. These - [Conference Proceedings 2017](https://www.japcc.org/proceedings/conference-proceedings-2017/) - Introduction The 2017 Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) Air and Space Power Conference was held between 10 and 12 October in Messe Essen, Germany. The Conference boasted 300 participants including senior military leaders, NATO staff, non-governmental organizations, defence industry officials and staff from 27 different nations, all of whom contributed to the discussion on - [Conference Proceedings 2018](https://www.japcc.org/proceedings/conference-proceedings-2018/) - Introduction From 9 to 11 October 2018, the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) held its Annual Air and Space Power Conference in Essen, Germany. The conference was attended by more than 280 participants, including four NATO Air Chiefs and 55 General Officers, Flag Officers and senior civilian executives. Attendees also included members of several - [Conference Proceedings 2019](https://www.japcc.org/proceedings/conference-proceedings-2019/) - Introduction The JAPCC Conference, held in Essen, Germany from 8–10 October 2019, concerned itself with Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). This paper aims to capture key messages from the conference. Rather than producing a chronological record of these discussions, it will introduce them thematically. There were several recurring key themes across the two days of the conference. - [Conference Proceedings 2020](https://www.japcc.org/proceedings/conference-proceedings-2020/) - Conference 2020 Cancelled Due to the global COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, the Joint Air Power Competence Centre had to take the decision to cancel the JAPCC Annual Joint Air & Space Power Conference scheduled for 8 –10 December 2020 in Essen, Germany. Protecting the health, safety, and well-being of our attendees is paramount. How NATO and - [Conference Proceedings 2021](https://www.japcc.org/proceedings/conference-proceedings-2021/) - Introduction We are delighted to provide you with the 2021 Joint Air and Space Power Conference Proceedings for the conference, which was held 7-9 September 2021 in Essen, Germany. The JAPCC conference brings together innovative academics and military experts in the field of Joint Air and Space Power. The conference's primary goal was to address - [Conference Proceedings 2014](https://www.japcc.org/proceedings/conference-proceedings-2014/) - The 2014 Joint Air Power Competence Centre Conference was held between 18 and 20 November in Kleve, Germany. It explored the ideas and conclusions from the JAPCC Future Vector Project and debated where NATO air and space power should aim to develop to meet the challenges unfolding in the wake of operations in Afghanistan and - [Conference Proceedings 2015](https://www.japcc.org/proceedings/conference-proceedings-2015/) - Introduction The 2015 Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) Conference was held between 23 and 25 November in Essen, Germany. It explored the broad themes of Strategic Communications with specific regard to NATO air power. It considered whether NATO’s air power capabilities and messages were well understood and were being adequately conveyed to a variety - [Conference Proceedings 2016](https://www.japcc.org/proceedings/conference-proceedings-2016/) - Introduction The 2016 Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) Conference was held between 4th and 6th October in Essen, Germany. It considered whether NATO’s employment of airpower over the past two decades in operations where environmental conditions have been neither contested nor congested had resulted in a reduced level of preparedness – both doctrinally and ## Essays - [‘The Next Ten Years’ Thought Experiment](https://www.japcc.org/essays/the-next-ten-years-thought-experiment/) - NATO Allies represent 50% of the world’s economic power. And 50% of the world’s military might. Throughout its 75 years, NATO has always adapted to the changing security climate. It takes leadership to explain the tough choices. Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, at the Berlin Security Conference, 20 November 2024 Introduction - [Reshaping NATO’s Innovation Cycles](https://www.japcc.org/essays/reshaping-natos-innovation-cycles/) - Introduction The rapid emergence of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, hypersonic weapons, and cyber warfare capabilities, has drastically transformed the battlefield at an unprecedented pace. Traditional military procurement and innovation cycles are often slow and bureaucratic, making it difficult for NATO to keep up with adversaries that leverage agile development strategies. - [The Tech Horizon](https://www.japcc.org/essays/the-tech-horizon/) - Introduction The rapid evolution of disruptive military technologies is reshaping the operational landscape of modern warfare. Emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP), hypersonic weapons, and space warfare capabilities will continue to influence the design, employment, command and control (C2), and survivability of future air and space assets. To remain effective - [Dominance Disrupted](https://www.japcc.org/essays/dominance-disrupted/) - It’s our airpower, the next generation of it, and our ability to project it that will be the decisive factor in whether or not we truly deter our peer [adversaries] of the 21st century. The Honorable Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of Defence, 19 March 2025 A government's principal role is to provide for common defence, - [Battlefield Evolution: The Role of Joint Air and Space Power in Contemporary Conflict](https://www.japcc.org/essays/battlefield-evolution-the-role-of-joint-air-and-space-power-in-contemporary-conflict/) - Introduction Enhancements in connectivity have significantly evolved warfare with regards to the variety of means and their speed in creating effects in the physical, virtual, and cognitive dimensions. Connectivity has always existed in various forms to relay commanders’ orders and ingest intelligence from the battlefield, but the current operating environment requires distributed and diverse pathways - [The Role of Industry](https://www.japcc.org/essays/the-role-of-industry/) - Introduction At the 2014 Wales Summit, NATO Allies adopted the Defence Investment Pledge.1 This pledge declared the importance of defence spending in the modern era, specifically emphasizing the allocation of at least 20% of defence expenditures towards investments in new equipment, including mandating essential research and development (R&D) to propel these advancements. The new 20% - [Challenged Air Superiority](https://www.japcc.org/essays/challenged-air-superiority/) - Introduction The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has challenged current capabilities and military planner’s assumptions, highlighting the ever-evolving nature of warfare, where superiority is achieved by staying ‘one step ahead’ of the adversary. Observing the conduct of the Russo-Ukraine war, it has become evident that the notion of air superiority, a cornerstone of Western military strategy, - [A World Reshaped](https://www.japcc.org/essays/a-world-reshaped/) - Introduction As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of NATO, let us take the time to reflect on the complex, dynamic, multipolar world in which the Alliance finds itself. The ever-evolving security landscape, beset on multiple fronts and domains by Russian aggression in Europe, multiple crisis in the Middle East, and increasing tensions - [Enhancing Resilience in NATO’s Air and Space Power to Generate Deterrence and Defence in an Interdependent World](https://www.japcc.org/essays/enhancing-resilience-in-natos-air-and-space-power-to-generate-deterrence-and-defence-in-an-interdepended-world/) - Introduction The 2023 JAPCC Conference’s theme, ‘Enhancing Deterrence and Defence through Joint Air and Space Power – credible, capable and available’, is a promising subject that allows a reflection on all aspects of Air Power (AP) that contribute to one of NATO’s three core tasks, namely Deterrence and Defence. This article aims to stimulate thoughts - [Organizing Logistics for Future Collective Defence](https://www.japcc.org/essays/organizing-logistics-for-future-collective-defence/) - The Challenge for Future Logistics Logistics is the cornerstone of all NATO operations but is often a secondary planning discussion after the staff plans the execution portion of an operation. According to NATO doctrine (AJP-5), ‘Logistics frequently shapes the design of operations.’1 However, AJP-5 does not address logistics in operations planning until Course-of-Action (COA) analysis since - [Achieving Sustainable Air and Space Readiness in the Light of the Ukrainian War](https://www.japcc.org/essays/achieving-sustainable-air-space-readiness-in-the-light-of-the-ukrainian-war/) - Introduction In the dynamic and ever-evolving strategic landscape, NATO continually adjusts its Military Instrument of Power via the ‘Concept for Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area’, and the ‘NATO Warfighting Capstone Concept’. As a military Alliance, NATO’s primary objective is to provide credible deterrence and defence, recognizing deterrence as the most effective means of - [Transparent Stakeholder and Multinational Collaboration](https://www.japcc.org/essays/transparent-stakeholder-and-multinational-collaboration/) - Introduction The European defence system is finally evolving, accelerated by the growing need for effective, efficient, and sustainable air and space capabilities. At the same time, in light of the war against Ukraine, various shortcomings in Europe’s defence, industrial and technological capabilities have suddenly become tangible. Simultaneously, a geopolitical power shift is happening that has - [Ensuring the Availability of Capability](https://www.japcc.org/essays/ensuring-the-availability-of-capability/) - ‘Invincibility lies in defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.’ Sun Tzu There is no longer such a thing as a Rear Area, only a single Contiguous Battlespace that covers all dimensions concurrently, including the Electromagnetic Spectrum. Potential adversaries are demonstrating their willingness to break international law in pursuit of their agendas and will - [NATO Space Deterrence – Defence through the Lens of DIME](https://www.japcc.org/essays/nato-space-deterrence-defence-through-the-lens-of-dime/) - Introduction When discussing deterrence, one must first understand what it is. Deterrence can be described as a strategy aimed at dissuading potential adversaries from taking aggressive actions or pursuing hostile policies by convincing them that the costs, risks, and consequences of such actions outweigh the potential benefits. It seeks to shape the decision-making calculus of - [The Relevance of Superior Joint Air and Space Power Technology in NATO’s Defence](https://www.japcc.org/essays/the-relevance-of-superior-joint-air-and-space-power-technology-in-natos-defence/) - Introduction Evolution in the military is driven by the need to defend yourself and defeat your enemy, sometimes at all costs. The victor, in general, first develops a military force capable of evolving and incorporating new technologies at a scale superior to his competitors or adversaries. In the past few centuries in particular, military engineers - [The Relevance of Quantity in Modern Conflict](https://www.japcc.org/essays/the-relevance-of-quantity-in-modern-conflict/) - Introduction On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale war on Ukraine. Various experts and analysts predicted the outnumbered Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) would last only a few days against the overwhelming Russian forces. Things turned out differently. After one year of fighting, the Russian Federation Armed Forces (RFAF) losses were high. About 200,000 Russian - [What Happened at NATO’s Vilnius Summit?](https://www.japcc.org/essays/what-happened-at-natos-vilnius-summit/) - Q1: What is the status of Ukraine’s bid to join NATO? A1: The position held by the alliance on Ukraine’s NATO application2 was the key question ahead of the Vilnius summit. While imminent membership was not in the cards, as all parties, including Ukraine3, had already agreed to wait until the war ends, President Zelensky at least - [NATO Deterrence and Defense: Military Priorities for the Vilnius Summit](https://www.japcc.org/essays/nato-deterrence-and-defense-military-priorities-for-the-vilnius-summit/) - Article Courtesy of Atlantic Council Introduction At the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s July summit in Vilnius, the focus will necessarily be on support to Ukraine. But as NATO’s Strategic Concept makes clear, the Alliance also needs to respond to a broader set of challenges, with those arising from Russia particularly acute. This issue brief focuses - [Sharing Cyber Capabilities within the Alliance](https://www.japcc.org/essays/sharing-cyber-capabilities-within-the-alliance/) - Introduction Sharing cyber weapon/cyber capabilities requires trust between the member states, becoming a high-end policy decision due to the concerns of proliferation and the investment in designing a cyber-weapon that has a limited ’shelf-life’. The digital nature of cyber weapons creates a challenge. A cyber weapon can spread quickly, either self-propagating such as worms or - [The Multi-Domain Combat Cloud in Light of Future Air Operations](https://www.japcc.org/essays/the-multi-domain-combat-cloud-in-light-of-future-air-operations/) - Introduction Much has been published on new operational concepts to re-enhance Western air superiority when facing threats posed by peer or near-peer competitors with long-range and precise fires. Most experts advocate for a much more integrated force approach to impose multiple military dilemmas on opponents at a high tempo. Network-collaborated manned and unmanned assets will - [Adversarial Machine Learning](https://www.japcc.org/essays/adversarial-machine-learning/) - Introduction The rapid progress in computer vision made possible by deep learning techniques has favoured the large diffusion of appli­cations based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The ability to analyse different kinds of images and data from heterogeneous sensors is making this technology particularly interesting for military and defence appli­cations. However, these machine learning techniques were - [Terabytes of Unprocessed Data or Superior Pieces of Info](https://www.japcc.org/essays/terabytes-of-unprocessed-data-or-superior-pieces-of-info/) - ISR: from Data to Comprehension The info-operational environment in which we are immersed is characterized by conflicts that span the entire spectrum of the competition continuum,1 including all possible combinations of conventional, asymmetric and hybrid operations. Our military organizations have faced the changing intelligence and C2 environments by evolving a specific guideline: enhancing the information - [Developing an Operational Framework to Enable Interoperable Allied NATO Responsive Space Activities](https://www.japcc.org/essays/developing-an-operational-framework-to-enable-interoperable-allied-nato-responsive-space-activities/) - Introduction With NATO facing a contested space domain, members have begun exploring responsive space capabilities that enable rapid deployment of space assets providing critical Data, Products, and Services (DPS). As explained by US Army General James Dickinson of the US Space Command (USSPACECOM), ‘During conflict, the ability to rapidly reconstitute degraded systems within hours forces - [Deterrence in the Space Domain](https://www.japcc.org/essays/deterrence-in-the-space-domain/) - The Need for Understanding Deterrence in the Space Domain At Brussel’s NATO Summit in 2020, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg launched the #NATO 2030 effort remarking that ­‘resilience – be it infrastructure, telecommunications, 5G or healthcare, access to protective equipment – all of that matters for the civilian society, but it actually also matters for - [Thresholds in Cyber and in Space](https://www.japcc.org/essays/thresholds-in-cyber-and-in-space/) - Introduction On January 17th of 2022, NATO published its ‘Overarching Space Policy’,1 laying down the Alliance’s understanding and posture with regard to space. This policy document is a direct follow up to the 2021 NATO summit in Brussels and integrated the statement of the summit’s communiqué regarding Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty2 with - [The Cyber and Information Domain and the Space Domain: Links and Interdependencies](https://www.japcc.org/essays/the-cyber-and-information-domain-and-the-space-domain-links-and-interdependencies/) - Introduction For a long time in NATO’s history, the three traditional operational domains – Land, Sea and Air – were the basis for deriving the necessary capabilities and providing the framework for both the strategic and operational approaches to warfare. More importantly, those three operational domains which are representing the physical environment were naturally the - [The New Era of Great Power Competition](https://www.japcc.org/essays/the-new-era-of-great-power-competition/) - Note: This article is an abridged version of ‘The New Era of Great Power Competition and the Biden Administration’, published in Joint Force ­Quarterly, N° 103, 4th Quarter 2021. Introduction The administration of President Joseph Biden began in early 2021 amid daunting domestic challenges and an evolving era of Great Power Competition (GPC). This era, - [Global Competition](https://www.japcc.org/essays/global-competition/) - Introduction In general, we tend to have a rather positive relationship with the idea of competition, which is broadly accepted in sports, school, professional life and society. Liberal democracies also distinctly favour the contest between individuals and political parties to achieve the best policy outcome for society and the state. Competition between states, however, rarely - [Tracing Opinio Juris in National Cyber Security Strategy Documents](https://www.japcc.org/essays/tracing-opinio-juris-in-national-cyber-security-strategy-documents/) - By Ann Väljataga, Law Researcher, NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. The article below is a summary of Ann ­Väljataga, ‘Tracing Opinio Juris in National Cyber Security Strategy Documents’, NATO CCD COE, Tallinn, 2018. In this study, Ann Väljataga, a law researcher at the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, reviews the national - [Cyberspace and Multi-Domain Operations](https://www.japcc.org/essays/cyberspace-and-multi-domain-operations/) - It has been two years since NATO recognized Cyberspace as a Domain of Operations1 (8 July 2016) and progress is being made along many lines of effort toward implementation, most of which are outlined in the Roadmap to Implement Cyberspace as a Domain of Operations.2 With respect to some other key efforts underway in parallel, - [Multi-Domain Operations and Counter-Space](https://www.japcc.org/essays/multi-domain-operations-and-counter-space/) - We need to train a Space Mission Force. We need our space operators focused on what to do in case of a threat and to operate through the threat environment. General John Hyten, April 2016 Courtesy of Small Wars Journal There is still much work needed for US forces to not be hamstrung by the - [Doolittle Series 18 - Multi-Domain Operations](https://www.japcc.org/essays/doolittle-series-18-multi-domain-operations/) - Courtesy of Air University Press, Web Edition, 9 January 2019, Lemay Center for Doctrine Development and Education Note: Except for the Assessment done by the JAPCC, below is a summary of the article from ‘Doolittle Series 18: Multi-Domain ­Operations’.1 A Table Top Exercise to Explore Multi-Domain Warfighter Concepts The Doolittle Series (DS18) was chartered by - [Training Joint Forces for Multi-Domain Operations](https://www.japcc.org/essays/training-joint-forces-for-multi-domain-operations/) - ‘I have instructed my staff to put large-scale, high intensity, all domains warfare against a near-peer adversary at the very heart of all our training from now on, and I am prepared to assume some risk in other areas to achieve this.’ SACEUR’s Annual Guidance on Education, Training, Exercises and Evaluation 2019 Introduction In 2013, - [Multi-Domain Operations and Challenges to Air Power](https://www.japcc.org/essays/multi-domain-operations-and-challenges-to-air-power/) - Introduction New concepts of operation, fuelled by technological advances, have facilitated interconnectivity across different domains of warfare. Consequently, this cross-domain interconnectivity now provides an opportunity to access objectives through non-linear (non-segregated) approaches. Indeed, the Alliance has a burgeoning opportunity to change how it reaches strategic objectives in a future conflict. More to the point, success - [Is Fluidity the Key to Effective Multi-Domain Operations?](https://www.japcc.org/essays/is-fluidity-the-key-to-effective-multi-domain-operations/) - Introduction Many will have heard the phrase ‘Flexibility is the Key to Air Power’. Some will have heard the corollary that ‘flexibility’ is too rigid a concept and that it is actually ‘fluidity’ that is required; this is my starting point – Fluidity is the key to Multi-Domain Operations. Domains Those reading this will likely - [The Complexity of Multi-Domain Operations](https://www.japcc.org/essays/the-complexity-of-multi-domain-operations/) - Courtesy of National Defense, NDIA’s Business & Technology Magazine For the US military to maintain its status as the greatest fighting force in the world, it must continue to learn and understand the Multi-Domain battlespace and significantly improve its operations across the entire range of military activity. It is widely believed that the US military - [Multi-Domain Operations](https://www.japcc.org/essays/multi-domain-operations/) - Courtesy of Air University Press. This essay is an abridged version of the article ‘Multi-Domain Operations – A Subtle but Significant Transition in Military Thought,’ published in The Air and Space Power Journal, Spring 2016. A Subtle but Significant Transition in Military Thought On 17 November 2011, Gen Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs - [Defining the ‘Domain’ in Multi-Domain](https://www.japcc.org/essays/defining-the-domain-in-multi-domain/) - Courtesy of Over the Horizon – Multi-Domain Operations & Strategy Multi-Domain’ is the word du jour of the defence enterprise. While there are plenty of philosophical discussions on the future of warfare, the important dialogue regarding the definition of domains have been largely untouched. There are a lot of smart people trying to wrap their - [What is a Multi-Domain Operation?](https://www.japcc.org/essays/what-is-a-multi-domain-operation/) - A Look at Differing Views on a Developing Concept The use of the term Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) has increased in popularity over the past decade as military services, those of the United States, in particular, have sought to codify their approach to warfare beyond the traditional confines of land, sea, and air. The term is - [Accelerating Multi-­Domain Operations: Evolution of an Idea](https://www.japcc.org/essays/accelerating-multi-domain-operations-evolution-of-an-idea/) - Courtesy of Modern War Institute at West Point Multi-Domain Battle has a clear origin. Stemming from the idea that disruptive technologies will change the character of warfare, it recognizes that the way armies will fight and win wars will also change. It also reflects the desire to replicate the success of Air Land Battle, which - [Leveraging Responsive Space and Rapid Reconstitution](https://www.japcc.org/essays/leveraging-responsive-space-and-rapid-reconstitution/) - Introduction As NATO’s reliance on Space-based Data, Products, and Services (DPS) grows, NATO member countries face a more contested Space domain with new kinetic and non-kinetic threats. While Space becomes increasingly contested, Space technology is simultaneously advancing with the proliferation of small satellites that are easily reconstitutable. The ability to affordably and responsively replace small - [Applied-Field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters](https://www.japcc.org/essays/applied-field-magnetoplasmadynamic-thrusters/) - The New Age of Space Situational Awareness The critical dependence of terrestrial defence applications on space assets and satellites has positioned space as the next frontier where the struggle for global dominance will take place. The rapidly evolving nature of satellite capabilities is defining the requirements of future defence space assets while the ever-growing popularity - [When Geopolitics Meets Technologies](https://www.japcc.org/essays/when-geopolitics-meets-technologies/) - Space Development in the South America Region South America as a geographical region and the individual nations, have traditionally been exploited by global powers because of their global position and abundant natural resources. However, South America is also challenged because it has not been able to develop a regional governance structure due to difficulties with - [Space Connectivity for Air Combat 2040](https://www.japcc.org/essays/space-connectivity-for-air-combat-2040/) - Introduction Connectivity is a key requirement for a Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The amount of secured information to be shared among forces is increasing. Data access and processing capability appear as a game-changer to improve situational awareness leading to decision and action superiority. The Space segment can be seen as a major cornerstone of - [Harnessing AI and Deep Learning](https://www.japcc.org/essays/harnessing-ai-and-deep-learning/) - Introduction Cyberattacks (with the objective of disrupt and degrade critical communications) on military and intelligence targets are long, incremental operations that precede kinetic military strikes by months or years. Detecting and defending this ‘cyber strike before the kinetic strike’ at scale requires a fundamentally different approach and coordinated response. This paper proposes an asymmetric engagement - [Exploiting AI in Command and Control of the Air Battlespace](https://www.japcc.org/essays/exploiting-ai-in-command-and-control-of-the-air-battlespace/) - Introduction Leveraging existing and emerging technologies is one of the Allied Command Transformation challenges, along the Innovation and Technology path of Warfare Development in NATO. ‘Experimentation and Demonstration’ is one of the work strands that accentuates the need to invest time and resources toward the capability development process.1 The German Air Force took the enterprising - [Potential Impact of Artificial Intelligence to C2 Systems](https://www.japcc.org/essays/potential-impact-of-artificial-intelligence-to-c2-systems/) - This paper is derived from the presentation ‘Potenziali impatti dell’applicazione dell’Intelligenza Artificiale nel Combat Management System’ held at Tiberio workshop, organized by Italian MoD, June 2019, Rome. Introduction In the frame of combat systems, the Command and Control System (C2) allows the Commander and their team to manage in near real-time: (i) system electronics, (ii) - [Is Human-On-the-Loop the Best Answer for Rapid Relevant Responses?](https://www.japcc.org/essays/is-human-on-the-loop-the-best-answer-for-rapid-relevant-responses/) - Introduction In this paper, we address three high-level questions that we recognize do not have clear answers as yet. Is a Human-On-the-Loop (HOTL) capability, giving user control only over autonomy planning, better at delivering Rapid Relevant Responses (R3) than Human-In-the-Loop (HITL), where the user has complete control to start or stop the automation? Can we - [Human-On-the-Loop](https://www.japcc.org/essays/human-on-the-loop/) - Introduction In light of today’s uncertainties, there is a shared realization that NATO’s Air supremacy which has underpinned military operations since the 1980s is no longer a given. The playing field is being levelled due to an increasing number of peer and near-peer threats from resurging and emerging potential opponents. This is accompanied by a - [Speeding Up the OODA Loop with AI](https://www.japcc.org/essays/speeding-up-the-ooda-loop-with-ai/) - Introduction Strategists, warfighters, and technologists have heralded Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a potential tactical and strategic tool for outpacing adversary decision-making processes, commonly seen through the frame of the OODA (Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act) loop. Conventional thinking posits that human-machine teams augmented by AI-enhanced technologies will be able act more quickly than opponents in - [Looking for a Few Good Operators](https://www.japcc.org/essays/looking-for-a-few-good-operators/) - Introduction In 2018, NATO called for the development of an overarching policy for Space, which was approved in June of 2019. Later that year the Alliance formally recognized Space as an operational domain alongside Air, Land, Sea, and Cyberspace.1 As NATO works to craft its joint approach to the Space domain, two Allies have created - [Battlespace Management Panel Introduction](https://www.japcc.org/essays/battlespace-management-panel-introduction/) - ‘We have to put aside the comfortable ways of thinking and planning, take risks and try new things so that we can prepare our forces to deter and defeat adversaries that have not yet emerged to challenge us.’1 Donald Rumsfeld, US Secretary of Defense, Feb 2002 Introduction According to Alliance Joint Doctrine, which describes how - [Multi-Domain Combat Cloud](https://www.japcc.org/essays/multi-domain-combat-cloud/) - Introduction ‘… lack of information sharing impedes operational effectiveness. Information sharing restrictions and national caveats limit interoperability solutions and reduce operational effectiveness across the domains.’1 This is one key finding of the Joint Air Power Strategy – Interoperability Study from January 2020. To overcome this shortfall, it requires a far higher level of automation and - [NATO Command and Control Resilience in Contested Environments](https://www.japcc.org/essays/nato-command-and-control-resilience-in-contested-environments/) - NATO’s C2 Challenge in Contested Environments Russia poses the most likely contested environment dilemma for NATO. Russian Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) tactics could limit NATO’s ability to establish strategic advantage at its doorstep even before a conflict, disrupting NATO efforts when ‘fait accompli’ scenarios erupt.1, 2 A2/AD prevents opponents from accessing key areas and denies manoeuvre, - [Dynamic C2 Synchronized Across Domains](https://www.japcc.org/essays/dynamic-c2-synchronized-across-domains/) - The Current Environment Since the end of the last century, we have witnessed new forms of crises appearing around the world both close to, and sometimes within, NATO territory. These events have the potential to rapidly evolve and escalate with little warning, making them difficult to predict and prepare for as an Alliance. The scope - [Remote Warfare and the Erosion of the Military Profession](https://www.japcc.org/essays/remote-warfare-and-the-erosion-of-the-military-profession/) - ‘… all our fine new technologies and fine new legal theories were blurring the boundaries of ‘war’, causing it to spread and ooze into everyday life.’ Rosa Brooks1 ‘I’d literally just walked out on dropping bombs on the enemy, and 20 minutes later I’d get a text – can you pick up some milk on - [Winning the Invisible War](https://www.japcc.org/essays/winning-the-invisible-war/) - Note: This article has been amended for use for this Read Ahead publication. The complete study can be accessed through https://csbaonline.org/uploads/documents/Winning_the_Invisible_War_WEB.pdf. Introduction The explosion of mobile communications and, most recently, the emerging Internet of Things are turning the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) into an increasingly crowded place. The advent of 5G, with its need for wide - [The Dimension of the Electromagnetic Spectrum](https://www.japcc.org/essays/the-dimension-of-the-electromagnetic-spectrum/) - Electromagnetic Spectrum Disciplines Apart from the traditional physical domains of Air, Land, and Maritime, in the last decade NATO has also declared Space and Cyberspace as domains of operations. While Electronic Warfare (EW) used to be the traditional warfighting element of the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS), the 21st century has ushered in a tremendous technology revolution leading - [Superiority in the Electromagnetic Spectrum Panel Introduction](https://www.japcc.org/essays/superiority-in-the-electromagnetic-spectrum-panel-introduction/) - ‘The EMS is the cross-domain and fundamental glue which binds the other operating domains of Air, Land, Maritime, Cyber, and Space.’1 Introduction The Joint Air & Space Power Conference 2021 will offer a platform to reflect upon various aspects of delivering NATO Air & Space Power at the Speed of Relevance. One of these aspects - [NATO Electronic Warfare and Cyberspace Resilience](https://www.japcc.org/essays/nato-electronic-warfare-and-cyberspace-resilience/) - Any organization needs to adapt to survive. NATO is no different. In the last two years working closely with the NATO Chiefs of Defence, our Alliance has delivered the first NATO Military Strategy since the 1960s. This provides the framework for NATO as a military Alliance. Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) is delivering the Deterrence - [Electronic Protective Measures](https://www.japcc.org/essays/electronic-protective-measures/) - The Confusion When most people think of EPM, they think about platform self-protection (such as jammers or chaff and flares), but that is incorrect. Jammers and the like are classified as Electronic Defence (ED). In contrast, EPM is about protecting our access to, and the ability to operate in, the electromagnetic spectrum, regardless of conditions - [Managing the Electromagnetic Spectrum](https://www.japcc.org/essays/managing-the-electromagnetic-spectrum/) - ‘Effectively, change is almost impossible without industry-wide collaboration, cooperation, and consensus.’ Simon Mainwaring Introduction NATO’s dependence on the EMS1 goes far beyond the four issues called out in the JAPCC 2021 Call for Papers. It is safe to say nearly all military operations being planned today are 100 % dependent on access to the spectrum. - [Space Panel Introduction](https://www.japcc.org/essays/space-panel-introduction/) - Introduction In 2020 the Joint Air & Space Power Conference will focus on how NATO leverages emerging technologies in support of Air & Space Power. Specifically, how do new capabilities operating in and through Space (NATO’s newest recognized operational domain) integrate into NATO Operations; both from a standpoint of additional capability contribution as well as - [From Satellite Generations to a Continuous Evolution](https://www.japcc.org/essays/from-satellite-generations-to-a-continuous-evolution/) - Introduction Classical developments of military technology and equipment follow a generational approach. For example, if a nation wants to develop a constellation of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) satellites which consists of 5 satellites, they usually develop the whole constellation, launch the satellites in a relatively short timeframe and operate it for a calculated lifespan - [Cyber Threats to Space Systems](https://www.japcc.org/essays/cyber-threats-to-space-systems/) - The Weaponization of Space: a Worrisome Trend Recent years have seen a growing arms-race in space, with nations striving to develop and test offensive space capabilities, and space force-building processes taking place within their militaries:1 In December 2018, the US Air Force’s National Air and Space Intelligence Center published a report, arguing that both China and - [Space Traffic Management](https://www.japcc.org/essays/space-traffic-management/) - As Space Actors Consolidate their Approaches to Space Traffic Management, What is the Role of the Military? Space Traffic Management (STM) is currently one of the hottest topics in space policy. While a consensual definition of the term is yet to emerge, it becomes increasingly clear that the international community has to find ways to - [Assured Access to Space](https://www.japcc.org/essays/assured-access-to-space/) - Introduction While the role of space in NATO’s operations has traditionally received much less attention than the alliance’s other domain responsibilities, NATO’s recent attention to space issues is a welcome change. The NATO Parliamentary Assembly stresses that ‘NATO’s collective defence and economic prosperity rely on space-based infrastructure, and an attack on the space assets of - [Space Situational Awareness](https://www.japcc.org/essays/space-situational-awareness/) - Safety and security have always played an essential role in Poland’s state strategy and policy. Although the activities related to Space Situational Awareness (SSA) have been present in Poland from the beginning of the space era, they had been practically constrained to Research and Development (R&D) only. The idea of building-up SSA operational capabilities at - [The Impact of Law on NATO’s Space Power at the Speed of Relevance](https://www.japcc.org/essays/the-impact-of-law-on-natos-space-power-at-the-speed-of-relevance/) - Introduction The Space security landscape has become increasingly complex and critical to operational success. Allied leaders have recognized Space as a highly dynamic and strategically relevant environment – critical to the Alliance’s core tasks of collective defence, crisis management, and cooperative security. In 2018 this led to NATO leaders agreeing to the development of an - [Outer Space, a Challenging Domain for Ambitious Defence Strategy](https://www.japcc.org/essays/outer-space-a-challenging-domain-for-ambitious-defence-strategy/) - Outer Space: A Warfighting Domain Space is vital for state security and scientific achievement. Moreover, Space-based capabilities are an integral part of our modern life and they are an essential component of nations’ (or national) military power because they provide efficiency and effectiveness to military operations. However, a new schema looms with increasing rivalries between - [NATO Space Panel Introduction](https://www.japcc.org/essays/nato-space-panel-introduction/) - Introduction Many of the most important activities supporting the planning and execution of military operations occur in what has been recently recognized as NATO’s highly dynamic and rapidly evolving fifth operational domain, Space. Space-based capabilities are a critical element of all modern militaries. The escalation in Space-related activities has resulted in Space becoming increasingly congested - [NATO Space](https://www.japcc.org/essays/nato-space/) - Introduction International cooperation in Space has never been more important than it is today. Chinese and Russian military Space activities present serious and growing threats to NATO’s security interests due to their development, testing, and destabilizing deployment of counterspace capabilities, along with their associated military doctrine for employment in conflict extending into Space. Although the - [The Role of Space Domain Awareness](https://www.japcc.org/essays/the-role-of-space-domain-awareness/) - Space … a Congested, Contested, and Competitive Domain In 2018, NATO leaders recognized that Space is a highly dynamic and rapidly evolving environment.1 As it has happened in other areas characterized by a rapid scientific development, Space technology has developed more quickly than the regulation of the use of Space. In fact, over the last - [Modular Satellite Manufacturing to Enhance Space Assets Resiliency](https://www.japcc.org/essays/modular-satellite-manufacturing-to-enhance-space-assets-resiliency/) - Introduction Space-based assets are a highly strategic element for advanced militaries, to provide critical intelligence as well as command and control. Though this has been accepted for quite some time, recent years have seen a number of countries take further organizational, policy, and operational steps to update their Space outlook. In 2019, Space was declared - [Chinese ‘High-Risk’ Corporate Space Actors](https://www.japcc.org/essays/chinese-high-risk-corporate-space-actors/) - Introduction A significant, and continuously increasing, number of Chinese enterprises are being sanctioned or officially designated as, in effect, ‘bad actors’ by the United States and Japan through such venues as the US Department of Defense Section 1237 List of ‘Communist Chinese Military Companies’ (CCMCs), the US Department of Commerce ‘Entity List’, the Treasury Department’s - [Implications of 5G to Air Power – A Cybersecurity Perspective](https://www.japcc.org/essays/implications-of-5g-to-air-power-a-cybersecurity-perspective/) - Introduction The next generation of wireless and mobile network, called 5G1, is expected to become the most important network of the 21st century and is predicted to have a decade-long impact. 5G’s deployment started in 2019, and since then a ‘race’ has been ongoing between governments, industries, and investors to be the first to build a - [Avoiding Cyber Forever Wars](https://www.japcc.org/essays/avoiding-cyber-forever-wars/) - Introduction Cyberspace is poised to be the next ‘forever war’ battleground unless US and NATO allies change course from the current balkanized, defence-prioritized posture and enact a unilateral deterrence strategy. Cyberspace as an operational domain is rife with peculiarities that create an advantageous battlespace for adversaries. The lack of traditional visibility, ease, and efficacy in - [Technology and Connectivity](https://www.japcc.org/essays/technology-and-connectivity/) - ‘Any Air Force which does not keep its doctrine ahead of its equipment, and its vision far into the future, can only delude the nation into a false sense of security.’ General Henry H. Arnold Introduction Air and Space Power (A & SP) are intrinsically linked with technology and connectivity, in fact, they are two - [Cyberspace and Joint Air and Space Power](https://www.japcc.org/essays/cyberspace-and-joint-air-and-space-power/) - Introduction When examining the Cyberspace Domain where the projection of Air and Space power is concerned, it is just as relevant for mission success to maximize the defence of systems and information throughout the slow and arduous process of aerospace project delivery, as it is during the rapid and time-sensitive coordination and execution of Air - [New MALE Drone Capabilities with AI](https://www.japcc.org/essays/new-male-drone-capabilities-with-ai/) - Introduction With the current security challenges that Europe and NATO are facing, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) requirements have now grown well beyond traditional military needs. The resurgence of the Russian threat at NATO borders and the maritime domain demand the reestablishment of a persistent Joint ISR capability to give NATO the ability to collect - [Hypersonics: Changing the NATO Deterrence Game](https://www.japcc.org/essays/hypersonics-changing-the-nato-deterrence-game/) - Introduction As NATO ‘increases investment into innovation to harness the benefits and mitigate the risks of emerging technologies, such as hypersonic systems,’ will the current ‘balanced and defensive package of measures that ensure the credibility and effectiveness of our deterrence’1 defend against this new capability? The emergence of hypersonic weapons provides a new challenge to strategy - [Mega-Constellations](https://www.japcc.org/essays/mega-constellations/) - Technical Developments Emerging technologies offer wide opportunities for Space systems and their services. The ability to build spacecraft smaller and lighter due to technical developments have made Space activities more attractive to the commercial market. In addition launch costs for satellites have decreased considerably, while the number of potential launch providers has increased significantly. In - [Conflict Termination Criteria](https://www.japcc.org/essays/conflict-termination-criteria/) - Introduction The importance of outer space satellites and their supporting systems cannot be overstated. Their use in the civil, commercial and military worlds to provide communications, weather, navigation, timing, warning and Earth resources monitoring provides major advantages to those who employ the information generated by these systems. However, due to the global reach of these - [Information Environment Panel Introduction](https://www.japcc.org/essays/information-environment-panel-introduction/) - Introduction According to the US Department of Defense’s 2018 National Defense Strategy, ‘we are facing increased global disorder, characterized by decline in the long-standing rules-based international order – creating a security environment more complex and volatile than any we have experienced in recent memory. Inter-state strategic competition, not terrorism, is now the primary concern in - [Denial of Spectrum Denial](https://www.japcc.org/essays/denial-of-spectrum-denial/) - Spectrum and Electronic Warfare Defined The spectrum, or the electromagnetic spectrum, is the medium through which all radio, radar, cellular, wireless data, laser, and visual signals pass, therefore, it is where Electronic Warfare (EW) operates. The spectrum is categorized by frequencies and wavelengths used by each device to transmit and/or receive signals in the form of radiated - [Gaining Competitive Advantage in the Gray Zone](https://www.japcc.org/essays/gaining-competitive-advantage-in-the-gray-zone/) - Courtesy of the RAND Corporation.1 This is an excerpt from the main paper that can be accessed through www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR2942.html. Response Options for Coercive Aggression Below the Threshold of Major War The 2017 US National Security Strategy and the publicly released summary of the 2018 National Defense Strategy agree on one fundamental theme: The United States - [SACT’s Address NICC Warsaw](https://www.japcc.org/essays/sacts-address-nicc-warsaw/) - Online Article at: https://www.act.nato.int/application/files/1415/7290/8629/190925_nicc.pdf. SACT’s Address to The NATO Information and Communicators’ Conference (NICC), Warsaw, 23–27 September 2019 Ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to the 2019 NATO Information and Communicators’ Conference. This year, Allied Command Transformation is organizing this important event, and I want to thank our friends from Poland for hosting us in Warsaw. In - [DARPA Tiles Together a Vision of Mosaic Warfare](https://www.japcc.org/essays/darpa-tiles-together-a-vision-of-mosaic-warfare/) - Courtesy of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Online Article at: https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/darpa-tiles-together-a-vision-of-mosiac-warfare. The concept is called ‘Mosaic Warfare’. Like the ceramic tiles in mosaics, these individual warfighting platforms are put together to make a larger picture, or in this case, a force package. The idea will be to send so many weapon and sensor platforms at - [Building the Command and Control of the Future from the Bottom Up](https://www.japcc.org/essays/building-the-command-and-control-of-the-future-from-the-bottom-up/) - Courtesy of War on the Rocks, Web Edition, 16 January 2020. This article was published in War on the Rocks. https://warontherocks.com/2020/01/building-the-command-and-control-of-the-future-from-the-bottom-up/. Introduction We have seen the future of effective military command and control and it is only made possible by speed. In the future, adversaries will increasingly rely on machines rather than people for basic functions - [Future Developments Panel Introduction](https://www.japcc.org/essays/future-developments-panel-introduction/) - Introduction Many of today’s military conflicts are still largely contested with predominately Industrial Age forces and mind-set … both of which are increasingly changing. The exponential growth in technology, coupled with increasing applications, and understanding, of those technologies is rapidly changing the tools we use in our daily lives and in the conduct of military - [Forecasting Change in Military Technology, 2020-2040](https://www.japcc.org/essays/forecasting-change-in-military-technology-2020-2040/) - Note: This essay is an abridged version of the report ‘Forecasting change in military technology, 2020–2040,’ published September 2018 on the Brookings Institution website, www.brookings.edu. What changes are likely in military technology over the next 20 years? This question is fascinating on its own terms. More importantly, answering it is crucial for making appropriate changes - [Security Convergence for Air and Space Power](https://www.japcc.org/essays/security-convergence-for-air-and-space-power/) - Introduction Looking to the future, the commander of Allied Air Command called for increased efforts to achieve MDO – Multi-Domain Air and Space Operations.1 Although one of the goals of MDO is to increase resiliency, our reliance on technology to achieve multi-domain operations Command and Control (C2) without a corresponding focus on protection will increase - [Dynamic C2 Synchronized Across Domains Panel Introduction](https://www.japcc.org/essays/dynamic-c2-synchronized-across-domains-panel-introduction/) - Introduction In a world of greater competition, future peer adversary capabilities, including the threat posed to Alliance platforms from Air defence systems, will continue to develop and increase in lethality at a relentless pace. The concept of uncontested operating environments has been replaced by the new paradigm of a contested environment defended by adversary Anti - [Increasing NATO’s Resilience](https://www.japcc.org/essays/increasing-natos-resilience/) - Hybrid Warfare and Disinformation: NATO’s Soft Underbelly? While not quite a new phenomenon, hybrid warfare has been discussed in international forums since the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.1 However, since its outbreak, the COVID-19 pandemic has witnessed a surge in disinformation campaigns and attempts to control and sow false narratives, many of which targeted - [Policy and Strategy Panel Introduction](https://www.japcc.org/essays/policy-and-strategy-panel-introduction/) - Introduction As the Alliance seeks to build resilience both within the individual nations and across the command structure, synchronizing the focus and efforts for collective defence requires open dialogue and consensus on how to proceed together. The ability of the Alliance to harmonize its efforts and minimize force capability deficiencies is vital. This ability includes ## Conference Read Aheads - [Joint Air & Space Power Conference 2025 Read Ahead](https://www.japcc.org/read-aheads/joint-air-space-power-conference-2025-read-ahead/) - Esteemed Colleagues, Welcome to the 20th Anniversary JAPCC Conference. I am pleased to be in the chair once again as your moderator and look forward to what’s in store for us in the discussions ahead. It has been quite a year since our last conference, and indeed ‘Dominance Disrupted’ feels like the perfect description of - [Joint Air & Space Power Conference 2024 Read Ahead](https://www.japcc.org/read-aheads/joint-air-space-power-conference-2024-read-ahead/) - Esteemed Colleagues, It gives me great pleasure to return to Essen this year as Moderator for the 2024 JAPCC Conference. As I am sure you know, NATO celebrated its 75th anniversary in April. Much has happened since the 4th of April 1949 - not least NATO membership growing from the 12 founding members to the - [Joint Air & Space Power Conference 2023 Read Ahead](https://www.japcc.org/read-aheads/joint-air-space-power-conference-2023-read-ahead/) - Esteemed Colleagues, I am honoured to serve as your Moderator for the JAPCC Conference once again. For the second year in a row, we will convene amidst a major war being fought on the European mainland, right on NATO’s borders. Two years ago – a few months before Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine – the - [Joint Air & Space Power Conference 2021 Read Ahead](https://www.japcc.org/read-aheads/joint-air-space-power-conference-2021-read-ahead/) - Esteemed Colleagues, I am extremely excited about the prospect of participating in the JAPCC’s Joint Air & Space Power Conference this year. Much can be achieved, as we have all learnt, through online ‘virtual’ meetings, but we have also experienced their limitations when compared to meeting ‘in real life’. I am currently imagining being in - [Joint Air & Space Power Conference 2022 Read Ahead](https://www.japcc.org/read-aheads/joint-air-space-power-conference-2022-read-ahead/) - Esteemed Colleagues, There is little doubt today that we live in a time of renewed global competition between major state powers. This also means that we live in what is, potentially, an extremely hazardous age. In recent times, we have little to be thankful for from some of the so-called ‘Great Powers’. China (albeit most - [Joint Air & Space Power Conference 2019 Read Ahead](https://www.japcc.org/read-aheads/joint-air-space-power-conference-2019-read-ahead/) - Esteemed Colleagues, It is my privilege and pleasure to serve as your moderator for this year’s JAPCC Conference. As in previous years, the panels for this conference follow a logical progression. Panel one has the clear task of establishing a working definition of what we actually mean by the term ‘Multi-Domain Operations’ (MDO). It would - [Joint Air & Space Power Conference 2015 Read Ahead](https://www.japcc.org/read-aheads/joint-air-space-power-conference-2015-read-ahead/) - Foreword The Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) welcomes you to attend our 2015 Air and Space Power Conference in Essen, Germany, from 23 to 25 November 2015. The JAPCC is an accredited NATO Centre of Excellence which aims to provide key decision-makers with effective solutions on Air and Space Power challenges in order to - [Joint Air & Space Power Conference 2016 Read Ahead](https://www.japcc.org/read-aheads/joint-air-space-power-conference-2016-read-ahead/) - Dear Reader, It is my great privilege and pleasure to act as the moderator for this year’s Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) Conference, which will take place over the period 4–6 October 2016 in Essen, Germany. The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Preparing NATO for Joint Air Operations in a ­Degraded Environment.’ This - [Joint Air & Space Power Conference 2017 Read Ahead](https://www.japcc.org/read-aheads/joint-air-space-power-conference-2017-read-ahead/) - Dear Reader, It is my great privilege and pleasure to act as the moderator once again for the Joint Air Power Competence Centre’s (JAPCC) annual conference, which will take place over the period 10–12 October 2017 in Essen, Germany. The theme for this year’s Conference is: ‘The Role of Joint Air Power in NATO Deterrence’ - [Joint Air & Space Power Conference 2018 Read Ahead](https://www.japcc.org/read-aheads/joint-air-space-power-conference-2018-read-ahead/) - Esteemed Colleagues, It is my privilege and pleasure to serve as the moderator for this year’s Joint Air and Space Power Conference, which will be hosted by the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) 9–11 October 2018 in Essen, Germany. As you have already noted from the cover of this read-ahead, the theme of this - [Joint Air & Space Power Conference 2020 Read Ahead](https://www.japcc.org/read-aheads/joint-air-space-power-conference-2020-read-ahead/) - Esteemed Colleagues, When our way of life is threatened, we look to science and technology to save us. This is as true of our most current crisis – the Covid-19 pandemic – as it was of other global threats in the past – wars, famines, expansionist regimes and so on. The few paragraphs I have ## Reports - [Annual Report 2025](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2025/) - A Year of Strategic Impact In 2025, JAPCC delivered across every pillar of CoE work at higher tempo, and against a more demanding set of stakeholder requirements than in any previous year. The Annual Joint Air and Space Power Conference moved to the Grugahalle in Essen, expanding its capacity to reflect the Alliance’s growing appetite - [Annual Report 2024](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2024/) - Foreword This edition of the Annual Report provides a comprehensive overview of the significant developments, projects, and research accomplished by the JAPCC in 2024. It also offers a glimpse into the exciting work we have planned for 2025 and beyond. As the JAPCC Assistant Director, appointed in August 2024, I am honoured to carry forward - [Annual Report 2023](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2023/) - Foreword This edition of the Annual Report provides a comprehensive overview of the significant developments, projects, and research accomplished by the JAPCC in 2023. It also offers a glimpse into the exciting work we have planned for 2024 and beyond. The studies and articles published over the past year serve as a testament to the - [Annual Report 2022](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2022/) - Foreword Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on 24th February and the ongoing crimes committed against that sovereign state and its population are the defining geopolitical event of 2022. While NATO’s focus was under debate in 2021, the issue has since crystallized. Member states have moved closer together with renewed vigour and focus. Finland and Sweden - [Annual Report 2021](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2021/) - Foreword The Alliance faces a dynamic security environment that foreshadows a future battlespace more complex than ever before, requiring a new level of interoperability and joint effort. To account for this phenomenon, the Alliance identified measures to adapt within the NATO agenda 2030 and presents possibilities which will shape the future. Now more than ever, - [Annual Report 2008](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2008/) - Introduction In 2008, JAPCC built upon its hard-earned reputation as NATO’s pre-eminent think tank for developing and enhancing Joint Air and Space Power today and into the future. We continue to maintain a close relationship with both Allied Command Transformation and our Sponsoring Nations, providing timely and relevant advice and products. We are proud of - [Annual Report 2009](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2009/) - Introduction In 2009, the JAPCC built upon its hard-earned reputation as NATO’s pre-eminent advocate for the development and enhancement of Joint Air and Space Power today and into the future. The year started in fine fashion with our reaccreditation by HQ Allied Command Transformation – we were the first Centre of Excellence to undergo this - [Annual Report 2010](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2010/) - Introduction In 2010, we at the JAPCC took a hard look at ourselves to ensure that all of the work we undertake remains relevant to NATO and the Nations. If we are to do this effectively we must ­rigorously apply best practice to our research processes and to the presen­tation of our results so that - [Annual Report 2011](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2011/) - Introduction 2011 was a challenging year for the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC). We completed a number of important projects as well as sustained our participation in many NATO activities. Our annual conference was one of the year’s highlights along with a visit from a Russian ­Federation delegation. JAPCC also produced two Journals and - [Annual Report 2012](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2012/) - Introduction 2012 could well be entitled ‘The Year of Challenges’ for the Joint Air Power Competence Centre ­(JAPCC). The JAPCC faced some difficulties in accomplishing its mission to be the Air and Space Power Transfor­mation Agent for the Alliance and its Sponsoring Nations. Despite these challenges, the Centre of Excellence (CoE) finalised a number of - [Annual Report 2013](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2013/) - Introduction For the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC), 2013 can be characterized as a year of convergence. Many factors came together to shape the organization’s strategic direction. Fiscal constraints, reduced manning, evolving focus of effort, operational misalignment, fleeting relevance, and a challenging strategic environment are just a few of the significant forces which united - [Annual Report 2014](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2014/) - Foreword I am pleased to report that this was a terrific year for the JAPCC and for Joint Air and Space Power. The orga­nization published numerous studies that included action­able solutions for senior leaders within NATO. The precise application of combat power from the air has remained of the utmost importance to NATO since its - [Annual Report 2015](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2015/) - Foreword New security threats, particularly along our southern and eastern border, created a host of new challenges for NATO in 2015. The Joint Air Power Competence Centre has been at the forefront of those issues, helping the Alliance’s military leaders establish and adapt policies and procedures to address these needs. Over the following pages, the - [Annual Report 2016](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2016/) - Foreword We are very pleased to present the Annual Report of the JAPCC for 2016. We must praise the quality and dedication of the personnel contributed by our Sponsoring Nations to the JAPCC team. The very high standard of work they delivered has allowed the JAPCC to influence the development and transformation of NATO Joint - [Annual Report 2017](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2017/) - Foreword 2017 has provided fresh insight into what the JAPCC can offer to the Alliance, and it has been eye-opening. The quality of personnel contributed by our Sponsoring Nations is superb and the scope of effective solutions offered by this organization has been outstanding. We are extremely fortunate to have such a centre of excellence - [Annual Report 2018](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2018/) - Foreword Our defensive Alliance of 29 nations is the most power­ful in human history. Despite this, NATO faces a threatening, unpredictable and opaque security environ­ment that affects us beyond the borders of the North-Atlantic Area. In an unpredictable world, with a wide range of challenges and opportunities, NATO is determined to protect and defend our - [Annual Report 2019](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2019/) - Foreword Today, NATO Air Forces stand on the verge of the most meaningful transformation of technology and capability in our history, a transformation which continues to be enabled in part by the independent thought and analysis from the recognized air and space power experts in the Joint Air Power Competence Centre. This edition of the - [Annual Report 2020](https://www.japcc.org/reports/annual-report-2020/) - Foreword It is safe to say the Year 2020 was not what anyone expected it would be! We have all endured a very difficult global situation, with this ongoing pandemic affecting each of our Nations. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to everyone affected by this pandemic. In spite of these lingering challenges, we are ## Flyers - [Connecting the Alliance at Every Level](https://www.japcc.org/flyers/connecting-the-alliance-at-every-level/) - Without Connectivity, There is No Multi-Domain Operations. The rapid emergence of digitally enabled conflicts has forced the Alliance to confront a new reality: modern wars are no longer won by platforms alone. Speed, precision, and resilience of the networks that connect sensors, shooters, and decision-makers in all domains ultimately result in faster targeting cycles. Events - [Surface to Exosphere](https://www.japcc.org/flyers/surface-to-exosphere/) - ‘NATO Centres of Excellence’s subject matter expertise and support to NATO and Nations is indispensable.’ 1 ACT JFD/CPD Brief in Lisbon 14 May 2019, Multinational Solutions Synchronization Conference. Overview This Flyer follows-on from the brief taster on the same topic provided with the ‘Inside the JAPCC’ element of Journal Ed. 30. Like many areas of - [A Comprehensive Approach to Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems](https://www.japcc.org/flyers/a-comprehensive-approach-to-countering-unmanned-aircraft-systems/) - Introduction Over the last decades, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have been fielded in every military service, ranging from handheld micro-UAS to medium-sized tactical systems to fully grown and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). At the same time, the civilian market has witnessed an exponential growth of predominantly smaller systems intended for public and recreational use. However, - [Machines Do Not Think!](https://www.japcc.org/flyers/machines-do-not-think/) - “In three years, Cyberdyne will become the largest supplier of military computer systems. All stealth bombers are ­upgraded with Cyberdyne computers, becoming fully unmanned. Afterwards, they fly with a perfect operational ­record. The Skynet Funding Bill is passed. The system goes online on August 4th, 1997. Human decisions are removed from strategic defense. Skynet begins - [NATO Air and Space Power in Counter-IED Operations](https://www.japcc.org/flyers/nato-air-and-space-power-in-counter-ied-operations/) - Introduction In recent years, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have increasingly become a feature of modern conflict, their ease of production using locally-available materials and deployment via support networks providing adversaries, unable to compete on conventional terms, with an inexpensive and effective weapon system. As well as inflicting military and civilian casualties at the tactical level - [Enhancing NATO’s Space Capabilities … an “Educational Blueprint”](https://www.japcc.org/flyers/enhancing-natos-space-capabilities-an-educational-blueprint/) - Introduction Since the JAPCC’s creation in January 2005 an extensive effort has been made to underline the role of Space and its link to Air Power in our contemporary world. On March 23rd and 24th 2011, the JAPCC hosted the first ACT Space Integrated Project Team (IPT) meeting. This IPT gathered representatives from NATO organisations - [Well Worth Doing: NATO's Space Integrated Project Team](https://www.japcc.org/flyers/well-worth-doing-natos-space-integrated-project-team/) - Much has been written about the tremendous and often ­unrecognised impact of space-based capabilities on modern society and military operations. I won’t belabour the point; NATO depends greatly on space capabilities to achieve its poli­tical aims. While the Alliance has yet to fully come to grips with the implications of its reliance on space capabilities, - [NATO Space ‘Operations Iceberg’](https://www.japcc.org/flyers/nato-space-operations-iceberg/) - Currently, NATO lacks a common understanding or consistent use of the term ‘NATO Space Operations’. Today, discussions about NATO Space Operations are commonly reduced to purely focusing on the Space segment (e.g. Command and Control (C2) of satellites), and often neglect the ground, user and link segments. This may be largely due to a lack - [Space: NATO’s Newest Operational Domain](https://www.japcc.org/flyers/space-natos-newest-operational-domain/) - Introduction The Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) is currently officially recognized as the COE ‘for the facilitation of Joint Air Power transformation within NATO’s overall transformation efforts’. The original Concept for the JAPCC, submitted by the Framework Nation (FN), Germany in 2003 states: ‘This synergistic application of air, space and information systems from and - [All-Domain Operations in a Combined Environment](https://www.japcc.org/flyers/all-domain-operations-in-a-combined-environment/) - Introduction Joint All Domain Operations (JADO) is an evolution of the concept of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). JADO incorporates the massive potential of a truly integrated force (the focus of MDO) and updates the concept by incorporating a few crucial aspects of how NATO aspires to conduct future operations. JADO shifts the focus from ‘multi-domain’, which - [Leadership Cannot Really Be Taught. It Can Only Be Learned.](https://www.japcc.org/flyers/leadership-cannot-really-be-taught-it-can-only-be-learned/) - Introduction If the late president of the International Telephone and ­Telegraph Corporation was correct why are there Education & Training (E&T) programs, seminars, etc. with the topic of ­leadership? The JAPCC project ‘Command & Control (C2) / Leadership Competence Improvement’ is one such seminar model apparently attempting the impossible. But this model is actually based on Mr. - [Fires are a Joint Business](https://www.japcc.org/flyers/fires-are-a-joint-business/) - Introduction Ten years have passed since Operation Anaconda took place, a direct combat operation in the Afghanistan theatre involving a large number of U.S. and coalition forces working with allied Afghan military units with the goal to eliminate al-Qaeda and Taliban forces. During this historic Oper­ation, I was a member of the VF-211 Checkmates, an - [Schriever Wargame 2012 International](https://www.japcc.org/flyers/schriever-wargame-2012-international/) - Background A task force of nine NATO nations and Australia (BLUE) battled a combination of terrorists, pirates and affiliated third parties (RED) during the world’s premier space and cyberspace wargame conducted by U.S. Air Force Space Command and hosted by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. Set in 2023, Schriever Wargame 2012 International (SW 12 - [Multinational Logistics](https://www.japcc.org/flyers/multinational-logistics/) - Introduction Logistics is of vital importance to any military operation. Without it, operations cannot be carried out or sustained. Most oper­ations start at home base and use a combination of strategic, operational and tactical movement to move forward into the Area of Operations (AOO). The greater the scope and the size of the operation, theoretically, - [UAS Integration into the European National Air Space System](https://www.japcc.org/flyers/uas-integration-into-the-european-national-air-space-system/) - Introduction To what extent is debatable, but the fact that Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) will play a major role in the future is undisputed. As the roles, missions, and number of these systems expand, their integration into the European National Air Space System (NAS) becomes a topic of critical importance. Over the next five to ## White Papers - [Autonomous Collaborative Platforms](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/acp/) - Executive Summary The Strategic Imperative: NATO’s historical reliance on high-value, exquisite, and numerically constrained crewed platforms is increasingly challenged by sophisticated Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2AD) networks. To maintain credible deterrence and operational freedom of manoeuvre in the future operating environment, the Alliance must shift towards a force structure that balances ‘exquisite’ capability with ‘affordable mass’ using a - [Cyber and Space Exercise Playbook](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/csep/) - Abstract Modern air operations don't happen in a vacuum — they depend on satellites, networks, and digital systems that adversaries are increasingly willing and able to target. The JAPCC's Cyber and Space Exercise Playbook gives air planners and exercise designers a practical, operationally grounded toolkit for bringing those threats to life in joint military exercises. - [The JAPCC AI Handbook](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/ai-handbook/) - Executive Summary Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a speculative or emerging technology; it is already shaping the character of modern warfare. The speed, scale, and complexity of contemporary military operations, particularly within Multi-Domain Operations (MDO), exceed human cognitive limits when addressed through traditional manual processes alone. AI-enabled systems offer the potential to process vast - [Future Approaches to Red Air Delivery in NATO Air Forces in 5th Generation Fighter Training](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/future-approaches-to-red-air-delivery-in-nato-air-forces-in-5th-generation-fighter-training/) - Executive Summary Red Air is a significant part of the NATO fighters training. However, this function is increasingly tricky for NATO countries to carry out, especially individually, due to the associated costs and the lack of materiel and personnel resources. These costs raise the following question: How to maintain fighter proficiency while simultaneously supplying a - [Joint Personnel Recovery in an Urban Environment](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/joint-personnel-recovery-in-an-urban-environment/) - Executive Summary Urban warfare is not a new phenomenon: Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, and Gaza are just some of the most recent examples. As global urbanization accelerates, it becomes increasingly probable that the Alliance will be involved in more Urban Operations (UO) than it experienced in the past. When conducting a military operation in an Urban - [Drone Drills](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/drone-drills/) - Executive Summary Well-established emergency procedures are vital for swift and efficient crisis management across military, civil, and public sectors. These protocols encompass first aid, fire, and bomb threat calls, aiming to save lives, prevent harm, and minimize destruction. Regular drills ensure that all stakeholders are well-versed in these procedures, contributing to effective crisis handling and - [Freedom of Manoeuvre in Cyberspace](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/freedom-of-manoeuvre-in-cyberspace/) - Executive Summary NATO defines manoeuvre as ‘Employment of forces on the battlefield through movement in combination with fire, or fire potential, to achieve a position of advantage in respect to the enemy to accomplish the mission’. But how does this definition apply to a nascent cyberspace domain? The objective of this paper is to help - [Introduction to the Resilient Basing Enhancement Workbook 2nd Edition](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/introduction-to-the-resilient-basing-enhancement-workbook/) - Update January 2024: The number of inputs received up to now is insufficient to make a thorough analysis. As stated in para 1.5 Caveat: ‘A delay in response will result in a corresponding delay in the JAPCC deliverable’. To mitigate this situation JAPCC will reach out to nations with an unclassified version of the - [National Military Space Operations Centres](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/national-military-space-operations-centres/) - NATO does not have space-based resources of its own; however, the organization is heavily and increasingly dependent on space data, products and services to conduct military operations, missions and other activities, as well as executing training and exercises. Several NATO member nations operate satellites, which provide such needed capabilities. However, these assets are operated under - [Big Data Management in ISR and New Technology Trends](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/big-data-management-in-isr-and-new-technology-trends/) - The digital revolution and the endless use of data are transforming the way we live and work. Simultaneously, new technologies through data are providing great opportunities to make military operations different from the past. Command and Control (C2) and Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) are undergoing profound transformations as the availability and transmission of data increase exponentially. - [Mitigating Disinformation Campaigns Against Air Power](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/mitigating-disinformation-campaigns-against-air-power/) - Executive Summary In military operations over the last twenty years, air power has repeatedly proven to be NATO’s great asymmetric advantage. Air power’s ability to accurately strike targets, support troops on the ground, provide accurate and timely intelligence, and transport troops, equipment and supplies over vast distances give NATO an incomparable advantage against its enemies. - [NATO ISTAR](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/nato-istar/) - Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of a coalition, such as NATO, have always played a key role in the success of operations. Although often this is considered an invisible job, the data collection and Intel analysis provide decision-makers and actors with a better situational awareness of what is happening in all domains of military - [Future Unmanned System Technologies](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/future-unmanned-system-technologies/) - Introduction The number of unmanned systems in NATO nations’ military inventories has grown rapidly and is still increasing throughout all domains. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) currently represent the largest share of those systems. At the same time, the level of automation built into these unmanned systems has not only increased significantly, but has also reached - [Filling the Vacuum](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/filling-the-vacuum/) - Introduction “Command and control of military forces, precise air power, missile guidance, troop movements, environmental reconnaissance, and missile warning all have come to depend, to a large degree, on information relayed by satellites.” Aim and Scope The JAPCC originally developed and refined this proposal as a portion of its contribution to the Allied Command Transformation - [The Implications for Force Protection Practitioners of Having to Counter Unmanned Systems](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/the-implications-for-force-protection-practitioners-of-having-to-counter-unmanned-systems/) - Overview The subject of Counter-Unmanned Air Systems (C-UAS) has become what can best be described as a ‘hot-topic’, not just for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) but, globally. The primary question that this think-piece seeks to explore is whether this challenge is new and unique or, whether it is actually just one of many - [Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems in Contested Environments](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/remotely-piloted-aircraft-systems-in-contested-environments/) - Executive Summary Over the past two decades, Remotely Piloted Aircraft System(s) (RPAS) have been fielded in increasing numbers across many nations and military services. RPAS provide distinctive capabilities for the Joint Force Commander (JFC) with reduced risk and extensive time on station in comparison to manned systems. In contrast to ground and manned aviation operations, - [Strategic Concept of Employment for Unmanned Aircraft Systems in NATO](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/strategic-concept-of-employment-for-unmanned-aircraft-systems-in-nato/) - Aim This publication provides the fundamental guidance and an overarching concept for NATO operations and employment of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) through the full spectrum of military operations. Purpose It describes a capabilities-based approach to UAS employment, which enhances the joint and coalition operator’s ability to execute assigned missions and tasks. This document recommends NATO - [Air Warfare Communication in a Networked Environment](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/air-warfare-communication-in-a-networked-environment/) - Executive Summary Network technology is expanding at an exponential rate. As technology improves, effectively unlimited connectivity is no longer strictly a future concept; however, combined decision-making and data sharing processes (or maybe ‘protocols’) are not evolving at the same speed as technology. Machines will boost communication in a networked environment to levels yet to be - [NATO Joint Air Power and Offensive Cyber Operations](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/nato-joint-air-power-and-offensive-cyber-operations/) - Introduction The successful projection of Joint Air Power relies heavily on Cyberspace for complex mission systems, C4ISR and Space Support to Operations. Assets operating in the air environment must have freedom of movement, literally and in Cyberspace, to effectively project power and, ultimately, secure Air Superiority, without which there is a grave risk to mission - [Future Battlefield Rotorcraft Capability](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/future-battlefield-rotorcraft-capability/) - Forecasting the future is a daunting task, however, identified fast-moving trends across the diplomatic, information, military, and economic subjects are rapidly transforming the nature of all aspects of society and human life, including the character of warfare. To be prepared for the future to come, national and military organizations are conducting strategic analysis trying to - [Reshaping Close Support](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/reshaping-close-support/) - Prelude A Future Vision of Close Joint Support Troops are in contact across a broad, disjointed front. Joint Fires Controllers (JFCs) and their assigned teams of Joint Fires Observers (JFOs) are in high demand and are faced with a daunting environment. They operate under overlapping layers of modern enemy air defences, with contested communications and - [NATO Force Protection on a Knife Edge](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/nato-force-protection-on-a-knife-edge/) - Overview Like previous Force Protection (FP) pieces published by the JAPCC, this work is designed to be a ‘Think-Piece’. Its purpose is to provoke debate with the deliberate intention of engaging and challenging colleagues in that debate. In turn, any discussion will aid in establishing whether the thesis offered is true, false or indeed somewhere - [NATO / Multinational Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Unit](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/nato-multinational-joint-intelligence-surveillance-and-reconnaissance-unit/) - Preface NATO military commanders and Alliance Leaders have consistently identified gaps in NATO’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability and capacity including the entailed Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED) processes. Exercises such as Unified Vision have begun to address the challenge of passing target information from one ISR system to another for tactical exploitation, targeting and data - [Regional Fighter Partnership](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/regional-fighter-partnership/) - Preface “The [financial] crisis makes cooperation between nations no longer a choice. It is a necessity. Today, no European Ally on its own is able to develop the full range of responses to meet all security challenges … I see three ways ahead: pooling and sharing resources; setting the right priorities; and forging closer links - [Command and Control of a Multinational Space Surveillance and Tracking Network](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/command-and-control-of-a-multinational-space-surveillance-and-tracking-network/) - Introduction Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) is the ability to detect and predict the position of space objects in orbit around the Earth, and is generally recognized as a fundamental component of Space Situational Awareness (SSA). In particular, it serves a number of different purposes, both civil and military. For instance, it is an enabler - [Resiliency in Space as a Combined Challenge for NATO](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/resiliency-in-space-as-a-combined-challenge-for-nato/) - Today’s military operations rely significantly on Space support. NATO Allies are operating modern and technically advanced armed forces. This technical advantage can be seen as a kind of deterrence, but recent worldwide developments in counter-Space and Space technology are challenging NATO’s technical advantage. Spacefaring nations such as the ones inside the Alliance attempt to secure - [Standardization of Qualifications for NATO Helicopter Crews in Support of Land Operations](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/standardization-of-qualifications-for-nato-helicopter-crews-in-support-of-land-operations/) - Overview The Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) conducted a study in 2012 examining the vertical lift cap­ability of the majority of European NATO member states. The Study1 identified deficiencies and shortcomings and offered possible solutions to overcome the identified challenges and improve this important capability. The findings of this study have been introduced to - [Alliance Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/alliance-airborne-anti-submarine-warfare/) - Executive Summary As the Cold War ended and the Russian Federation’s naval projection was challenged both by the internal politics of glasnost and the stark realities of their national economic situation, their submarine deployments throughout the NATO theatre nearly ceased. Many nations in the Alliance re-focused naval assets away from submarine tracking and monitoring to - [Improving NATO Support to Future Air Advisor Operations](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/improving-nato-support-to-future-air-advisor-operations/) - Overview NATO has stated that it is committed to providing long-term political and practical support to Afghanistan via a new post-2014 mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Security Forces. Additionally, the 2010 NATO Strategic Concept highlighted the need to develop the capability to train and develop local forces in crisis zones, so - [Air-to-Air Refuelling Flight Plan](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/air-to-air-refuelling-flight-plan/) - Background During the Cold War the requirement for AAR was limited to the support of long-range strategic ­forces as many NATO Nations, certainly the European members, worked under the assumption that their respective Armed Forces would operate very close to home. Post the end of the Cold War, NATO has been increasingly engaged in Expeditionary - [From Ground to Exosphere](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/from-ground-to-exosphere/) - Dear Colleagues, I am often asked what an Air Power Competence Centre is and what it does? I also have to sometimes explain, in these increasingly resource-constrained times, the value of the JAPCC’s work to the Nations and to the Alliance. This latest paper, titled ‘From Ground to Exosphere – 15-Years of The Joint Air - [Personnel Recovery](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/personnel-recovery/) - Introduction Throughout history, armies traditionally fought the wars whilst government officials, explorers and tourists travelled and worked all over the globe. During war, travel or exploration, individuals may have become isolated from their group, or the group itself may be lost or fall victim to some disaster with no possibility of making it to safety. - [Enhancing NATO’s Operational Helicopter Capability](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/enhancing-natos-operational-helicopter-capability/) - Introduction The recent Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns have highlighted the unique capabilities helicopters have contributed to the asymmetric environment. However, whilst playing a decisive part in successful operations, it has become increasingly clear to commanders that the shortfalls within the international helicopter community are constraining the overall mission as stated in the 2009 NATO BI-Strategic - [Think-Piece on Force Protection Command and Control (FPC2)](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/think-piece-on-force-protection-command-and-control-fpc2/) - Preface The Airbase of the future will likely be a location where multiple nations come together to operate a wide variety of different air platforms, in substantial numbers. Furthermore, the capability, scarcity and cost of fifth-generation air assets will make such platforms increasingly high priority targets. Joint Air and Space Power is NATO’s asymmetric advantage - [Enhancing NATO Joint Personnel Recovery Capability](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/enhancing-nato-joint-personnel-recovery-capability/) - Overview As we prepare for the future, it is critical that NATO and its nations capture the lessons identified from recent crisis response and combat operations. Turning these into lessons learned as we transition from NATO in operations to NATO prepared for operations is paramount. This transition combined with the on-going financial crisis makes it - [NATO Helicopter Underslung Load Certification](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/nato-helicopter-underslung-load-certification/) - Executive Summary One method of quickly employing ground forces is through airmobile operations. When airmobile forces are employed by helicopter, part of their equipment is transported as an Underslung Load (USL) underneath the helicopter. For NATO forces to operate in a combined manner, it is essential that the equipment of one nation be transportable by - [NATO Air Transport Capability](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/nato-air-transport-capability/) - “Supply and Transport stand or fall together; history depends on both.” Winston Churchill Objective The Objective of Air Transport (AT) is best encapsu­lated in the Allied Tactical Publication (ATP) 3.3.4. ­Volume I1, as follows: AT enables the global, regional and local movement of personnel and materiel, both military and ­civilian. With acknowledged limitations in payload - [Air Transport Training, Exercises and Interoperability](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/air-transport-training-exercises-and-interoperability/) - Introduction ‘If I had a wish list, it would be more ISR capability, more airlift or more rapid global mobility, particularly with respect to air-to-air refuelling. I encourage things that will give us better interoperability among equipment that we have.’1 General (ret.) Frank Gorenc, USAF Air Transport (AT) allows a military to deploy, employ and - [Air-to-Air Refuelling Consolidation](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/air-to-air-refuelling-consolidation/) - ‘Of all air power force-multipliers, Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) is amongst the most significant. It provides an essential capability that increases the range, endurance, payload and flexibility of all capable receiver aircraft, and is especially important when forward basing is limited or unavailable, or air base operations limitations impose constraints.’ NATO, Allied Tactical Publication (ATP) 3.3.4 - [Air and Space Power in Counter-Piracy Operations](https://www.japcc.org/white-papers/air-and-space-power-in-counter-piracy-operations/) - Background NATO has been contributing military forces, mostly warships, to the Counter-Piracy (CP) mission off the Horn of Africa (HoA) since October 2008. Commanders at sea have made several strong appeals for more Air and Space (A&S) assets, namely, Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), Airborne Warning and Command ­System (AWACS) and UAS Systems stating that A&S ## Chapters - [Law Enforcement](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-law-enforcement/) - Introduction Today, drones have become omnipresent and are widely used throughout society. Not only are they popular products for recreation, but they are also more and more used in the commercial sector. At present, the number of drones used in Germany is estimated at more than half a million units. In addition, the portion of - [Education and Training](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-education-and-training/) - Introduction Education and Training (E&T) is an integral part of any armed forces’ ability to generate, maintain and strengthen their military capabilities, provide security and practise collective defence in the broader context of the NATO Alliance. With today’s swift innovations in technology and their incorporation into military forces, non-state armed groups, and terrorist organizations, E&T - [Command and Control](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-command-and-control/) - Introduction Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are part of daily life, from hobby enthusiasts and delivery companies to actual people/ groups with malevolent intentions, and also present a growing capability in armed conflicts. This circumstance gets amplified by the fact that Unmanned Aircraft (UA) are classified in various size/weight categories and may have a substantially different - [Force Protection Considerations](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-force-protection-considerations/) - Introduction Overview The subject of Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) has become what can best be described as a ‘hot-topic’ not just for NATO, but globally. From a Force Protection (FP) perspective, it is offered, the primary question to explore is whether this challenge is new and unique or just one of many threats that NATO - [A Methodology for Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-a-methodology-for-countering-unmanned-aircraft-systems/) - Overview The challenge of Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) has been recognized and taken seriously after incidents with commercially available drones showed that even small systems could project a viable threat to political leaders, critical infrastructure and commercial businesses. Chapter 3 (cf. p. 48 ff.) provided some examples of recent incidents and outlined them in - [The Vulnerabilities of Unmanned Aircraft System Components](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-the-vulnerabilities-of-unmanned-aircraft-system-components/) - Overview Unmanned Aircraft share basically the same vulnerabilities as manned aircraft. However, it is not only the UA which can be subject to countermeasures. Each individual component of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) has unique vulnerabilities and could be targeted to counter the UAS threat. This chapter describes the different system components, their limitations and - [Unmanned Aircraft System Threat Vectors](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-unmanned-aircraft-system-threat-vectors/) - Introduction The threat imposed by UAS is manifold as these systems come in various sizes, shapes and applications. This chapter outlines the broad range of threats which derive from UAS as well as the different environments where NATO has to anticipate their use. This chapter will also discuss threats which are unique to un-manned systems, - [The Differences Between Unmanned Aircraft, Drones, Cruise Missiles and Hypersonic Vehicles](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-the-differences-between-unmanned-aircraft-drones-cruise-missiles-and-hypersonic-vehicles/) - Introduction To define the impact of unmanned aerial systems on current and future NATO operations, it is very important to identify which kind or category of threats are included and which are not. This section will try to clarify this definition and will show that a clear classification is sometimes not easy to achieve. A - [Employing Friendly UAS for Counter-UAS Operations](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-employing-friendly-uas-for-counter-uas-operations/) - Introduction Unmanned aircraft (UA) are an established technology that continues to expand. Over the past decade, UA have become an integral component in most militaries and future military operations must consider Friendly-UA (F-UA) and Opposing-UA (O-UA) capabilities. It has to be assumed that O-UA have similar capabilities to F-UA, able to deliver kinetic and non-kinetic - [The Juridical Landscape of Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-the-juridical-landscape-of-countering-unmanned-aircraft-systems/) - Introduction Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in international armed conflict is a difficult task, since it can be hard to determine the scope of a threat. There is no single threat scenario: the threats come in various shapes, formats, and applications. A major complication in countering UAS for defence purposes is caused by emerging technologies - [Regulatory Frameworks in Support of Counter-UAS](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-regulatory-frameworks-in-support-of-counter-uas/) - Translated by Benjamin Sauer, GE, German Federal Office of Languages Introduction Effective Defence against threats by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) requires timely detection and ranging. The determination of intended threats and unintended violations of rules and regulations is of significant importance. The technology available is prevalently more developed than the legal framework. Hence, detection and - [Drone Forensics](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-drone-forensics/) - Courtesy of Digital Forensics Magazine This article has been originally published in the Digital Forensics Magazine, Issue 34, February 2018. David Kovar and Joel Bollö explain how the growing use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) creates new forensic challenges and opportunities for investigators. Introduction The popularity of small UAVs (a.k.a. Drones) has been surging for - [Research, Development, and Acquisition of Counter-UAS Technologies](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-research-development-and-acquisition-of-counter-uas-technologies/) - Introduction In general terms, Research, Development and Acquisition (RD&A) can be loosely defined as the efforts undertaken by companies and governments to innovate and introduce new products to achieve or enhance specific capabilities. Therein Research and Development (R&D) can be understood as the process towards the maturing of technologies, while acquisition is widely recognized as - [Arms Control of Unmanned Weapons Systems](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-arms-control-of-unmanned-weapons-systems/) - Introduction Research and development within modern information technologies has resulted in rapid technological progress that is also reflected in the strategic and tactical considerations of military and security policy decision-makers. Efforts to advance the automation and digitalization of warfare can be observed in a growing number of countries over the past few years. A prominent - [Strategic Communications](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-strategic-communications/) - Introduction This article will focus on the current and future use of UAS by states and groups hostile to NATO and Western allied nations and the Strategic Communications (STRATCOM). There are two salient facts that NATO forces have to take into account: Firstly, UAS technology, primarily provided by Russia and Iran, is supplied to proxy - [Cloud-based Command and Control for Security and Drone Defence Applications](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-cloud-based-command-and-control-for-security-and-drone-defence-applications/) - Translated by Lieutenant Colonel André Haider, GE A, JAPCC Introduction Small drone systems for private and commercial use consist of many high-tech components, offering many useful new applications for the public. However, drones are also ideal instruments for criminals and terrorists to considerably expand their capabilities. An effective defence against drones which are operated with - [Cyberspace Operations](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-cyberspace-operations/) - Introduction It has been stated that Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are ‘re-shaping the cyber security world’.1 While this claim might seem overstated, there’s little doubt that the advancement and proliferation of UAS worldwide present many challenges to the cyber security community as UAS increase in sophistication and defenders scramble to keep up with the growing - [Electromagnetic Operations](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-electromagnetic-operations/) - Introduction The Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) comprises the span of all electromagnetic radiation, which is divided into many sub-ranges and separate frequency bands due to their different physical properties. The Electromagnetic Environment (EME) is the geophysical environment, influenced by such factors as terrain, weather and atmospheric conditions, which supports the radiation, propagation, and reception of electromagnetic - [Offensive Counter-Air Operations](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-offensive-counter-air-operations/) - Introduction Technology is transforming our lives every day. Although it provides many advantages, it can also be utilized to develop an effective or deadly weapon by potential adversaries. Among these technological advances are Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and the corresponding systems to defend against them. Both technologies, UAS as well as Counter-UAS (C-UAS) systems, are - [Defensive Counter-Air Operations](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-defensive-counter-air-operations/) - Introduction As technology evolves, the technical options and consequently the military applications for unmanned aircraft become more diverse. Theoretically, every manned system could be construed as an unmanned version. But the lack of necessity for a pilot to be in the system gives engineers options, which were not fathomable before. However, from an Air Defence - [Joint Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-joint-intelligence-surveillance-and-reconnaissance/) - Introduction This chapter discusses the role of Joint Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (JISR) in support of countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and the essential contributions of the different intelligence collection disciplines throughout all phases of the C-UAS methodology described in the previous Chapter. This chapter will also highlight how JISR can support UAS related threat - [Future Threats: Military UAS, Terrorist Drones, and the Dangers of the Second Drone Age](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-future-threats-military-uas-terrorist-drones-and-the-dangers-of-the-second-drone-age/) - Introduction The State of the Art of War The world has entered the ‘second drone age’.1 Defined by the global proliferation of military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and weaponised commercial drones, this new era of drone warfare has seen, and will continue to see, both state and non-state actors competing for power in the skies - [Protection of Critical Infrastructure](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-protection-of-critical-infrastructure/) - Introduction The challenges in countering drones are faced in both war and peacetime. As discussed in the previous chapters of this book, the risks presented by drones have increasingly come into the civilian focus over recent years. In particular, the incidents at Gatwick Airport (cf. Chapter 3, p. 48) and their consequences for flight safety, - [Space Operations](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-space-operations/) - Main Characteristics of Space Systems and Their Role in Modern Warfare Today’s modern warfare is heavily dependent on the Space Domain;1 the use of Data, Products and Services (DPS) from Space-based capabilities allows all national armed forces, to include NATO as well as potential adversaries, to achieve their objectives with increased effectiveness and efficiency, with - [Foreword](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-foreword/) - Dear Reader, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have become an integral part of NATO operations and have advanced into an invaluable asset for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, as well as for combat missions. This has not gone unnoticed by both state and non-state actors, which has led to an enormous effort by these players to catch - [Targeting](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-targeting/) - Introduction Targeting is the means of selecting targets to meet a commander’s intent and prioritizing them systematically so that the most important are prosecuted first. It includes both a lethal and non-lethal approach by which to prosecute targets and is dependent on the campaign and the intent of the commander. Targets will differ in each - [Introduction](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-introduction/) - Background In recent decades, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have been fielded in every military service, ranging from handheld micro-UAS to medium-sized tactical systems to full-grown Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). At the same time, the civilian market has witnessed an exponential growth of predominantly smaller systems intended for public and recreational use. However, the latter use - [Preface](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/c-uas-preface/) - If you were attending a conference or meeting about Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) in the last three years (and there were a lot), for sure you heard this sentence. However, this used to address only one narrow aspect of the whole problem, i.e. the impossibility of technical providers to propose one single system that - [Industrial and ­Technology Cooperation](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/industrial-and-technology-cooperation/) - Preface Though production and acquisition of armament is a national ­responsibility, NATO has a long and successful history with respect to cooperation and exchanging information and technological ­research in the field of armaments. The key forum is the Conference of National Armament Directors (CNAD), its sub-committees of which are ­responsible for promoting cooperation between countries - [Alliance and Partnership Cooperation](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/alliance-and-partnership-cooperation/) - Context Cooperation is one of the key pillars of NATO’s ‘Active Engagement, Modern Defence’ strategy and was acknowledged as such by the NATO Heads of State and Government (HOS / G) in Lisbon in 2010. The Strategy stipulates, among other things, ‘that partners make a concrete and valued contribution to the success of NATO’s fundamental tasks’. NATO’s - [Hybrid Conflict, Hybrid Warfare and Resilience](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/hybrid-conflict-hybrid-warfare-and-resilience/) - Context and Aim Over the last decade, NATO has been facing a growing number of increasingly diverse security challenges. The 2016 Warsaw Summit Communiqué is clear in its description of the broad range of threats: ‘The Alliance faces a range in security challenges and threats that originate from the east and from the south; from - [Missile Defence in NATO](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/missile-defence-in-nato/) - Widening the Focus For more than five years, NATO BMD has been high on NATO’s list of priorities1. NATO Heads of State and Government (HOS / G) have unanimously recognized that the proliferation of ballistic missiles poses an increasing threat to Allied populations, territory and deployed forces. Consequently, at the 2010 Lisbon Conference, NATO nations ­decided to - [Joint ISR and Air C2](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/joint-isr-and-air-c2/) - Context and Aim Since 2014, NATO has seen a dramatic change in its security environment. In Warsaw, NATO’s HOSG stated that there is ‘an arc of in­security and instability along NATO’s periphery and beyond. The ­Alliance faces a range of security challenges and threats that originate both from the east and from the south; from - [Deterrence and ­Collective Defence](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/deterrence-and-collective-defence/) - Introduction ‘NATO is a defensive Alliance with a goal to prevent war with credible deterrence. If deterrence fails, Article 5 of the Washington Treaty guarantees a collective defence.’ Washington Treaty, Article 5 The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack - [The Role of NATO Joint Air Power in Deterrence and Collective Defence](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/the-role-of-nato-joint-air-power-in-deterrence-and-collective-defence/) - Introduction The review of NATO air power conducted pursuant to the Wales summit communiqué and the subsequent February 2016 NATO tasking has set in motion an important two-step process to deliver a NATO air power strategy. Under this process, a conceptual basis analyzing ‘Ends and Ways’ will be considered in a first study. A second - [Introduction](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/fvp-iv-introduction/) - References A – Wales Summit Declaration, 5 September 2014. B – BI-SC Final Report on Joint Air Power capabilities, SH / PLANS / JCAP / FT / 15-311417, 7 December 2015. C – Warsaw Summit Communiqué, 9 July 2016. D – NATO Strategic Concept ‘Active Engagement – Modern Defence’, ­Lisbon, 2010. E – NDPP Planning Process. PO(2016)0655 (INV), 24 October 2016. F – JAPCC Future Vector Project, July 2014. G – Strategic Foresight Analysis (SFA), - [Executive Summary and Key Recommendations](https://www.japcc.org/chapters/fvp-iv-executive-summary/) - Executive Summary The 2016 Warsaw Summit Declaration, as the most current expression by the Heads of State and Government (HOS / G) of key contemporary security concerns and focus areas, is clear in its statements: ‘the Alliance faces a range of security challenges and threats that originate from the east and from the south; from state and ## Books - [A Comprehensive Approach to Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems](https://www.japcc.org/books/a-comprehensive-approach-to-countering-unmanned-aircraft-systems/) - About This Book This technical manual covers all aspects of having to counter the full spectrum of unmanned aircraft and their respective system components. It should serve to bring together both civilian and military experts by initiating thought and emphasizing NATO’s approach to a comprehensive solution for countering unmanned aircraft systems. We hope that you - [Joint Air Power Following the 2016 Warsaw Summit](https://www.japcc.org/books/joint-air-power-following-the-2016-warsaw-summit/) - Foreword NATO is facing an increasingly diverse, unpredictable and demanding ­security environment, ‘an arc of insecurity and instability along NATO’s ­periphery and beyond’.1 In recent times this has led to a range of steps by NATO to reinforce its collective defence, enhance its capabilities, and strengthen its resilience. NATO has committed itself to provide its - [Air & Space Power in NATO](https://www.japcc.org/books/fvp/) - Foreword Joint Air and Space Power has been of utmost importance to the Alliance since NATO’s inception. The precise application of combat power from the air is founded upon superb equipment, superior training, very high levels of interoperability, and seasoned experience; all enabled by strong leadership exercised through a well-developed Air Command and Control (C2) - [Air & Space Power in NATO](https://www.japcc.org/books/fvp-part-i/) - Foreword The precise application of combat power from the air has been of strategic importance to the Alliance since NATO’s inception. Time and time again, NATO and its Member Nations have turned to Joint Air Power as the first, and in some cases only, military response option. Air Power, now coupled with Space Power, continues - [Air & Space Power in NATO](https://www.japcc.org/books/fvp-part-ii/) - Foreword The precise application of combat power from the air has been of strategic importance to the Alliance since NATO’s inception. Time and again, NATO and its Member Nations have turned to Joint Air Power as the first, and in some cases only, military response option. Air Power, now coupled with Space Power, continues to ## Articles - [Bridging NATO’s Capability-Capacity Gap Through Commercial Effects](https://www.japcc.org/articles/bridging-natos-capability-capacity-gap-through-commercial-effects/) - Introduction Modern air forces face an operational dilemma. The demand for mission-critical effects, ranging from persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) to Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) and high-fidelity training, is expanding at a rate that outpaces the ability to generate, field, sustain, and modernise traditional organic assets. As acquisition cycles stretch into decades and unit costs - [Optimising Skill Acquisition in Military Aviation](https://www.japcc.org/articles/optimising-skill-acquisition-in-military-aviation/) - Introduction Training is the cornerstone of operational capability and the essential driver of skill development in aviation. However, a fundamental question remains: how should training be designed and organised to most efficiently unlock the potential of individual pilots? This question lies at the core of instructor concerns and is driving a wave of modernisation across - [Wargaming the Complex Battlespace](https://www.japcc.org/articles/wargaming-the-complex-battlespace/) - Introduction Targeting is central to offensive military operations. NATO’s Allied Joint Doctrine for Joint Targeting (AJP-3.9) states that joint targeting links tactical actions to operational and strategic objectives. Contemporary Air Domain targeting must cope with adaptive adversary systems and networks in which kinetic and non-kinetic effects interact in non-linear ways. Models inherited from earlier conflicts are - [Centralised Command, Distributed Control, Disconnected Training?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/centralised-command-distributed-control-disconnected-training/) - Introduction: A New Mantra in Multi-Domain Operations With the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russian conflict, we have witnessed fundamental paradigm shifts in how modern warfare hinges on distributed and dispersed operations. Traditional conventional operations, though still conceptually valuable, are increasingly struggling to meet the demands of contemporary conflict. Precision strike threats, persistent ISR, electronic warfare, cyber - [Deterrence in the Multi-Generational Battlespace](https://www.japcc.org/articles/deterrence-in-the-multi-generational-battlespace/) - Introduction In October of 1648, Swedish forces launched a daring assault on Prague, storming its fortifications while Imperial defenders fought desperately to hold the city. Artillery thundered across the Vltava River as disciplined infantry formations clashed in the streets.1 The battle was brutal yet indecisive; it concluded not with total destruction but with news that diplomats - [Next-Generation Software Defined Radios](https://www.japcc.org/articles/next-generation-software-defined-radios/) - Introduction The modern battlespace is no longer confined to the traditional boundaries of Air, Land, or Sea domains. NATO now operates in an integrated battlespace where Space, Cyber, and the electromagnetic spectrum are equally contested. This environment demands a unity of effort that is unattainable without a robust, adaptive, and interoperable communications backbone. In this - [Countering Russia’s Glide Bomb Warfare in Ukraine](https://www.japcc.org/articles/countering-russias-glide-bomb-warfare-in-ukraine/) - Introduction The Russia-Ukraine war has served as a proving ground for military innovation on both sides of the conflict. While Ukrainian forces pioneered small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) technology to stall ground assaults, Russia’s most effective adaptation has been the mass deployment of glide bombs, which have helped Moscow translate small tactical gains into significant - [An MDO Approach to NATO’s Counter-IADS Strategy](https://www.japcc.org/articles/an-mdo-approach-to-natos-counter-iads-strategy/) - Introduction Russia’s war in Ukraine has shattered long-held assumptions about the ease of achieving air superiority. The conflict has demonstrated that even modern air forces struggle to dominate contested skies when faced with a dense, multilayered defence.1 While much attention has been paid to the proliferation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), the more enduring lesson for - [Air Power at the Edge – Securing NATO’s New Frontiers](https://www.japcc.org/articles/air-power-at-the-edge-securing-natos-new-frontiers/) - Introduction We are proud of the incredible work the JAPCC has accomplished over the last year. In 2025, our research and analysis remained focused on the conflict in Ukraine and NATO’s collective defence in Eastern Europe. This focus is driven by the significant risks of large-scale conflict at the border. Our support for these efforts - [Regaining the High Ground](https://www.japcc.org/articles/regaining-the-high-ground/) - Introduction Space is now a decisive theatre of operations for the Alliance. Once treated primarily as a benign enabler of activity in other domains, it is now actively contested and increasingly central to the success or failure of joint operations. For decades, NATO forces operated on the assumption that access to space-based capabilities, including satellite - [Ready. Fight. Win. Together. In Air and Space](https://www.japcc.org/articles/ready-fight-win-together-in-air-and-space/) - Introduction I had the honour to participate in, and deliver a keynote at, the annual Joint Air & Space Power Conference. Hosted by the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC), the event once again proven itself to be an internationally recognised open discussion forum on relevant issues to the Alliance. This year’s conference was particularly - [Sense, Make Sense, Act](https://www.japcc.org/articles/sense-make-sense-act/) - Introduction It is a privilege of a lifetime to assume command of Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) and serve as Director of the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC). As I look across this Alliance, from our newest members in the High North to the alert pads of the Southern Flank, I am struck by the - [20-Year Anniversary Reflection](https://www.japcc.org/articles/20-year-anniversary-reflection/) - Introduction The Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) reached a significant milestone in 2025, marking 20 years since its establishment on 1 January 2005. As NATO’s first accredited Centre of Excellence (COE), the JAPCC was formed to advocate and advance air power within the Alliance. For over two decades, the JAPCC has consistently pursued its - [Beyond the Hype](https://www.japcc.org/articles/beyond-the-hype/) - Introduction Author’s note: This is a non-classified article, and as such, some technical details and conclusions are omitted. NATO members are encouraged to reference JAPCC’s secure website for a more complete analysis. Throughout the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) have suffered significant combat aircraft losses, illuminating vulnerabilities in their airborne Electronic Warfare (EW) - [Redesigning NATO’s Targeting Enterprise for Peer Conflict](https://www.japcc.org/articles/redesigning-natos-targeting-enterprise-for-peer-conflict/) - Introduction and Key Arguments NATO’s targeting enterprise is not fit for purpose. As a legacy of two decades of counterinsurgency (COIN), counterterrorism (CT), and wars against weak nation states, the Alliance lacks the targeting capability required to meet the challenges of a potential war with a peer adversary. It is incapable of handling volumes of - [Wargaming in Future Force Design](https://www.japcc.org/articles/wargaming-in-future-force-design/) - Introduction During World War II, members of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (Wrens) developed a remarkably effective wargame to counter German U-boats.1 Armed with little more than chalk, bedsheets, and a basic understanding of naval warfare, they simulated convoy movements and enemy submarine attacks, enabling naval officers to refine their anti-submarine strategies.2 This simple yet powerful exercise - [Train, Adapt, Repeat](https://www.japcc.org/articles/train-adapt-repeat/) - Introduction Competent air controllers are essential for effective air power, especially as global security deteriorates and air battle management becomes more complex. However, the training process has several challenges, both in training structure and personnel management.1 Modern air operations involve rapid information flow and sophisticated threats, meaning training methods must keep up. This paper examines these - [Forging Adaptive Leaders for NATO’s Space Frontier](https://www.japcc.org/articles/forging-adaptive-leaders-for-natos-space-frontier/) - Introduction Following NATO’s 2019 declaration of space as an operational domain, many Allies have advanced their national military space programmes and integrated these capabilities into their Alliance contributions. Space differs significantly from terrestrial domains, which have established doctrines and deep operational experience. Instead, it is characterized by rapid technological evolution, prevalent dual-use technologies, a growing - [Global Combat Air Programme](https://www.japcc.org/articles/global-combat-air-programme/) - Introduction The world is navigating a moment in history where geopolitical context has brought the return of nation-state level conflict, previously considered unthinkable by many. It reminds us that security should not be taken for granted as we witness the beginning of a new era of worldwide international competition and disorder. National security and sovereignty - [Bridging the Gap](https://www.japcc.org/articles/bridging-the-gap/) - Introduction On the 24th and 25th of June 2025, The Netherlands hosted the NATO Summit in The Hague. During the run-up, the path to the NATO Summit was steep, with multiple geopolitical disruptions, from Russia’s war against Ukraine, to asymmetric attacks on Allies, to the United States’ shifting geopolitical focus from Europe. Yet the 2025 Summit was - [An Operator’s View on the Hypersonic Threat](https://www.japcc.org/articles/an-operators-view-on-the-hypersonic-threat/) - Introduction “The responsiveness, manoeuvrability, and survivability of hypersonic weapons is unmatched by traditional strike capabilities for precision targeting, especially in anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) environments.”1 This stark assessment by Lieutenant General Robert A. Rasch, the US Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office director, describes a formidable challenge confronting NATO. Hypersonic weapons (hypersonics) are no longer - [Integrating the Blue and Green Domains](https://www.japcc.org/articles/integrating-the-blue-and-green-domains/) - Introduction Military operations over the past century have witnessed a profound transformation, evolving from clashes dominated by single components to intricately synchronized joint and multi-domain endeavours. Within this evolution, the effective integration of air and land power – Air-Land Integration (ALI) – has become a cornerstone of operational success. Without true integration, air and land - [No One Left Behind: Rebuilding NATO’s Rescue Mission](https://www.japcc.org/articles/no-one-left-behind-rebuilding-natos-rescue-mission/) - Introduction In Operation Allied Force, a moment of high-stakes survival unfolded that would shape NATO’s perspective of joint personnel recovery (JPR). On 2 May 1999, then-Lieutenant Colonel David Goldfein was flying his F-16 over hostile territory when a Serbian surface-to-air missile struck, compelling him to eject behind enemy lines. Isolated and vulnerable, Goldfein transmitted his - [Evolving C2 for Decisive Air Power](https://www.japcc.org/articles/evolving-c2-for-decisive-air-power/) - Introduction NATO’s ability to achieve decisive air effects hinges on command and control (C2) agility, yet contemporary threats increasingly challenge traditional C2 paradigms. While air superiority remains the cornerstone of success in modern conflict, sophisticated adversaries and high-tempo operations demand more than established principles; they necessitate a C2 evolution capable of maximizing effects, mitigating vulnerabilities, - [High Above the High North](https://www.japcc.org/articles/high-above-the-high-north/) - ‘I believe that in the future, whoever holds Alaska will hold the world.’ Billy Mitchell, US military aviation pioneer The Strategic Importance of the Arctic Alaska may appear isolated on a map, but it is actually the closest US state to northern Norway. In fact, cargo planes from Anchorage, Alaska can reach 90% of the - [NATO Needs an Extended Footprint in East Central Europe](https://www.japcc.org/articles/nato-needs-an-extended-footprint-in-east-central-europe/) - Introduction Since the beginning of the Cold War, NATO’s extended military presence has been broadly located in Northwestern Europe. Much of its military logistical infrastructure is located in the English tidal range, consisting of European coastal areas such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Kiel. For most of its 75 years of existence, the tidewater areas served - [Supporting NATO Deterrence in the Baltic States through Host Nation Support](https://www.japcc.org/articles/supporting-nato-deterrence-in-the-baltic-states-through-host-nation-support/) - ‘Prospicere in pace oportet quod bellum iuvet’ – ‘Prepare in peace what you may need for war.’ This timeless Latin adage has never been more relevant. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has reshaped Europe’s security landscape, making NATO’s deterrence strategy a critical pillar of stability. Nowhere is this urgency more pronounced than on the Alliance’s Eastern - [Adapting Air and Missile Defence Training and Doctrine for Hypersonics and Drones](https://www.japcc.org/articles/adapting-air-and-missile-defence-training-and-doctrine-for-hypersonics-and-drones/) - Introduction The rapidly evolving landscape of contemporary warfare has introduced new challenges to Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) and fundamentally altered the dynamics of defence and deterrence within NATO. Emerging threats, such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commercial drones, and hypersonic weapons exploit existing technical and doctrinal gaps in our aerial defences, posing significant - [Navigating the Digital Battlefield](https://www.japcc.org/articles/navigating-the-digital-battlefield/) - Introduction On the modern battlefield, military forces face a complex environment where success depends on controlling geographic domains such as land, air, sea, and space while exploiting non-physical operational areas like cyberspace, the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS), and information operations (IO). As multi-domain integration advances, cyberspace and electronic warfare have become closely linked, and the fusing - [The Missing Pieces of NATO’s Autonomous Collaborative Platform Strategy](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-missing-pieces-of-natos-autonomous-collaborative-platform-strategy/) - Introduction In May 2024, the Secretary of the US Air Force, Frank Kendall, took a groundbreaking flight aboard a modified F-16 (X-62A VISTA), while it was controlled exclusively by autonomous, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled software. As the Secretary sat in the front seat, the AI-controlled aircraft flew several tactical engagements against a piloted fighter, performing complex - [The Case for Fourth-Generation Fighters in NATO](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-case-for-fourth-generation-fighters-in-nato/) - Introduction NATO has enthusiastically embraced the procurement of the F-35 Lighting II, and for good reason. The aircraft’s incredible capabilities contribute significantly towards deterring NATO’s security threats. However, with all the emphasis on the F-35, it is easy to forget that it will not be universally owned and operated throughout the Alliance. Instead, far more - [Navigating the Realm of Artificial Intelligence in AirC2, Education, Training, Exercise, and Evaluation](https://www.japcc.org/articles/navigating-the-realm-of-artificial-intelligence-in-airc2-education-training-exercise-and-evaluation/) - Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not new in the military context. Often, however, AI is misunderstood as software able to create autonomous weapons systems (aircraft, robots, decision-making tools, etc.). Both the civilian and military realms have already been working for a long time to develop algorithms to deliver ever-greater levels of automation. In simple terms, - [The Romanian Air Force](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-romanian-air-force/) - Please reflect on the history of the Romanian Air Force and its major accomplishments since joining NATO 20 years ago. In April last year, we marked an important milestone in Romania’s recent history by celebrating the 20th anniversary of joining the North Atlantic Alliance. At the same time, we all celebrated the 75th anniversary of establishing the - [Shaping Superiority and Security](https://www.japcc.org/articles/shaping-superiority-and-security/) - Introduction In modern warfare, where skies serve as both battlegrounds and corridors of deterrence, the mastery of air power stands paramount. It is the backbone upon which nations’ and alliances’ defence and deterrence capabilities rest. Our era, defined by geopolitical volatility and evolving security threats, underscores the unparalleled importance of air power within NATO forces. As conflicts - [F-35, The Backbone of Next Generation NATO Operations](https://www.japcc.org/articles/f-35-the-backbone-of-next-generation-nato-operations/) - A History of the Program To understand the F-35 as it exists today, it’s valuable to examine the origins of the program. In the early 1990’s, the United States Department of Defense launched a tri-service combat aircraft recapitalisation program called the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The intent of the program was to leverage recent major - [Considerations for Employment of the F-35B in Amphibious Operations](https://www.japcc.org/articles/considerations-for-employment-of-the-f-35b-in-amphibious-operations/) - Introduction The arrival of the F-35B Lightning-II into the inventory of many NATO nations is likely to fundamentally alter the methods by which NATO conducts air support to amphibious operations. In the past, the amphibious force has not had an asset capable of performing roles such as counter-air, anti-shipping, and traditional Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), - [JAPCC Perspective on the Fifth Generation Aircraft Discussion](https://www.japcc.org/articles/japcc-perspective-on-the-fifth-generation-aircraft-discussion/) - Integrating 5th Generation Aircraft into the Joint Battlespace Both the F-22 and F-35 have proprietary, directional datalink systems, which permit a high level of secure data transfer with each other, but have limited to no connectivity to other platforms. Many engineering solutions, including external datalink pods and other networking solutions, are under development to address - [European Security and the Significance of the F-35](https://www.japcc.org/articles/european-security-and-the-significance-of-the-f-35/) - This essay is the reprint of an article published in October 2016 by the Norwegian Airforce Magazine ‘LUFTLED’. Introduction The introduction of F-35 fighters in European air forces marks a momentous transition from 4th generation fighters to the 5th generation. But the F-35 means much more than the mere replacement of one fighter by another - [The Challenges of Fifth-Generation Transformation](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-challenges-of-fifth-generation-transformation/) - Introduction This article reflects the authors’ own views and not the official policy of their respective organizations. It is an abridged version of a longer essay published in the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) Journal in August 2017. Plan Jericho, published in 2015, outlined a strategy that would transform the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) - [Air Power: The 6th Generation of Aircraft](https://www.japcc.org/articles/air-power-the-6th-generation-of-aircraft/) - Introduction In addition to the existence of conventional threats, today the geopolitical scenario offers very complex hybrid challenges. Borders have returned to the centre of world politics, just like a century ago on the eve of the Great War. Moved, cancelled, or contested from the Middle and Far East to Eastern Europe shows how great - [Leveraging the Alliance’s Effort in Fighter Aircraft Design](https://www.japcc.org/articles/leveraging-the-alliances-effort-in-fighter-aircraft-design/) - Introduction The NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) has the objective to foster and improve the interchange of information relating to military research and development between the NATO nations. It is a follow-on organization of the Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development (AGARD) founded in 1952, which represented a pioneering and successful experiment in - [Fifth-Generation Intelligence Considerations](https://www.japcc.org/articles/fifth-generation-intelligence-considerations/) - Introduction To unleash the full reconnaissance capabilities of fifth (and future) generation platforms, we need to prioritize and enable their potential for Non-Traditional Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (NTISR), wherein non-ISR (albeit ISR-capable) platforms are tasked with ISR roles or contribute to ISR concurrently with primary missions. Given NATO’s limited ISR coverage, these platforms could provide - [Fifth Generation Air Combat](https://www.japcc.org/articles/fifth-generation-air-combat/) - This is an abridged version of an article published in the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Journal Ed. No. 6, July 2016. Fifth Generation Aircraft, Defined For the purposes of this paper, we must define what a ‘fifth generation’ aircraft means in the context of modern military operations. A fifth generation aircraft is capable of - [Employment Considerations for 5th Generation Systems](https://www.japcc.org/articles/employment-considerations-for-5th-generation-systems/) - Introduction When considering the complexities of modern warfare, including the targeting of military objectives in contested, congested, and rapidly shifting environments, the ability to quickly and precisely identify and counter adversarial strategies has never been more challenging. Swiftly and accurately discerning the type and affiliation of an object of interest is paramount to choosing the - [Transforming the RNLAF into a 5th Generation Air Force: Just Doing It!](https://www.japcc.org/articles/transforming-the-rnlaf-into-a-5th-generation-air-force-just-doing-it/) - Introduction The world is changing rapidly. The geopolitical landscape is transforming as a result of the strategic competition among existing, emerging, and revisionist powers. Simultaneously, these powers are developing emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and hypersonic missiles at an incredibly rapid pace. Our societies are more connected through our smartphones, smart homes, - [Non-Lethal Measures of Effectiveness in Targeting](https://www.japcc.org/articles/non-lethal-measures-of-effectiveness-in-targeting/) - ‘Not everything that counts can be counted. Not everything that can be counted counts.’ William Bruce Cameron Introduction In a world of rapid technological advances, specialists in non-lethal warfare face a persistent challenge: measuring the intangible effectiveness of non-lethal operations. Whereas lethal engagements, delivered through land, maritime, and air, often have visible and measurable results, - [Technology and Trust](https://www.japcc.org/articles/technology-and-trust/) - ‘Never fight unless you have to, never fight for long, and never fight alone.’ General Fox Conner, mentor of both Eisenhower and McArthur As NATO considers how to conduct Multi-Domain Operations (MDO), the Alliance must consider interoperability across four dimensions: technical, procedural, informational, and human. Although technical capability and interoperability receive much attention, network-building technology cannot - [The Evolving Context for Deterrence](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-evolving-context-for-deterrence/) - Introduction The member-states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) face an unprecedented challenge in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and their threats to employ nuclear weapons against NATO.1 There is also the potential risk of Chinese aggression against Taiwan; should the United States come to the aid of Taiwan and China attack the United States, the - [Bending the ‘Hufnagel’](https://www.japcc.org/articles/bending-the-hufnagel/) - Introduction In 1925, General of the Infantry Hans von Seeckt, then Chief of the Army Command, published a memorandum called the ‘Hufnagelerlass’ condemning the increasing bureaucratization within the Army Command. In the memorandum, von Seeckt sarcastically exaggerated the bureaucratic effort involved in introducing a new horseshoe nail as symbol for very simple business processes in - [Hosted Satellite Payloads](https://www.japcc.org/articles/hosted-satellite-payloads/) - Introduction Acting alone in the space arena is difficult and may not always be the best strategy for nations. Space is a costly domain to operate in, and requires significant investments in research, development, and operational resources. Additionally, the vast expanse of space presents numerous opportunities for international collaboration and joint defence, especially within alliances - [Quantum Technologies for Air and Space (Part 3 of 3)](https://www.japcc.org/articles/quantum-technologies-for-air-and-space-part-3-of-3/) - Introduction This is the third and final piece in a series on air, space, and cyber applications of Quantum Technology (QT). The objective of the series is to disentangle the science of QT to inform strategic leaders and defence planners of realistic expectations for QT. In the previous part, we explored quantum transducers and clocks, - [Enhancing NATO’s Strategic Edge](https://www.japcc.org/articles/enhancing-natos-strategic-edge/) - The Need for Action The war in Ukraine and conflict in Israel present a potential catalyst for wider regional hostilities. Technology has given terrorist organizations increased capabilities, and the pervasive use of information warfare allows for widespread emotional manipulation with geopolitical consequences. In today’s interconnected and emotionally charged society, terrorism continues to pose a grave - [Small Satellites with Large Exposure](https://www.japcc.org/articles/small-satellites-with-large-exposure/) - The Advent of Small Satellites In recent years, both public and private actors have embraced innovations in the space industry that have allowed for a democratization of space, known colloquially as new space. New space consists of various advancements that improve cost efficiency and accelerate development cycles, opening the door for new actors to access - [The Turkish Air Force](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-turkish-air-force/) - ‘Türkiye plays a crucial role in maintaining regional stability through its efforts to deter security threats using its military capabilities.’ What are the current air and space capability developments in the Turkish Air Force? Before I get into the details of the capability development roadmap, I would like to summarize the Turkish Air Force (TÜ - [Sweden Strengthens NATO’s Presence in Europe](https://www.japcc.org/articles/sweden-strengthens-natos-presence-in-europe/) - ‘The great strength of an alliance and air power stems from mutual trust and the shared belief that synergies arise when one seeks, without prestige, ways to enhance others’ strengths and compensate for each other’s weaknesses.’ Welcome to NATO. Although the process took a little longer than planned, it really was a rapid change from - [The Finnish Air Force](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-finnish-air-force/) - ‘Today and in the future, the FINAF has a crucial role in constituting the backbone of security in the challenging Northern Eastern operational environment.’ Introduction The Finnish Air Force (FINAF) is recognized for its rich history, professionalism, capability, and commitment to securing and defending Finnish airspace, including the highest per capita ratio of fighter aces - [The Alliance’s Transition to Multi-Domain Operations](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-alliances-transition-to-multi-domain-operations/) - Introduction The concept of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) has gained prominence in the context of NATO’s military strategy. What started years ago as an operational answer to peer adversary competition, in particular, to counter the Russian Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) threat, has become one of the most challenging endeavours NATO has ever undertaken. The challenges posed by - [Quantum Technologies for Air and Space](https://www.japcc.org/articles/quantum-technologies-for-air-and-space/) - Introduction This article is the second instalment of a three-part series that delves into the realm of Quantum Technology (QT). Specifically, it explores the applications of this cutting-edge field within the military’s Air, Space, and Cyberspace domains. The article aims to shed light on the quantum technologies that hold promise for operational viability in the - [Assessing the Viability of Electrically Powered Flight in Military Operations](https://www.japcc.org/articles/assessing-the-viability-of-electrically-powered-flight-in-military-operations/) - Introduction The trajectory of climate discourse has evolved dramatically over the years, reflecting the growing urgency of the situation. From the initial fears of global cooling in the 1970s to the subsequent shift towards global warming in the 1980s, the narrative has now evolved into the broader concept of climate change. However, the gravity of - [Alliance Future Surveillance and Control](https://www.japcc.org/articles/alliance-future-surveillance-and-control/) - Introduction The NATO E-3A, or AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System), had its first operational mission in 1982. This remarkable aircraft has the ability to track and detect airborne threats from hundreds of miles away, while simultaneously commanding and controlling friendly forces. Throughout its four decades of service, the AWACS has undergone numerous upgrades to - [Allied Air Command Lessons from Ukraine](https://www.japcc.org/articles/allied-air-command-lessons-from-ukraine/) - Introduction The ongoing conflict between Russia (RUS) and Ukraine (UKR) has presented a unique opportunity for the Alliance to reflect on the experiences of both combatants and extract significant lessons for both the Air and Space domains. Whilst there has been extensive coverage of the conflict in the media, objective examination of the Air and - [Navigating the Final Frontier: NATO’s Strategy for Heavy Space Lift](https://www.japcc.org/articles/navigating-the-final-frontier-natos-strategy-for-heavy-space-lift/) - ‘One day, mankind will walk in the skies without a plane, go to the planets, and perhaps send us news from the moon.’ Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (Eskişehir Aircraft Regiment in 1936) Introduction Space launches drive the space race through their technological brilliance, scientific development, competitive advantage, and national prestige. Space Launches are the key enabler - [How Large Language Models are Transforming Modern Warfare](https://www.japcc.org/articles/how-large-language-models-are-transforming-modern-warfare/) - Introduction In October 2022, OpenAI released its novel Artificial Intelligence (AI)–driven chatbot, the famous ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer).1,2 From that moment, the world entered a new era, where AI is at the core of the digital transformation. In the blink of an eye, the entire planet gained the privilege of using a sophisticated AI tool - [Strategic Horizons – Advancements in Air and Space for Deterrence and Defence](https://www.japcc.org/articles/strategic-horizons-advancements-in-air-and-space-for-deterrence-and-defence/) - Introduction Between 10 and 12 October 2023, the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) conducted its most prestigious annual event, the Air and Space Power Conference, to enhance deterrence and defence as one of NATO’s core tasks. Experts from science, politics, industry, and the military discussed avenues for further developing Air and Space Power and - [The Challenge of Symbiosis](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-challenge-of-symbiosis/) - Introduction The landscape of modern warfare has undergone significant transformations in recent years, becoming far more complex and multifaceted. The parameters of this new era of warfare have broadened beyond the traditional military-focused model, encompassing a diverse array of components such as cyber, informational, economic, and diplomatic elements. This remarkable paradigm shift necessitates a thorough - [Electronic Warfare in Ukraine](https://www.japcc.org/articles/electronic-warfare-in-ukraine/) - Introduction The Russian Federation has invested heavily in Cyber and Electronic Warfare (EW) since the 2008 military reforms as an asymmetric response to NATO military capabilities that depend on sophisticated electronic systems.1 However, Russia has not fully capitalized on this investment during the current invasion of Ukraine. This paper highlights some key issues and offers recommendations - [The Heart of Decision Superiority](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-heart-of-decision-superiority/) - ‘The question is not whether NATO will need to evolve and develop its C4ISR capabilities but whether it can do so in time to meet the gathering threats to the Alliance.’ General James Cartwright, Former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Vignette Imagine you are a leader in a high-stakes operation where every - [Agile Combat Employment](https://www.japcc.org/articles/agile-combat-employment/) - Introduction The concept of Agile Combat Employment (ACE) may not be entirely new nor radical, but the complexities of modern warfare necessitate a number of modifications resulting in a more nuanced and innovative approach. Defined by the USAF’s Doctrine Note 1-21 as a ‘proactive and reactive operational scheme of manoeuvre executed within threat timelines to - [Towards Intelligent Flight Simulator Training](https://www.japcc.org/articles/towards-intelligent-flight-simulator-training/) - Introduction Recent developments in neurophysiological sensor technologies have enabled the development of wearable and portable devices, leading to new research areas such as neuroergonomics.1 Prior work in this field foreshadowed great promise for decoding the mental states of pilots/operators, including changes in mental workload, vigilance, and drowsiness.2 In particular, studies utilizing brain imaging sensors, such as electroencephalography - [NATO Rapid Air Mobility](https://www.japcc.org/articles/nato-rapid-air-mobility/) - ‘Obtaining additional air transport mobility – and obtaining it now – will better assure the ability of our conventional forces to respond, with discrimination and speed, to any problem at any spot on the globe at a moment’s notice.’ President John F. Kennedy1 Introduction NATO’s Rapid Air Mobility (RAM) initiative enables state aircraft to support - [Hypersonic Weapons on the Front Line](https://www.japcc.org/articles/hypersonic-weapons-on-the-front-line/) - Introduction Some regard hypersonic weapons as a niche capability that offers a new first-strike capability for a small set of high-value targets, while others argue they have little real impact beyond strategic messaging of national prestige – a national prestige that NATO nations do not currently possess. The United States (US) and France have tested - [The Italian Navy Carrier Strike Group](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-italian-navy-carrier-strike-group/) - ‘The Italian Navy Fleet is undergoing a thorough process of preparation and training to guarantee the readiness of its forces and to ensure the maritime defence and security of our country, protecting national interests and preserving stability in the Wider Mediterranean and beyond. IT CSG is one of the highest forms in which our maritime - [A Transformative Exercise](https://www.japcc.org/articles/a-transformative-exercise/) - Decoding the Objectives of AIR DEFENDER 2023 Initiated by Germany in 2018, AIR DEFENDER 2023 (AD23) aimed to be the most extensive deployment and live flying exercise of Air Forces in Europe since the establishment of NATO. Its purpose was to send a strong message of deterrence to potential aggressors and showcase the unity of - [Charting a New Course](https://www.japcc.org/articles/charting-a-new-course/) - Introduction Today, the Czech Armed Forces (CAF) and its Air Force are at a historical and conceptual turning point. This year, it celebrates 30 years since establishing a separate Czech Armed Forces after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993. Next year, it will commemorate 25 years since joining NATO. Both significant milestones have positively shaped - [Shaping Tomorrow’s Air Force](https://www.japcc.org/articles/shaping-tomorrows-air-force/) - An Unprecedented Reality The geopolitical landscape is unprecedented and scattered more than ever. Facing emerging powers possessing state-of-the-art technologies becomes a day-to-day reality. Threats to our safety and global security evolve continuously. Crude actions and the aggressive rhetoric of external actors and peer competitors pushed us into an unprecedented crisis. Therefore, our Air Force must - [Air Power in the Russian-Ukrainian War: Myths and Lessons Learned](https://www.japcc.org/articles/air-power-in-the-russian-ukrainian-war-myths-and-lessons-learned/) - Editor’s note: The JAPCC is presenting this article as a personal account from the Ukraine Air Chief and staff in their own words to further the public discourse on the war in Ukraine. The views expressed are those of the authors concerned, without endorsement by the JAPCC or NATO. We are truly grateful for their - [NATO’s Multinational MRTT Unit](https://www.japcc.org/articles/natos-multinational-mrtt-unit/) - Introduction In the 32nd edition of the Journal of the JAPCC, the ‘The Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet Programme’ article detailed the organization and structure of the Multinational MRTT Unit (MMU), which employs the KC-30M Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft.1 Since publishing, a number of developments within NATO’s Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) mission set warrants revisiting this topic. - [NATO IAMD Education and Training](https://www.japcc.org/articles/nato-iamd-education-and-training/) - Introduction Russia’s air and missile attacks on Ukraine underscored the importance of Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) and, more specifically, Surface-Based Air and Missile Defence (SBAMD) as an essential part of NATO’s Defensive Counter-Air (DCA) capability. As the military conflict continues, the looming question hangs heavily on NATO’s eastern border: are NATO SBAMD forces - [Quantum Technology for Defence](https://www.japcc.org/articles/quantum-technology-for-defence/) - Introduction Quantum Technology (QT) has its foundation in quantum mechanics, a discipline more than one hundred years old. The first applications of quantum mechanics, known as Quantum Revolution 1.0, include nuclear fission, lasers, semiconductors, etc., where the statistical aspects of quantum behaviour are exploited. The first quantum revolution had and still has a profound impact - [Russian Air Force’s Performance in Ukraine](https://www.japcc.org/articles/russian-air-forces-performance-in-ukraine-air-operations-the-fall-of-a-myth/) - Introduction On 24 February 2022, the world witnessed outrage over Russian missiles attacking multiple targets in Ukraine, waves of helicopters at very low altitudes in what appeared to be aerial assaults on various airports, and reports about paratrooper assaults. Convoys of armoured vehicles and trucks entered Ukrainian territory from multiple avenues. However, the world did - [The Impact of Commercial Space in Times of Conflict](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-impact-of-commercial-space-in-times-of-conflict/) - Commercial Space Steps in the Spotlight In today’s connected world, communication and information offered by and through Space capabilities impact people’s everyday lives. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has highlighted what may happen if existing networks are denied. The harsh reality of a ‘day without Space’ was never entirely obvious before. In response to - [Insights from the Ukrainian Cyber Battlefield](https://www.japcc.org/articles/insights-from-the-ukrainian-cyber-battlefield/) - Introduction Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February shocked the entire world and created the most significant security crisis in Europe since the Second World War. Along with traditional kinetic warfare, Russia has conducted large-scale cyber operations in Ukraine before and after the invasion. Since the start of the invasion, at least six different state-linked - [Targeting with Due Regard to Cultural Property](https://www.japcc.org/articles/targeting-with-due-regard-to-cultural-property/) - Introduction Damage and destruction of Cultural Property (CP) is a regrettable feature of warfare throughout history. The reasons range from the incidental, such as careless indifference, collateral damage coincident to legitimate acts, or lack of knowledge of CP, to the intentional, such as indiscriminate use of wide-area effects weapons or the intentional erasure of cultural - [Enhancing NATO Air and Space Power in an Age of Global Competition](https://www.japcc.org/articles/enhancing-nato-air-and-space-power-in-an-age-of-global-competition/) - Introduction ‘Our world is contested and unpredictable’. ‘Pervasive instability’ and ‘strategic competition define our broader security environment’. The challenges and ‘threats we face are global and interconnected’. Overall, ‘the Euro-Atlantic area is not at Peace’. This is how NATO’s newest Strategic Concept, endorsed at the Madrid Summit, describes the current security environment. The intent of - [100 Years of the Italian Air Force](https://www.japcc.org/articles/100-years-of-the-italian-air-force/) - The JAPCC’s Interview with Lieutenant General Luca Goretti, Chief of the Italian Air Force ‘We already have the institutional duty to defend our skies; in the coming years, threats will come from much higher, but we as the Air Force will always be responsible by law to protect and defend our territory from any threat - [Cluster Satellite Architectures](https://www.japcc.org/articles/cluster-satellite-architectures/) - Introduction Satellites make outstanding contributions to the military, political, and economic power of states, especially in surveillance, reconnaissance, offensive, and defence missions.1 In addition, the extensive coverage and broad-spectrum capabilities of satellites are also valuable for the civilian sector for human migration monitoring, meteorology, forestry, and agriculture.2 Besides their low-cost development and zero risk to human life, - [The Role of Aircraft Carriers in a Contested Age](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-role-of-aircraft-carriers-in-a-contested-age/) - Introduction As the Maritime domain is becoming an increasingly complex and contested environment, questions are raised as to how future operations at sea will be conducted and what capabilities will be needed. In this regard, the role of the aircraft carrier has long been debated, as the advancement of weapons systems and other disruptive technologies - [Close Air Support Command and Control](https://www.japcc.org/articles/close-air-support-command-and-control/) - Introduction Today’s military operations are becoming more complicated with the increasing number and variety of options available to commanders at all levels. The expansion of military activity beyond the Air, Maritime, and Land domains to Space and Cyberspace has broadened the community of warfighters that modern militaries require to operate successfully and efficiently in the - [Human-Machine Interface: An Evolutionary Necessity](https://www.japcc.org/articles/human-machine-interface-an-evolutionary-necessity/) - Introduction Optimal pilot-aircraft interaction has always been considered a cornerstone for achieving effective operational performance while maintaining a high level of safety during a task or mission. As more and more complex flight tasks are carried out, more and more information reach the crew members. There are new technological solutions on the market, and the - [Good News or Bad News?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/good-news-or-bad-news/) - Introduction In the past few decades, the way we have understood conflict and war has seen a tremendous change. War had traditionally been understood as armed physical violence. Today, global security challenges are changing faster than in the past. Adversaries are more adaptive and able to counter their opponents from the five recognized domains: air, - [High-Altitude Platform Systems](https://www.japcc.org/articles/high-altitude-platform-systems/) - Introduction Since Space is an above-average growth market, it is becoming increasingly contested, congested, and competitive. This statement is broadly known and accepted; however, it applies mainly to Low Earth Orbits (LEO).2 These orbits are very popular for a variety of space actors which are operating a broad range of commercial, governmental, and military application satellites. - [Artificial Intelligence – Human Symbiosis in Fighter Aircraft](https://www.japcc.org/articles/artificial-intelligence-human-symbiosis-in-fighter-aircraft/) - Introduction ‘The fighter jet era has passed.’ These words were famously spoken by Elon Musk at the 2020 Air Warfare Symposium when prompted to describe the future Air Domain.1 Musk’s position appears to be supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Alphadogfight (ADT) demonstrations.2 During ADT, several Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects faced off against - [The Next ‘Small Step for Man’ in the Metaverse](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-next-small-step-for-man-in-the-metaverse/) - Introduction On 28 October 2021, when Meta1 founder Mark Zuckerberg presented the Metaverse, a series of interconnected virtual worlds capable of entirely transforming the way we communicate, few people were able to understand whether this was just another rebranding and marketing hype or the next evolutionary step in our lives; the creation of an advanced, networked - [A View from Above](https://www.japcc.org/articles/a-view-from-above/) - Introduction Although the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is still ongoing, with no prospect for termination of the hostilities in the foreseeable future, some initial observations can be made with respect to the air domain. These initial observations are made by the JAPCC’s Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and are just that, not to be seen - [Defining the Swarm](https://www.japcc.org/articles/defining-the-swarm/) - Introduction In recent years, the terms ‘swarm’ and ‘swarming’ have been among the most prevalent buzzwords in the uncrewed1 systems’ community, to include not only air vehicles but also land, maritime, surface, as well as underwater variants. However, what is a swarm or which common capabilities it needs to possess has not been officially defined. NATO’s - [Collective Defence in the Space Domain](https://www.japcc.org/articles/collective-defence-in-the-space-domain/) - Introduction Space is fundamental for contemporary national security missions. NATO perceived the significance of Space in military operations and for national security by formally designating Space to be an operational domain in December 2019. As the world’s biggest security alliance, NATO relies on Space for a wide range of activities from intelligence gathering and navigation - [25 Years of Integrated Air and Missile Defence Training](https://www.japcc.org/articles/25-years-of-integrated-air-and-missile-defence-training/) - Introduction The Cold War timeframe is often looked upon as a gloomy era; however, it also provided positive things, like military, social, and relative political stability in Western Europe. The end of the Cold War gave impetus to countries to adapt their foreign policies, thus opening up an era of instability right at NATO’s eastern - [Transitioning NATO to an All-Domain Mindset](https://www.japcc.org/articles/transitioning-nato-to-an-all-domain-mindset/) - Refocus on Joint and Combined Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO) is a concept with the ambition of maximizing the effectiveness of all declared NATO forces through broadly focusing on two critical interoperability areas: obstacles between services and across the nations. The overarching goal of JADO is to progress from coordinated joint actions (today’s capability) to synchronized - [Air-Land Integration – Bridging the Gaps in Joint with Force Education and Training](https://www.japcc.org/articles/air-land-integration-bridging-the-gaps-in-joint-with-force-education-and-training/) - Introduction In military and industry circles, it is very common to hear technology promoted as a joint and interoperable capability without much attention being paid to the people employing those capabilities. No matter how much faith we have in our technological solutions, resilient architectures must always consider, ‘what if a capability is easily denied or - [Potential Game Changer for Close Air Support](https://www.japcc.org/articles/potential-game-changer-for-close-air-support/) - Introduction The NATO Strategic Foresight Analysis1 provides a projection of the world’s strategic trends up to and beyond 2035. It predicts that asymmetric conflict scenarios will continue and that the need for collective defence against a peer or near-peer adversary will be increasingly likely. In addition, difficult, urbanized conflicts are also a probable challenge for - [Responsive Space for NATO Operations – Part 3](https://www.japcc.org/articles/responsive-space-for-nato-operations-part-3/) - Introduction Space Support plays a significant role in modern warfare and is a key enabler for NATO’s technical advantage. Worldwide technological developments challenge this advantage while Space has become increasingly congested and contested. This is the third article of a series focusing on the Responsive Space topic. The first article was released within JAPCC Journal - [Responsive Space for NATO Operations – Part 2](https://www.japcc.org/articles/responsive-space-for-nato-operations-part-2/) - Introduction Space Support plays a significant role in today’s modern warfare and is a key enabler for NATO’s technical and operational advantage. Worldwide technical developments challenge this advantage while Space has become congested and contested. This is the second article of a series focusing on the Responsive Space topic. The first article was released within - [A Comprehensive Approach to Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems](https://www.japcc.org/articles/a-comprehensive-approach-to-countering-unmanned-aircraft-systems/) - Introduction Over the last decades, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have been fielded in every military service, ranging from handheld micro-UAS to medium-sized tactical systems to fully grown and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). At the same time, the civilian market has witnessed an exponential growth of predominantly smaller systems intended for public and recreational use. However, - [Is NATO Ready for Galileo?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/is-nato-ready-for-galileo/) - Introduction NATO operations rely significantly on space support services given by the member nations. One of the most essential is the Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) service1, provided by the United States’ Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation.2 GPS, as defined by the Memorandum of Understanding IV, is to be used by all NATO nations.3 GPS - [Command and Control in Digital Transformation](https://www.japcc.org/articles/command-and-control-in-digital-transformation/) - Threat Landscape is Changing The Crimean crisis showed Russia’s ‘new generation warfare’ capability or, as NATO described it, ‘hybrid warfare’ including propaganda, deception, sabotage and other non-military tactics. These tactics were used before. The difference was in their level of intensity, scale and speed, all made possible due to available technology, which was a leading - [Platform Autonomy](https://www.japcc.org/articles/platform-autonomy/) - Foreword The Applied Vehicle Technology Panel (AVT) is an ­international network of defence scientists and engin­eers dedicated to increasing the performance of new and ageing vehicles in the air, sea, land, and space ­domains. This network consists of about 700 experts from all fields of vehicle design, including power and propulsion, mechanical structures and material, - [The Future Role of Artificial Intelligence](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-future-role-of-artificial-intelligence/) - Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI) today is one of the hottest buzzwords in business and industry, and it has military applications, too. In fact, industry has developed AI as a technology over the last 60 years, and periodically it becomes mainstream news. Progress has not always been smooth, particularly in the 20th century when funding for - [Bots Taking Over](https://www.japcc.org/articles/bots-taking-over/) - Introduction Decision-making problems, one of the main research areas of management science, have been studied in a highly-interdisciplinary manner by the contributions of the scientists and engineers from various research fields. Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and utilization of AI systems in the decision-making realm led to a new era, where human decision authority is - [Autonomous Weapon Systems in International Humanitarian Law](https://www.japcc.org/articles/autonomous-weapon-systems-in-international-humanitarian-law/) - Introduction The number of unmanned systems in military inventories has grown rapidly and is still increasing throughout all domains. At the same time, the level of automation built into these unmanned systems has not only increased significantly, but has also reached a level of sophistication at which they are seemingly capable of performing many tasks - [Defending NATO’s Aviation Capabilities from Cyber Attack](https://www.japcc.org/articles/defending-natos-aviation-capabilities-from-cyber-attack/) - ‘Cyber-attacks present a clear challenge to the security of the Alliance and could be as harmful to modern societies as a conventional attack. We agreed in Wales that cyber defence is part of NATO’s core task of collective defence. Now, in Warsaw, we reaffirm NATO’s defensive mandate, and recognise cyberspace as a domain of operations - [Cyberspace NOTAM!](https://www.japcc.org/articles/cyberspace-notam/) - Introduction On 6 June 2018 the North Atlantic Council (NAC) approved the Military Committee’s (MC) Vision and Strategy (V&S) on Cyberspace as a Domain of Operations, a significant milestone in the ongoing development of this Domain for the Alliance – essential for policy, capability and doctrine development as well as for guiding operational planning and - [Cyber-Electromagnetic Domain](https://www.japcc.org/articles/cyber-electromagnetic-domain/) - Introduction Even though NATO currently recognizes the Electromagnetic Environment (EME) as an operating environment,1 the latest Libya operations and the Syrian conflict battlespace highlighted that coalition forces might be required to operate within an extremely complex environment in future battles, where the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) might be considered as the fundamental domain of operations. It - [Cybersecurity Challenges with Emerging Technologies](https://www.japcc.org/articles/cybersecurity-challenges-with-emerging-technologies/) - Introduction It was the end of April 2020 when the first 5G base station was installed by Huawei, together with China Mobile, on the ‘roof of the world’, Mount Everest, at an altitude of 6,500 m, near the Qianjin camp, providing invaluable wireless communication to climbers and researchers. At the summit on the Northside of - [Defending Space in and through Cyberspace](https://www.japcc.org/articles/defending-space-in-and-through-cyberspace/) - Introduction In a recently published book titled ‘2034’,1 Admiral Stavridis and Elliot Ackerman, two former military officers with deep operational and diplomatic backgrounds, tried to describe how and, apparently, when a future war with China might start. The novel provides a frightening view of an Orwellian dystopian future where the two global powers, the United - [Where are the Carriers?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/where-are-the-carriers/) - Introduction ‘Where are the carriers?’ This same question sprang to Tom Clancy’s mind back when he introduced his book ‘Carrier’ in 1998. The author borrowed that question from many previous US Presidents as they asked it whenever an international crisis involving US interests broke out in any part of the world. It is not difficult - [100 Years of German Naval Aviation](https://www.japcc.org/articles/100-years-of-german-naval-aviation/) - Back to 1913 At that moment in history, both Germany and The United Kingdom (UK) had a powerful desire to enlarge their Navies. Germany strived to extend its influence in the world and become a global player. The UK wanted to maintain and consolidate its role as a global player and Sea Power nation. It - [Italian Naval Air Power](https://www.japcc.org/articles/italian-naval-air-power/) - This article is an abbreviated version of a longer essay written in June 2015. The full version can be provided on request. Background and Introduction Italian Naval Air Power plays a key role across the strategic concepts of Italian Maritime Power. The projection of capabilities and integrated maritime surveillance are two of the major pillars - [Is NATO’s MPA Force Prepared for ­Resurgent Russian Submarine Patrols?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/is-natos-mpa-force-prepared-for-resurgent-russian-submarine-patrols/) - This article is an abbreviated version of a longer ­essay written in June 2015. The full version can be provided on request. In the waning decades of the 20th century, due to a noted reduction in Russian submarine deployments into the North Atlantic and economic globalization in the post-glasnost era, a commonly accepted theory that - [Air Command and Control in the Amphibious Environment](https://www.japcc.org/articles/air-command-and-control-in-the-amphibious-environment/) - Introduction Although NATO, as an Alliance, has never executed an opposed amphibious landing, it continues to grow, maintain, and exercise its amphibious warfare capability and the role of Air Power in support of Landing Operations continues to evolve. Although exercises such as the recently concluded Trident Juncture series emphasize combined arms maneuver from the sea - [Unmanned Air Systems in NATO Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)](https://www.japcc.org/articles/unmanned-air-systems-in-nato-anti-submarine-warfare-asw/) - Background and Introduction The resurgence of Russian Federation Navy (RFN) submarine activity in the past few years has stimulated a response action from the Alliance. At both the 2014 Wales and 2016 Warsaw NATO Summits, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) was identified as a crucial focus area which the Alliance must address to ensure it maintains its - [Sea-based Ballistic Missile Defence](https://www.japcc.org/articles/sea-based-ballistic-missile-defence/) - Introduction Despite many UN resolutions, an ongoing series of North Korean missile tests have recently alarmed the world. Effective media propaganda, provocative performance displays, and the apparently unpredictable government are raising concerns about appropriate preventive measures. This escalation challenges the US in particular because of its role as a protective power in the North Pacific - [Enabling Maritime ISR through the ‘Family of Systems’](https://www.japcc.org/articles/enabling-maritime-isr-through-the-family-of-systems/) - Introduction to Maritime ISR Maritime Patrol has existed since the early days of aviation and has been a critical part of nearly every NATO operation. Beginning with visual detection of naval task groups in the early part of World War II, the tactics for conducting surveillance at sea have evolved in concert with the sensors - [Maritime Rotary Wing](https://www.japcc.org/articles/maritime-rotary-wing/) - Introduction Spurred by a desire to extend their influence in the world through sea power, many nations recognized in the early 1900s airborne assets would become a fundamental component of maritime warfare. Consequently, many traditional maritime powers have celebrated the 100th anniversary of their Naval Aviation services within recent years, starting with the UK Royal - [Will the Aircraft Carrier Survive?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/will-the-aircraft-carrier-survive/) - Introduction Since the First World War, the importance of sea-based aviation has evolved, including the increasingly diverse mission sets aircraft carriers provide. Expert opinions on the future effectiveness of air power from the sea have also changed dramatically.1 Decades ago, most experts in the field held the opinion that sea-based air power would be a - [The Strategic Value of Aircraft Carriers](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-strategic-value-of-aircraft-carriers/) - Introduction The political and military leaders of many seafaring nations with blue-water navies worldwide and strong maritime interests, in the effort to imagine the future of their military forces, could soon face the dilemma of whether or not to finance an aircraft carrier programme. While the United States Navy (US Navy), as the only global - [Future Battlespace Management](https://www.japcc.org/articles/future-battlespace-management/) - Introduction Robust Anti-Access and Area-Denial (A2/AD) structures, coupled with the proliferation of advanced technologies across multiple domains, will dominate the third dimension in the coming decades. Potential adversaries will blend conventional, asymmetric, and hybrid capabilities across each of the traditional physical domains (Air, Land and Maritime) plus Cyber and Space, and will adjust their strategies - [Gateway to Multi-Domain Command and Control](https://www.japcc.org/articles/gateway-to-multi-domain-command-and-control/) - Introduction Since NATO’s inception, airpower’s role has evolved from a key enabler of military capability to that of a primary means of executing the Alliance’s three core tasks: collective defence, crisis management and cooperative security. With today’s fluid political landscape and rapid technological advancement, NATO has begun to anticipate future security environments in which it - [On Multi-Domain Operations](https://www.japcc.org/articles/on-multi-domain-operations/) - Introduction Recently, there have been multiple think papers, studies and articles proposing a new way of viewing the future battlespace. Many of these treat the entire environment as one single domain or an integrated environment of multiple domains which overlap and are mutually supporting. Sceptics believe Multi-Domain is nothing more than a new paint job - [Multi-Domain Command and Control](https://www.japcc.org/articles/multi-domain-command-and-control/) - ‘War is the realm of uncertainty; three quarters of the factors on which action in war is based are wrapped in a fog of greater or lesser uncertainty. […] The commander in war must work in a medium which his eyes cannot see; which his best deductive powers cannot always fathom; and with which, because - [Multi-Domain Operations: Inconceivable!](https://www.japcc.org/articles/multi-domain-operations-inconceivable/) - ‘You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.’ Inigo Montoya8 Introduction The classic line above from The Princess Bride is in response to one of the characters, Vizzini, repeatedly declaring ‘inconceivable!’ during a series of events which in the outcomes are not only conceivable but accomplished through - [NATO Training and Benefits of a Multi-Domain Approach to Targeting](https://www.japcc.org/articles/nato-training-and-benefits-of-a-multi-domain-approach-to-targeting/) - Introduction Since the early 2000’s the western world, and particularly NATO, has been progressively scrutinized in their ability to conduct offensive operations. Targeting (the method by which we conduct offensive operations) has been developed and refined numerous times in our desire to be more transparent with our processes, to mitigate risk to civilians and civilian - [Shaping the Future Multi-Domain C2](https://www.japcc.org/articles/shaping-the-future-multi-domain-c2/) - In the seven months since I took command of Allied Air Command, I have had the opportunity to travel across the European continent to see Air Power at work. I have seen tremendous work done by the outstanding men and women of our Alliance Air Forces, both within Europe and North America, and beyond. The - [The Luftwaffe in Multi-Domain Operations](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-luftwaffe-in-multi-domain-operations/) - Introduction NATO is living through one of the most challenging periods of its existence. Our security environment has become even more complex and increasingly dynamic. Our security situation is characterized by crises, conflicts and the revival of traditional power policies. The upcoming decades require extraordinary capabilities of civil and military interagency cooperation and capacities to - [Developing Future Force Protection Capability](https://www.japcc.org/articles/developing-future-force-protection-capability-part-1/) - Introduction This 2-part article focussed on Force Protection (FP) will discuss some of the issues surrounding where NATO FP might be going and explore where perhaps it should be going? In this first instalment, the author will try to outline the realities of FP today, discuss NATO’s doctrinal approach, introduce current challenges and suggest why - [How is Close Air Support Changing?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/how-is-close-air-support-changing/) - Brief History of Fire Support Since ancient times, armies have sought to attack with the greatest force possible from the furthest distance away using such weapons as bows, slings and javelins; followed by catapults and ballista, but the clashes were unquestionably decided by head-on collisions of the infantry and cavalry. Even after the ­appearance of - [Institutionalizing Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Lessons Learned from Afghanistan](https://www.japcc.org/articles/institutionalizing-counter-improvised-explosive-device-lessons-learned-from-afghanistan-part-1/) - Introduction Background. In January 2014, the JAPCC, together with the Joint Allied Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC), was asked by NATO HQ Emerging Security Challenges Division (ESCD), on behalf of NATO’s Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Task Force, to analyse what C-IED lessons could be identified from Afgha­nistan and consider how these lessons could not only be - [Small Drones](https://www.japcc.org/articles/small-drones/) - The Evolution of Small Drones In recent years, military personnel have become increasingly familiar with the use of drones for anything from practice targets to air strikes. Military drones show huge promise and will certainly play an important role in the decades to come. With the de-encryption of the GPS system in 1999, there was - [The Competence Centre for Surface Based Air and Missile Defence](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-competence-centre-for-surface-based-air-and-missile-defence/) - History On 3 December 1999, the Extended Air Defence Task Force (EADTF) was installed in Burbach, Germany. At that time, the mission spectrum for Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) forces had expanded to include the defence against Ballistic and Cruise Missiles. The only GBAD weapon system that could deal with this broader threat was the - [Beating Brownout](https://www.japcc.org/articles/beating-brownout/) - Introduction When I started my helicopter pilot training at Whiting Field (US), I practiced my landings on clean, square, cement pavement. Conditions hardly differed when I made my first operational landings as a Navy helicopter pilot. When I approached a ship’s landing spot, my only concern was not dropping my helicopter into the sea. I - [Future Battlefield Rotorcraft Capability](https://www.japcc.org/articles/future-battlefield-rotorcraft-capability-1/) - This topic was the subject of an essay paper the author recently wrote under supervision of the University of Lincoln, UK. For the purpose of publication in this journal, the essay has been divided into three parts split over this and the two following issues. An overall introduction to the topic was published in Journal - [Detecting and Neutralizing Mini-Drones](https://www.japcc.org/articles/detecting-and-neutralizing-mini-drones/) - Introduction Small (15–150 kg), mini ( - [Unintentional Air Strikes during Dynamic Operations](https://www.japcc.org/articles/unintentional-air-strikes-during-dynamic-operations/) - Introduction Images of bombed hospitals stunned participants of the 2016 JAPCC Conference1, as a Panellist raised the unsettling and poignant issue about how operations sometimes transcend military objectives. Specifically, the panellist expressed concern about ‘recurring kinetic strikes against civilian and/or medical facilities and what is being done to prevent further occurrences’. Discussion of the topic - [Future Options for Surface-Based Air and Missile Defence?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/future-options-for-surface-based-air-and-missile-defence/) - Introduction France, in 1794, was the first nation to use aerial balloons for reconnaissance purposes. Subsequently, it took almost 100 years for the German military to realize that small cannons could be used to intercept those balloons. The ‘Ballonabwehrkanone’ using a 3.7 cm cannon mounted on a horse carriage can be considered the first active - [Future Battlefield Rotorcraft Capability](https://www.japcc.org/articles/future-battlefield-rotorcraft-capability-2/) - This topic was the subject of an essay paper the author wrote under supervision of the University of Lincoln, UK. For the purpose of JAPCC Journal publication, the essay has been divided into three parts split over the previous issue (Edition 24), this issue (Edition 25), and the issue to come (Edition 26). An overall - [Mission and Vision of Italian Army Aviation](https://www.japcc.org/articles/mission-and-vision-of-italian-army-aviation/) - Sir, thank you for taking the time to answer some questions and to provide an insight into Italian Army Aviation. Can you please describe the current posture of Italian Army Aviation? Over the last thirty years, without interruption, Italian Army Aviation has been employed in missions abroad and has operated in a broad spectrum of - [The Rise of Consumer Drones Threat](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-rise-of-consumer-drones-threat/) - Introduction Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), more commonly referred to as drones, have been one of the most rapidly advancing technologies developed in the last decade. While remotely-piloted aircraft have been traditionally used by the military and, on a lower scale, by other professional communities and aero-amateurs, UAS technology has experienced an incredible commercial momentum gain - [Aeromedical Evacuation in NATO](https://www.japcc.org/articles/aeromedical-evacuation-in-nato/) - The Allied Aeromedical Architecture According to the NATO terminology database, Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) is the movement of patients under medical supervision by air transport to and between Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs) as an integral part of the treatment continuum.1 In this definition, ‘patients’ refers to individuals admitted to care when entering the healthcare system for diagnosis - [Air-Land Integration – NATO’s Strategic Joint Challenge](https://www.japcc.org/articles/air-land-integration-natos-strategic-joint-challenge/) - Introduction As airmen and soldiers working in a joint force environment, various definitions and associations come to mind when discussing the extensive and historically important topic that entails the military effects of Air-Land Integration (ALI). ALI refers to the synergistic employment of lethal and non-lethal effects by Air and Land forces to meet a Commander’s - [The ‘Land Approach’ to the Space Domain](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-land-approach-to-the-space-domain/) - Introduction Space has recently been recognized by NATO1 as the fifth operational domain for military operations and guarantees fundamental services and applications for all Armed Forces, strongly influencing the success of modern military operations. Main services provided by space platforms include satellite communications, Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems, earth observation and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance - [NATO Air Policing Against Unmanned Aircraft](https://www.japcc.org/articles/nato-air-policing-against-unmanned-aircraft/) - ‘When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait.’ Paulo Coelho Introduction Air policing (AP) is one of - [Distance No Longer Equals Protection](https://www.japcc.org/articles/distance-no-longer-equals-protection/) - ‘The military services are ramping up spending on hypersonic weapons and defense capabilities, from rocket-based glide systems to air-breathing weapons to low-altitude cruise missiles and more.’1 Where to Start Advances in technology continue to outpace the techniques, procedures, and doctrinal aspects of how a new weapon integrates into the Joint Force, specifically Hypersonic Strike Weapons - [Hypersonic Vehicles](https://www.japcc.org/articles/hypersonic-vehicles/) - Introduction Hypersonic technologies offer potential solutions and applications that could have a strong impact on doctrine and conduct of future military operations. Different applications are conceivable for hypersonic flight vehicles in order to enable new or advanced military capabilities. Most obvious is the rapid delivery of weapons. Serving the ‘speed is life’ tenet, high speed - [Hypersonic Threats](https://www.japcc.org/articles/hypersonic-threats/) - Introduction It is almost impossible to read current literature about NATO‘s threat spectrum without having Hypersonic Operational Threats (HOT) mentioned as an emerging ‘game-changer.’ The following article is based on a Specialist Team Report of NATO’s Science and Technology Organization about Hypersonic Threats1 and will analyse the impact hypersonic threats may have on NATO’s defensive posture, - [Hypersonic Weapons](https://www.japcc.org/articles/hypersonic-weapons/) - Introduction For most people, hypersonic weapons and aircraft represent yet another 21st century technological breakthrough in which science fiction becomes science fact.1 However, hypersonic studies have an extended history stretching back over half a century. In October 1967, William J. Knight, an aeronautical engineer, piloted the X-15 to the official world record for the highest speed - [The JAPCC Interview with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-japcc-interview-with-the-supreme-allied-commander-europe/) - Prior to becoming SACEUR, you were the Commander of NATO’s Allied Air Command at Ramstein. How do you see your time at AIRCOM being of benefit in your new position as SACEUR? I have spent almost a third of my military career in Europe, but primarily in national positions. Commanding AIRCOM was my first real - [Interview with General Gorenc](https://www.japcc.org/articles/interview-with-general-gorenc/) - It’s not your first tour in Europe. From 2009 to 2012 you were the Commander of 3rd Air Force at Ramstein AB. How does this prior experience benefit you in your new position? I’m very familiar with the US Air Forces Europe and US Air Forces Africa mission sets having been previously assigned to Ramstein - [Luftwaffe Preparing for Future Challenges](https://www.japcc.org/articles/luftwaffe-preparing-for-future-challenges/) - Lieutenant General Karl Müllner is the Chief of Staff of the German Air Force (GAF). The JAPCC is grateful for the support we receive from the GAF and from Lieutenant General Müllner personally. Recently, he kindly agreed to answer some questions for this edition of the JAPCC Journal. Sir, the German Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr, - [Looking Back …](https://www.japcc.org/articles/looking-back/) - Introduction Since it was established in 2005, The Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC), NATO’s first Centre of Excellence (CoE), was empowered to advance improvements and the transformation process of Joint Air and Space Power (A&SP) by deliver­ing effective solutions through independent thought and analysis. Today with a history of successful products and growing partnerships - [If We Are Not Talking About Air, Who Else Will?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/if-we-are-not-talking-about-air-who-else-will/) - The First Steps With this journal issue, the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) celebrates its 10th anniversary. The JAPCC was and has been, since its accreditation in 2005, the first and largest NATO Centre of Excellence (CoE). Although the NATO Command Structure had, at that time, established Air Component Commands at Ramstein and Izmir, - [Daily Ready to Serve Italy and NATO](https://www.japcc.org/articles/daily-ready-to-serve-italy-and-nato/) - During the Wales NATO Summit of 2014, out of the 16 identified main shortfalls of the Alliance during recent operations, the shortage of ISR dedicated RPAS and lack of a developed multinational information sharing process has been highlighted. What does the Air Force intend to do to increase information availability across NATO? The Italian Air - [Fit for the Future](https://www.japcc.org/articles/fit-for-the-future/) - Looking around, a new world or a new society will develop at a pace faster than ever before in the next decades. How do you look to this changing world and how can we, as Air Forces, play a role in it? Some call it the post-industrial age. I feel uncomfortable with this designation. The - [NATO Air Power](https://www.japcc.org/articles/nato-air-power-the-last-word/) - ‘If we lose the war in the air, we lose the war and we lose it quickly.’ General Bernard Law Montgomery, SHAPE Deputy SACEUR 1951–1958 Introduction My three-year tour as the commander of NATO Allied Air Command, US Air Forces in Europe, US Air Forces in Africa and Director of the Joint Air Power Competence - [The Royal Canadian Air Force and NATO](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-royal-canadian-air-force-and-nato/) - Interview with Lieutenant General Michael J. Hood, Commander, Royal Canadian Air Force How important is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) operations, and what role does the RCAF expect to play in future NATO operations? RCAF support to NATO is clearly implicit in the Canadian Armed Forces’ three enduring - [Royal Danish Air Force – Next Generation](https://www.japcc.org/articles/royal-danish-air-force-next-generation/) - The world has changed since the Russian annexation of Crimea. In this context, with a resurrected threat in the east, what it your primary focus for the Royal Danish Air Force? After more than fifteen years of fighting terrorism, we have grown accustomed to being superior to our opponent in regards to our war fighting - [Sustaining the Most Powerful Military Alliance](https://www.japcc.org/articles/sustaining-the-most-powerful-military-alliance/) - Introduction Over the past year and a half, it has been a privilege to command NATO’s Allied Air Command (AIRCOM), US Air Forces Europe and US Air Forces Africa. Add in the role as the Director of the Joint Air Power Competence Centre and it has been an honour to be part of four fantastic - [Modernizing NATO in the North](https://www.japcc.org/articles/modernizing-nato-in-the-north/) - What is your view, as a NATO Air Chief in the North, on our current security situation? First, I would stress that in the European part of the Alliance we need to pay attention both to the South, East and the North. In many ways, the different regions have different challenges. However, isolated incidents in - [Czech Air Force – Now and in the Future](https://www.japcc.org/articles/czech-air-force-now-and-in-the-future/) - On 1 May 2018, Major General Petr Hromek became the new Commander of the Czech Air Force. He replaced Major General Jaromir Šebesta. Despite the fact that the Czech Air Force may be thought of as a small one, commanding it still remains a truly demanding job. We asked General Hromek for an assessment of - [Space Situational Awareness](https://www.japcc.org/articles/space-situational-awareness/) - Space as an Operational Domain Space operations have arrived to stay. The later we realize it, the later we will be organized, equipped, trained and therefore ready to respond to any incident affecting the access to our National space services or capabilities. These services or capabilities, many of them dual-use (civilian/military), are very expensive and - [Alliance Ground Surveillance Force](https://www.japcc.org/articles/alliance-ground-surveillance-force/) - Introduction The NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force (NAGSF) is a ‘quantum leap’ in NATO’s Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, with unprecedented integration to benefit NATO and all 30 Alliance nations. It is the world’s most advanced integrated air-ground surveillance system, due to its unique combination of multi-domain intelligence operations expeditionary and reach-back Processing, Exploitation, - [Vigilance Must Endure](https://www.japcc.org/articles/vigilance-must-endure/) - New Threats and Challenges to the Alliance NATO’s comprehensive deterrence and defence activities continue to sustain peace and defend the sovereignty of member nations across the Euro-Atlantic area with overwhelming success. However, we must maintain positive campaign momentum with respect to our speed, stance, and readiness. This relentless pursuit is required to maintain our competitive - [The Need for Speed](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-need-for-speed/) - Introduction 2020 was a challenging year, as we continued to provide deterrence and security for our Alliance in the face of the CoVID-19 Pandemic. I was impressed by the way all of us continually found innovative ways to work effectively together while remaining socially distanced. This is not the way we have traditionally functioned, neither - [Dynamic Challenges and the Need to Adapt](https://www.japcc.org/articles/dynamic-challenges-and-the-need-to-adapt/) - Introduction Since its establishment in 2005, the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) has aimed to provide key decision-makers with effective solutions to Air and Space Power challenges. This is our mission, and by doing so, we contribute to the safeguarding of NATO and our nations’ interests. Throughout the last 16 years, the JAPCC has - [Polish Air Force – Transition from Warsaw Pact to NATO](https://www.japcc.org/articles/polish-air-force-transition-from-warsaw-pact-to-nato/) - The JAPCC’s Interview with Brigadier General Sławomir Żakowski, Deputy Commander, Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) Uedem, Germany. Think back to a bygone era, bring back memories and describe what it was like to serve in the Air Force back then. I associate the 1990s primarily with Poland regaining full sovereignty as a result of the - [Excellence in Joint Air and Space Power](https://www.japcc.org/articles/excellence-in-joint-air-and-space-power/) - The last three years presented a dynamic and challenging strategic environment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, its Allies and partners across the globe. Looking back to where we started this journey in 2019, we have significantly shifted into an era of fierce strategic global competition where our competitors challenge our norms, test our commitment - [Assessing Nations for NATO Partnerships](https://www.japcc.org/articles/assessing-nations-for-nato-partnerships/) - Introduction / Background In the NATO Strategic Concept, ‘Active Engagement, Modern Defence’, Cooperative Security is identified as one of the Alliance’s three core tasks. The section addressing Cooperative Security states, ‘the Alliance is affected by, and can affect, political and security developments beyond its borders. The Alliance will engage actively to enhance international security, through partnership with - [INIOCHOS](https://www.japcc.org/articles/iniochos/) - ‘I am delighted to be back in Andravida and very proud that we have the U.S. Air Force again participating so significantly in Iniochos ’18. This has become an important multinational exercise with broad participation from across Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, which reflects our vision of Greece as a builder of bridges, as a - [Meeting the Needs of Future Warfare](https://www.japcc.org/articles/meeting-the-needs-of-future-warfare/) - Introduction In the first two decades following the end of the Cold War, NATO and its member states focused their training and exercises on the immediate needs of the new and diverse demands of crisis management operations. These demands were in many ways very different from what NATO had been preparing for in the 1970s - [Knowledge Development vs. Intelligence in NATO](https://www.japcc.org/articles/knowledge-development-vs-intelligence-in-nato/) - Background For too long, NATO and its member nations perceived Military Intelligence as the staff discipline providing information and assessments exclusively about weather, terrain, and most importantly, ‘the enemy’. Typical defence planning and exercises during the Cold War decades restrained Intelligence staff organizations, procedures, leadership, and personnel to this very limited interpretation of what Intelligence - [Information Knowledge Management](https://www.japcc.org/articles/information-knowledge-management/) - Introduction ‘Information is not knowledge’,1 visionary scientist ­Albert Einstein once said. What did he mean by that? If someone who is not a doctor attempts to analyse blood test results, all he sees is a list of unintelligible data because of his lack of required skills and experience. Albert Einstein claimed that ‘Knowledge derives from - [NATO Airpower and the Strategic Communications Challenge](https://www.japcc.org/articles/nato-airpower-and-the-strategic-communications-challenge/) - Introduction Even though the enemies that NATO and Western coalitions have faced in the last two decades are significantly inferior to NATO in terms of military cap­ability, both non-state and state enemies still have strategies to neutralize NATO advantages. Indeed, looking to undermine the will of our populations ­appears to be the best means to - [Institutionalizing Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Lessons Learned from Afghanistan](https://www.japcc.org/articles/institutionalizing-counter-improvised-explosive-device-lessons-learned-from-afghanistan-part-2/) - Introduction As this is the conclusion of a two-part article, it is highly recommended to read, or re-read, Part 1 before reading this portion. As a reminder, this article represents the distillation of many hundreds of hours of work, including a JAPCC team conducting a number of ‘fact finding’ visits to the International Security Assistance - [The TLP and the Pace of Change](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-tlp-and-the-pace-of-change/) - Introduction Change is associated in many cases with necessary actions, actions associated with positive effects, in politics, in aesthetics, in life. But this statement is not necessarily true if the changing subject already constitutes a relevant model of success. Altering the pillars and structures of a well-established working programme can inadvertently have unexpected negative impacts - [Innovative Commercial Space Capabilities in Support of NATO's Space Efforts and Theatre Operations](https://www.japcc.org/articles/innovative-commercial-space-capabilities-in-support-of-natos-space-efforts-and-theatre-operations/) - “NATO as an Alliance enabled by space relies on national and commercial space capabilities to support its missions and operations.” Schriever Wargame 2012 International Introduction The strategic advantage that space capabilities provide to NATO-led operations has been described and underlined in a variety of publications, strategy papers, and exercises like the Schriever Wargame 2012 International. - [Arctic Space Challenge for NATO Emerging from China’s Economic and Financial Assertiveness](https://www.japcc.org/articles/arctic-space-challenge-for-nato-emerging-from-chinas-economic-and-financial-assertiveness/) - Geopolitics in the Arctic Canada, Denmark/Greenland, Norway, Russia, and the United States (US) border the Arctic Ocean. These countries, together with Finland, Iceland and Sweden form the so-called Arctic Council, a consultative body that has governed, together with the United Nations (UN) Convention of the Law of the Sea, activities in the Arctic. This Council, - [Exploring Synergistic Potential of the Portuguese Space Strategy](https://www.japcc.org/articles/exploring-synergistic-potential-of-the-portuguese-space-strategy/) - Introduction Space is critical for societal activities and military operations. Inferring from this axiom one can state that ceasing access to space and space data will severely disrupt normality. This highlights the importance of the subject and identifies the need for coherent, thoroughly reasoned and oriented action. Portugal has done just that by constructing a - [NATO Space](https://www.japcc.org/articles/nato-space/) - ‘People see what they want to see and what people want to see never has anything to do with the truth.’1 Introduction On 4 December 2019, the North Atlantic Council announced in London: ‘We have declared space an operational domain for NATO, recognising its importance in keeping us safe and tackling security challenges, while upholding - [Contracting Civilians for Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Operations](https://www.japcc.org/articles/contracting-civilians-for-remotely-piloted-aircraft-system-operations/) - Introduction Afghanistan, 21 February 2010, 5 a.m.: A convoy of three vehicles is travelling along dark mountain roads heading towards a special operations team tasked to capture insurgent forces suspected of operating in the area. A fully armed Predator Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) is watching over them, cameras and sensors focussed on the suspicious convoy. - [Responsive Launch of ISR Satellites](https://www.japcc.org/articles/responsive-launch-of-isr-satellites/) - Introduction NATO operations rely on Space Support provided by satellites, such as Satellite Communications (SatCom), Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), as a critical mission enabler. The services of ISR systems, in particular, have become more and more essential to NATO’s decision-making and planning processes. However, NATO actually does not - [Space Support in NATO Operations](https://www.japcc.org/articles/space-support-in-nato-operations/) - Space Support Services NATO, as a technologically advanced Alliance, relies significantly on space-based services. NATO does not own or operate Space systems. Space systems will remain under national control for the foreseeable future. This necessitates a coordinating function to ensure Space support is continual for Alliance military operations. This role is provided by the Space - [Space Domain: A Global Vision](https://www.japcc.org/articles/space-domain-a-global-vision/) - Introduction Space technologies moved fast in the last decade. Enhanced and new technologies combined with a business-model evolution enabled the conception and realization of a new class of space assets, which addressed new challenges and more sophisticated needs of the global user community. If the technology evolution transverses civil and military domains, the construction of - [Space Resilience – Why and How?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/space-resilience-why-and-how/) - Introduction Modern warfare is highly reliant on Space. From GPS-guided munitions to Communications and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Space is almost ubiquitous when high-tech military applications are involved. The relevance of space-based services for military operations has grown to a point that NATO admits its substantial dependency on the domain. 1 For these reasons, - [Crossroads of Technologies and Authorities](https://www.japcc.org/articles/crossroads-of-technologies-and-authorities/) - ‘… with great power there must also come – great responsibility!’1 Introduction The United States (US) Military, particularly its Air Force and Army, are pursuing technical capabilities to facilitate Command and Control (C2) in multiple domains and/or across all domains … a tremendous capability (great power) indeed. While these efforts are not being pursued exclusively - [Communication as a Service](https://www.japcc.org/articles/communication-as-a-service/) - Understanding the Needs of Today’s Military Missions Modern threat scenarios in conflict regions are increasingly focusing on issues such as crisis management, asym­metric threats and international terrorism. This, plus the resulting shift in focus towards stabilization oper­ations, means that the range of duties and ob­jectives behind military response capabilities is now broader than ever before. - [Joint Employment Zones (JEZ+)](https://www.japcc.org/articles/joint-employment-zones-jez/) - BUZZ: ‘Halt! Who goes there?!’ The other toys are peeking over the edge of the bed. REX: ‘Don’t shoot! It’s okay! Friends!’ BUZZ (to Woody): ‘Do you know these life forms?’ WOODY: ‘Yes. They’re Andy’s toys.’ BUZZ: ‘Alright, everyone. You’re clear to come up.’ Buzz Light-year, Sheriff Woody and Dinosaur Rex. Toy Story (1995), Walt - [Small Nations in Joint Air Power](https://www.japcc.org/articles/small-nations-in-joint-air-power/) - Introduction NATO currently consists of 29 nations, soon to be 30. Each of these states has very individual national priorities, with different threat perceptions and existing defence capabilities. This article addresses the question of how small and resource-constrained countries can effectively fulfil their NATO commitments and contracts. The scope is constrained to the assessment of - [Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems](https://www.japcc.org/articles/remotely-piloted-aircraft-systems/) - Introduction In recent years, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) have been the aviation industry’s most dynamic growth sector and this trend is expected to continue. Market studies estimate that worldwide spending on RPAS will nearly double over the next decade, totalling almost $91 billion in the next ten years.1 The majority of these projected investments - [Preparing for a ‘Single European Sky’](https://www.japcc.org/articles/preparing-for-a-single-european-sky/) - Introduction Over the last 20 years, the European Union’s (EU) liberalisation of the internal market for air services and the substantial growth of demand in air transport have resulted in the significant development of the European aviation sector. The number and frequency of intra-EU as well as international routes flown and the number of passengers - [Ensuring Military Cross-Border Air Operations in Europe](https://www.japcc.org/articles/ensuring-military-cross-border-air-operations-in-europe/) - Introduction In 1999, the European Commission (EC) launched the ‘Single European Sky’ (SES) initiative to solve the European Air Traffic Management (ATM) system’s inability to deal with increasing congestion of the fragmented European airspace. Bolstered by subsequent European Union (EU) legislative packages, SES aims at a pan-European airspace independent of national borders as well as - [Using the Space Domain](https://www.japcc.org/articles/using-the-space-domain/) - Introduction In recent years, Space operations have developed into a remarkable field of strategic interest for technologically advanced nations and military activities. In particular, the discussions surrounding Space functions has increased significantly, as has the awareness of the dependence on Space by NATO member countries. It is commonly accepted in the NATO operational environment that - [Possibilities and Limits of a C2 (R)Evolution](https://www.japcc.org/articles/possibilities-and-limits-of-a-c2-revolution/) - Introduction Military planners often focus on the development of individual capabilities without considering how they will work in concert with the rest of a nation’s forces or let alone allied forces. As with any fine symphony orchestra, harmonizing these capabilities requires a world-class conductor. Command and Control (C2) systems – and their operators – are - [Future Considerations of BMC2](https://www.japcc.org/articles/future-considerations-of-bmc2/) - Air Power Principles Air Power is dependent on its ability to utilize speed, range, flexibility, precision, tempo and lethality in ­order to achieve successful effects at the strategic, oper­ational, and tactical levels of warfare. History has shown the control of the third dimension is generally a necessary precondition for land and sea elements to have - [Be Advised, Training in Progress](https://www.japcc.org/articles/be-advised-training-in-progress/) - Introduction Not every useful skill is readiliy visible. That is why the 15 Specialized Heavy Air Refuelling Course (SHARC) Course-0 and the 12 Course-1 graduates do not appear different, but they are! After two busy weeks and nearly 80 study hours, these students are the first ­NATO-trained Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) planners, ready to support the - [Managing Space Education and Training in NATO](https://www.japcc.org/articles/managing-space-education-and-training-in-nato/) - Introduction On 24 May 2016, the Assistant Director of the JAPCC, Air Commodore Madeleine Spit signed the Appointment Letter officially confirming the designation of the JAPCC as Department Head (DH) for ‘Space Support to NATO Operations’.1 For our Centre of Excellence, this means assuming a leading role with significant responsibilities in ensuring the provision of - [Shortfalls in NATO’s Space Education](https://www.japcc.org/articles/shortfalls-in-natos-space-education/) - Introduction Space support plays a significant role in today’s military operations and governmental decision-making processes. The current technical advantage in Space allows the NATO Alliance to act more precisely, make assessments earlier based on independent data, and maximize the benefits of modern command and control. However, technical developments are ongoing worldwide and it is challenging - [Education and Training (E&T) Post-Afghanistan](https://www.japcc.org/articles/education-and-training-et-post-afghanistan/) - Professional Mastering Any soldier, especially at the leadership level, must have the competencies and skills that enable them to thoroughly plan and execute operations utilising timely decision-making in order to successfully handle these challenges. All too often, todays military leaders, particularly those that have been, or perceive themselves as having been “on the winning side - [The Value of Common Air Transport Training](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-value-of-common-air-transport-training/) - Introduction In a changing and unpredictable security environment, the quest for higher quantity and quality of allied military capabilities is a logical one. However, despite widespread austerity and limited defence budgets, there is a call for rebalancing defence spending and capabilities between European NATO Nations, Canada, and the United States to achieve an equitable sharing - [European Air Transport Command](https://www.japcc.org/articles/european-air-transport-command/) - Introduction When the European Air Transport Command (EATC) was established in 2010, it was the most suitable solution for some European nations in search of a trustworthy and flexible solution to optimize the use of scarce air transport resources and to face harsh operational challenges. Since then, EATC evolved quickly, growing from the initial four - [The Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet Programme](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-multinational-multi-role-tanker-transport-fleet-programme/) - ‘Competition has been shown to be useful up to a certain point and no further, but cooperation, which is the thing we must strive for today, begins where competition leaves off.’1 Franklin D. Roosevelt Introduction During the Cold War, strategic Air Transport (AT) did not play such an important role among the priorities of European - [Forward MEDEVAC Challenges](https://www.japcc.org/articles/forward-medevac-challenges/) - Two Problems Current military operations have shown that medical support is a fundamental capability for an expeditionary military force. This operational requirement has been emphasised in theatres such as Afghanistan, where local medical facilities have been completely depleted by war, rendering host nation medical support less than adequate according to Western standards. In addition, the - [Double Counting or Counting Double?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/double-counting-or-counting-double/) - Introduction NATO nations are in the process of a much needed modernisation of their Air Transport (AT) and Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) fleets, and in many cases, are choosing airframes that can perform both missions. For strategic applications, nations are procuring versions of the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) or a variant of the - [A400M: Europe’s Interoperability Poster Child?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/a400m-europes-interoperability-poster-child/) - Introduction Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) has quickly surfaced on the lists of many Nations and multilateral organisations as a major defence capability area needing attention. In 2011, the European Defence Agency (EDA), under the authority of the council of the European Union (EU), identified AAR and Air Transport (AT) in its initial list of the top - [Close Air Support of the Future](https://www.japcc.org/articles/close-air-support-of-the-future/) - Introduction After the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan, many of the Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP), as well as Lessons Learned/Lessons Identified (LL/LI) evolved within permissive air environments. Indeed, in the past 20 years, the vast majority of NATO operations involving air power have enjoyed Air Superiority - [New Technologies](https://www.japcc.org/articles/new-technologies/) - Introduction “A number of significant technology-related trends – including the development of laser weapons, electronic warfare and technologies that impede access to space – appear poised to have major global effects that will impact on NATO military planning and operations.” NATO Strategic Concept 2010 Since its inception over one hundred years ago, aviation has always - [Improving NATO Air Training](https://www.japcc.org/articles/improving-nato-air-training/) - ‘Si vis pacem, para bellum’1 Publius Flavius Vegetius To many military professionals, being well prepared for war means, among other things, one has the best equipment, updated doctrine and optimum training for a spectrum of future conflicts. Indeed, once there is a formulated idea of the future environment, NATO can, and should, update its next-generation - [Hybrid/Electric Aero-Propulsion](https://www.japcc.org/articles/hybrid-electric-aero-propulsion/) - Introduction The use of electricity is part of the history of aviation from the very beginning. From the first electrically-powered airship in 1883 to an electric-powered helicopter used as a tethered air observation platform in 1917. Ever since those early days of aviation battery systems have been the limiting factor for sustained electrical flight. It - [The New Aircraft Cross-Servicing Programme of NATO](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-new-aircraft-cross-servicing-programme-of-nato/) - Introduction NATO’s military alliance consists of 30 independent countries. For several reasons they have many different types of military aircraft, but in some cases there are multiple nations operating the same aircraft type. For the alliance to use those aircraft in a comparable way, agreements are required to make it possible to achieve similar flexibility. - [Countering Anti-Access / Area Denial](https://www.japcc.org/articles/countering-anti-access-area-denial/) - Introduction The term Anti Access / Area Denial (A2/AD) has become noticeably more prevalent in current military documents, articles and assessments over the last two decades. However, does A2/AD constitute a new, unprecedented type of threat to NATO, or is it just a fashionable, new name for a not-so-new way of using existing military means? - [The Electromagnetic Spectrum: The Cross Domain](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-electromagnetic-spectrum-the-cross-domain/) - ‘Electronic Warfare (EW) is military action that exploits electromagnetic (EM) energy to provide situational awareness and achieve offensive and defensive effects. EW, the conduct of Electromagnetic Operations (EMO), is Warfare in the Electromagnetic Environment (EME).’1 This simple yet broad definition from the highest level of NATO effectively covers all domains and a multitude of activities. - [Beyond SEAD](https://www.japcc.org/articles/beyond-sead/) - Introduction In ‘The History of the Peloponnesian War’, the ancient Greek philosopher-historian Thucydides charted the war events which took place between Athens and Sparta (431–404 BC). One of the most significant parts is the ‘Melian dialogue’1, where representatives of Athens and Melos negotiate the submission of the Melos Island. During the dialogue, the Athenian envoys - [The Future NATO Rotorcraft Force](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-future-nato-rotorcraft-force/) - Introduction During the Wales summit in 2014, the need for modern, robust and capable forces at high readiness, in the air, on land, and at sea, in order to meet current and future challenges was highlighted. It was stated NATO joint air power capabilities require longer-term consideration and an analyses of the future role of - [Rotary Wing Unmanned Aerial Systems](https://www.japcc.org/articles/rotary-wing-unmanned-aerial-systems/) - Introduction Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) are proliferating across the spectrum of military and civilian fields. NATO has recognized the importance of these systems, and is transforming to take advantage of them. Various NATO and non-NATO organizations are working the complex issues associated with UAS operations within the Alliance1. As the current levels of global market - [Manned-Unmanned Teaming](https://www.japcc.org/articles/manned-unmanned-teaming/) - Introduction In the next decade, a number of nations will replace or update their current helicopter fleets.1 Aware of this, the NATO community has set up different working/study groups, to determine the requirements for the new generation of combat/transport helicopters. Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capability could be one of these requirements. The technology and the capabilities - [The Extended Air Defence Task Force](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-extended-air-defence-task-force/) - History The Extended Air Defence Task Force (EADTF), comprising Germany, The Netherlands and the United States, was formally established on the 3rd December 1999 in Burbach, Germany. The principal reason for the formation of the EADTF was the frank admission that more robust cooperation was required amongst the NATO PATRIOT weapon system user community. More - [Nimble Titan](https://www.japcc.org/articles/nimble-titan/) - Introduction and Background Since the beginning of armed conflicts, weapons have been used to gain advantage on the battlefield. The chronological and developmental successor of arrows, catapults, and cannons, Ballistic Missiles (BM) entered the battlefield in 1944 and rapidly evolved into an instrument of global force projection, with the capability to deliver mass destruction over - [How can Modelling and Simulation Support Integrated Air and Missile Defence?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/how-can-modelling-and-simulation-support-integrated-air-and-missile-defence/) - Introduction Modelling and Simulation (M&S) is nothing new, especially for training purposes in the military domain, although the extensive use of Information Technology (IT) has changed opportunities for the use of M&S. In order to be prepared for actual combat, soldiers need to train and exercise their skills to increase their chances of success. Since - [Improving Ballistic Missile Defence Interoperability](https://www.japcc.org/articles/improving-ballistic-missile-defence-interoperability/) - Introduction NATO leaders announced at the 2010 Lisbon Summit that the Alliance would expand its Active Layered Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence (ALTBMD) capabilities ‘to provide full coverage and protection for all NATO European populations, territory, and forces’.1 This shield will eventually span all NATO European territory and must be capable of reacting to threats on - [The Importance of Integrated Air and Missile Defence Training](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-importance-of-integrated-air-and-missile-defence-training/) - Introduction In January 1991, the Netherlands deployed two PATRIOT squadrons under Article 4 of the NATO agreement to South-East Turkey in support of operation ‘Desert Shield’. Not long afterwards a third PATRIOT Squadron was sent to Israel, in support of their air defence against Iraqi ballistic missiles. Not more than five days after the initial - [Breaking Integrated Air Defence with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Swarms](https://www.japcc.org/articles/breaking-integrated-air-defence-with-unmanned-aerial-vehicle-swarms/) - Introduction As technology improves, so does the capacity to expand defensive perimeters to ever increasing ranges both horizontally and vertically. This enables an adversary to keep friendly advanced systems outside his sphere of influence, or more specifically, to deny access to specific areas of operation. In the current vernacular, this is called an Anti-Access / Area - [Laser-Based Space Debris Removal](https://www.japcc.org/articles/laser-based-space-debris-removal/) - Introduction Critical infrastructures are organizations and institutions whose failure or impairment would cause sustained shortage of supplies, significant disruption of public security, or other dramatic consequences for the state or community they support.1 A similar definition is given by the US Department of Homeland Security: ‘Critical infrastructures are systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, - [The Changing Arctic and its Impact to NATO Joint Air Power](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-changing-arctic-and-its-impact-to-nato-joint-air-power/) - Introduction Once a tense underwater battleground and strategic corridor for nuclear-armed bombers, the Arctic has lost much of its significance to NATO since the fall of the Soviet Union. However, Russia is now militarizing the Arctic and the world is beginning to understand why. Allowing one nation to militarize a region unopposed is ill-advised, especially - [Interoperability Through Innovation](https://www.japcc.org/articles/interoperability-through-innovation/) - Introduction As the war in Afghanistan comes to its pre-planned conclusion after 13 years, nations will be faced with decisions that will shape the future of warfare. The probable reduction of defence spending over the next decade will undoubtedly affect force structures, emerging weapons systems and combat readiness. International resolve to work together, build capacity - [Light-Attack Aircraft](https://www.japcc.org/articles/light-attack-aircraft/) - Introduction The projection of Air Power today is clearly focused on the operation and advancement of 5th generation fighter aircraft, such as the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, and on the continuous development of Unmanned Combat Aircraft Systems (UCAS), such as the Predator C Avenger. It might appear that the complete coverage of Air - [The Rise of Close Air Support after World War II](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-rise-of-close-air-support-after-world-war-ii/) - Introduction On a cold, clear night in Afghanistan in November 2011, an Air Force AC-130 Gunship and an AH-64 Apache check in with the Army ground party they are to work with. Both aircraft are providing close air support (CAS) utilizing the latest in sensor technology and accurate weaponry. The ground parties are glad to - [The Advent of the ‘Armed Drones’](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-advent-of-the-armed-drones/) - Introduction As NATO looks beyond its current deployment to Afghanistan and prepares for the 2014 Summit, it would do well to begin both informal and formal discussions over what role armed drones may play in Alliance operations. With drone warfare playing an increasingly important part of modern warfare, their use begs the question: to what - [Precision-Guided Munitions of the Future](https://www.japcc.org/articles/precision-guided-munitions-of-the-future/) - ‘War has always been a chameleon, it is ever-changing, adapting to new circumstances and camouflaging itself …’ Carl von Clausewitz (1780–1831) Introduction There has been a remarkable acceleration with the use of guided weapons since Operation Desert Storm, where unguided dumb bombs were the norm. After Operation Desert Storm, NATO members increased the use of - [Electromagnetic Operations in ‘Grey Zone’ Conflicts](https://www.japcc.org/articles/electromagnetic-operations-in-grey-zone-conflicts/) - Introduction The Future Security Environment will be dynamic and ambiguous, as well as increasingly complex and uncertain1 . Evidence of this assertion are the recent conflicts in Crimea and Donbass area in eastern Ukraine. Both depict a whole new challenge; an undeclared form of warfare. These actions, carried out by the Russian Federation, with a clear - [Embracing Transformation](https://www.japcc.org/articles/embracing-transformation/) - Since you took over your position as the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force in late 2018, what do you think will be the challenges and priorities the Italian Air Force needs to address? Since its origin, Military Aviation has been faced with two challenges: how to effectively counter the air capabilities of - [Exercise Virtual Magic](https://www.japcc.org/articles/exercise-virtual-magic/) - Introduction In April of 2014 the E-3A and E-3D Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Components conducted Exercise VIRTUAL MAGIC, in which AWACS Combat-Ready mission crews at Geilenkirchen Air Base, Germany, linked operations with Combat-Ready mission crews at RAF Waddington, UK, in order to conduct a simulated exercise in the virtual environment. Virtual Magic was - [Electronic Warfare – The Forgotten Discipline](https://www.japcc.org/articles/electronic-warfare-the-forgotten-discipline/) - Introduction If people talk about a modern conflict, most agree that such a conflict will be fought in all dimensions possible. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has a good view about threats it might encounter on land, on and below the sea, in the air, and in space. Furthermore, cyberspace is increasingly a bright - [Preserving NATO’s C2 Edge](https://www.japcc.org/articles/preserving-natos-c2-edge/) - Introduction Mission Training through Distributed Simulation (MTDS) began in the late 1990s as an internal training system, and through the work of the NATO E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Component, it is now a significant model for simulating various military capabilities in team play throughout NATO. In the last two years, MTDS has - [Swedish Tactical Aerial Reconnaissance and NATO](https://www.japcc.org/articles/swedish-tactical-aerial-reconnaissance-and-nato/) - Introduction Swedish Tactical Aerial Reconnaissance (TAR) has, like other parts of Swedish Armed Forces’ (SwAF) capability, followed shifts of emphasis in doctrine and practice. In particular, at the end of the Cold War, it moved from a posture focusing on fending off a Warsaw Pact invasion towards greater emphasis on deployed interventions abroad. More recently, - [Air Strikes Against Terrorist Leadership](https://www.japcc.org/articles/air-strikes-against-terrorist-leadership/) - Introduction Since the United States began worldwide military operations in response to the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, our military has been increasingly tasked to fight Violent Extremist Organizations (VEO).1 Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, characterized by large, conventional troop mobilizations and nation-building exercises, have been inconclusive. Recent hostilities in Mali, Yemen, Syria, and Libya have - [Capability in Practice and Tactical Superiority](https://www.japcc.org/articles/capability-in-practice-and-tactical-superiority/) - Introduction Deterrence is the act of making someone decide not to do something, it is about preventing a particular act or behaviour from happening. Deterrence is a strategic effect.1 In political terms, deterrence means: ‘developing … military power so that other countries will not attack your country’.2 The principal question then becomes what comprises sufficient - [Satisfying ISR Requirements in Stabilization Missions – Is Contracting the Right Option?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/satisfying-isr-requirements-in-stabilization-missions-is-contracting-the-right-option/) - Introduction The trend of outsourcing services and parts of businesses to third-party manufacturers or service providers has become more and more fashionable since the 1990s. One main reason is businesses wanting to focus on their own core strengths in high-tech aspects of the work, while leaving baseline work and services to others that specialize in - [Doing the Same with Less](https://www.japcc.org/articles/doing-the-same-with-less/) - Introduction While the fight against DAESH1 is conducted through a ‘Coalition of the Willing’, there are no ongoing large-scale NATO-led operations. Additionally, though the exact outcome of the Ukraine crisis is still unknown, the recent temporary increase of Air Policing along the eastern borders of the Alliance was not planned, at least not initially, to - [Standardizing Automated Air-to-Air Refuelling](https://www.japcc.org/articles/standardizing-automated-air-to-air-refuelling/) - Introduction Researchers have been studying the possibility of refuelling aircraft without a human at the controls for nearly two decades. Finally, that research is coming to fruition. In 2007, an Automated Aerial Refuelling Demonstration (AARD) achieved a major milestone by conducting the first automated (piloted but ‘hands off’) engagement of a probe and drogue system. - [Aerial Tanking in 2035](https://www.japcc.org/articles/aerial-tanking-in-2035/) - ‘In-flight refuelling converts the tactical fighter into a strategic, long-range participant.’ Anthony Mason, Royal Air Force Air Vice Marshal1 Predicting the future is a tenuous endeavour at best, as there are simply too many variables to take into account. The best military strategists can hope for is to look to the past to help shape - [Unmanned Aerial Systems Miniaturization](https://www.japcc.org/articles/unmanned-aerial-systems-miniaturization/) - Introduction The design of the first-ever Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) that appeared in the late 1970s and early 1980s was determined, and limited, by the payload size and weight of the sensors available. During that time the production of high-definition aerial imagery required a platform which today is called NATO class 2 UAS1, weighing between - [NATO E-3A and AGS Interoperability](https://www.japcc.org/articles/nato-e-3a-and-ags-interoperability/) - ‘Information is only of value if you give it to people who have the ability to do something with it.’1 General Stanley McChrystal Introduction Military success rests on effective Command and Control (C2). It enables the conversion of a commander’s vision and intent into operational action.2 In the background of developing both the vision and - [No Fair Fights](https://www.japcc.org/articles/no-fair-fights/) - The monopoly of violence is one element that confirms the statehood of modern nations. By agreeing to allocate ways and means to exert and control violence, the society also defines red lines: The legitimate rules for the use of force, establishing norms and values for a fair fight. Introduction Russia’s recent behaviour and actions are - [Optical Data Links for Aerial Applications](https://www.japcc.org/articles/optical-data-links-for-aerial-applications/) - Introduction Optical fibres move tens of terabits of data every second between cities and across oceans. But for the majority of Earth’s surface, where running fibre is impractical physically or financially, communication satellites in space provide connectivity to remote ground users and also to mobile platforms such as aircraft, ships, and even other satellites. These - [What’s Past is Prologue](https://www.japcc.org/articles/whats-past-is-prologue/) - The Nightmare Scenario – The Near Future Social media explodes with overnight reports of ‘Little Green Men’1 swarming through majority Russian speaking regions that had declared autonomy the day prior in Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. Ground reports indicate large numbers of Russian transport aircraft landed at airfields in those rebel held areas. SA-212 Surface to Air - [How NATO Makes the Unknown Known](https://www.japcc.org/articles/how-nato-makes-the-unknown-known/) - Introduction Joint Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) plays a vital role in all military operations. Decision-makers and action-takers use the information and intelligence gained from surveillance and reconnaissance missions to make informed, timely and accurate judgements. While surveillance and reconnaissance can help to answer the questions ‘what’, ‘when’, and ‘where’, the combined elements from various - [Unmanned Cargo Aircraft!](https://www.japcc.org/articles/unmanned-cargo-aircraft/) - Introduction A decade ago unmanned aircraft were a virtually ­unknown phenomenon. Today, thousands are in use worldwide and the use for military and civil applications is growing very fast. One of those applications is Unmanned Cargo Aircraft (UCA). The Advisory Council for Aviation Research and Innovation in Europe (ACARE) assumes in her strategic 2011 agenda1 - [China’s Aerospace Power 2015](https://www.japcc.org/articles/chinas-aerospace-power-2015/) - This article is an abbreviated version of a longer ­essay written in September 2014. The full version can be provided on request. Introduction Since the early 1990s, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has undertaken an ambitious programme of modernizing the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), one that continues vigorously today. Significant economic growth within the - [Unmanned Technology](https://www.japcc.org/articles/unmanned-technology/) - Introduction From the beginning of history, every society has sought to attain military supremacy over their potential rivals. It has always been recognised that military power was needed to protect territories and interests from competitors or to otherwise enlarge dominions. In many instances, this supremacy was attained by using all available national capabilities, including its - [Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT)](https://www.japcc.org/articles/strength-weakness-opportunity-and-threat-swot/) - Introduction The increase of the terrorist activities since the last decade of 20th century around the world confirmed that future military conflicts will not be conventional like those in previous centuries. As a result, counter terrorism emerged as a problem area for many states. At the same time, there have been differences on the meaning - [African Relations](https://www.japcc.org/articles/african-relations/) - “… beyond our [Alliance] frontiers there is uncertainty and insecurity, … my first and enduring priority will be to ensure that NATO remains vigilant and prepared to meet the challenges and threats of the future.” General Philip Mark Breedlove, USAF, SACEUR, 13 May 2013 Introduction Europe is part of an area of influence where conflict - [Air Power](https://www.japcc.org/articles/air-power/) - Introduction Independent Air Power has been an enduring theme of military aviation since man first took to the skies. It underpinned the establishment of air forces and led some airmen to adopt particularly firm views on the ‘correct’ use of air power. But this ­debate has clouded the real issue and made an ­examination of - [NATO’s Air Strategy After Afghanistan](https://www.japcc.org/articles/natos-air-strategy-after-afghanistan/) - Introduction The end of the Cold War brought an increase in NATO’s reliance on Air Power as NATO and the Alliance nations have repeatedly turned to Air Power as their first, and in some cases only, military response option. Heavy and long term land operations are neither finan­cially feasible nor politically sustainable. Thus, the need - [Joint Air & Space Power Conference 2013](https://www.japcc.org/articles/joint-air-space-power-conference-2013/) - Introduction The JAPCC’s annual conference is fast approaching and JAPCC Staff is eagerly looking forward to the start of the event. We have high expectations that we hope will yield thought-provoking and interesting dialogue. The air power principles of pre-2001 have evolved with recent operational events. The key challenge will be identifying the developments which - [Capable, Ready and Relevant](https://www.japcc.org/articles/capable-ready-and-relevant/) - Introduction In 1978, 12 member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) joined together in a one-of-a kind agreement to provide an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capability to the Alliance.1 Originally procured to overcome a serious deficiency in the air defence system of the time, over the past thirty years the NATO - [The $50.00 Cognitive Swiss Army Knife](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-50-00-cognitive-swiss-army-knife/) - Introduction If asked: ‘Are there temporal similarities between simu­lation systems and aerial photographs?’ Most people would answer: ‘Yes. They were both achievements of the 20th century.’ They couldn’t be more wrong. On 13 October 1860, James Wallace Black took the first successful aerial photographs from a hot air balloon at 1,200 feet. By chance, one - [Developing Future Force Protection Capability](https://www.japcc.org/articles/developing-future-force-protection-capability-part-2/) - Introduction In the first part of this article the author set the scene for the definition of what can be described as a Force Protection (FP) Minimum Military Requirement (MMR). The thinking behind this work is that if a MMR can be defined that will provided a satisfactory level of protection across a spectrum of - [Be the Windscreen, Not the Bug](https://www.japcc.org/articles/be-the-windscreen-not-the-bug/) - Introduction What is Cyber? More importantly, why should you as a military professional, commander and airman even care to understand? Frankly, what Cyber is defined as precisely and whether it be anointed as its own ­domain is irrelevant. Your general awareness of Cyber, its risks and associated consequences from an oper­ational planning and continuity of - [Intellectual Interoperability and Higher Education](https://www.japcc.org/articles/intellectual-interoperability-and-higher-education/) - Introduction The read-ahead material for the 2013 JAPCC Conference touched on the concept of ‘Intellectual Inter­operability’. In the context of how useful – or even ­essential – the application of this concept might be for NATO Air Power, it is worth con­sidering the role that Uni­ver­sities might play in this. I will just pause here - [Capacity Language Building in NATO](https://www.japcc.org/articles/capacity-language-building-in-nato/) - Introduction The purpose of this article is to present a recent survey of the necessity of language skills. The primary investigation shows the current capabilities and proposes issues for consideration. As English is one of the two official NATO languages, we believe an improved and direct language skill method of teaching should be used. Language - [Air and Space Power in NATO – Future Vector Project](https://www.japcc.org/articles/air-and-space-power-in-nato-future-vector-project/) - The Future Vector Project General Gorenc, the JAPCC Director, formed a team of highly-respected experts to study the current state of NATO Air and Space Power in order to recommend ­viable, near-term (2020) and long-term (2040) solutions and goals that the Alliance should strive for to underpin a future robust Air and Space Power capability. - [Europe’s Strategic Airlift Gap](https://www.japcc.org/articles/europes-strategic-airlift-gap/) - Introduction The identity, mission, and requirements of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have been evolving since the end of the Cold War. The pace of this evolution in mission sets has been increasing and on a vector towards a more global and rapid expeditionary force responding to both conflict and humani­tarian need. Strategic airlift - [First Collective AAR Clearance Trial](https://www.japcc.org/articles/first-collective-aar-clearance-trial/) - Europe Must Do More On 22 March 2012, the 26 European Union (EU) Defence Ministers declared Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) a cri­tical capability shortfall in Europe. Indeed, only seven EU Member States can currently deploy tanker aircraft, spread across twelve different types, which are further handcuffed because more than 40 % of the required clearances are missing. - [The Final Frontier](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-final-frontier/) - The Space domain is increasingly congested, contested and competitive and NATO is now, more than ever, dependent on Space. When discussing the Space domain, NATO is focusing on protecting access to Space as one of the global commons and on Space support to NATO Operations. In 2008, the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) published - [NATO Deployable Airbase Activation Modules](https://www.japcc.org/articles/nato-deployable-airbase-activation-modules/) - Introduction While the current Force Planning methodology in NATO is highly consistent and stringent, one significant weakness is the system completely depends on the nations to quickly provide sufficient capability1 once a planned contingency is activated or an unforeseen crisis emerges. Assuming a Very High Readiness Joint Task Force should be ‘ready to move the - [Looking Up Together](https://www.japcc.org/articles/looking-up-together/) - Introduction Modern societies are increasingly reliant on space-based services. Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), satellite imagery, and long-distance communications to include media broadcasting as well as the World Wide Web are only few examples of the wide spectrum of services on which civil and military actors rely. This also means large numbers of related assets - [Better Together](https://www.japcc.org/articles/better-together/) - ‘Because we live in times with new security threats, with instability, and we don’t need more instability. We don’t need less cooperation in Europe; we need more.’ NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg1 Introduction In July 2016, NATO and the European Union (EU) leaders signed a Joint Declaration solidifying their commitment to greater collaboration and asserting - [Future Battlefield Rotorcraft Capability](https://www.japcc.org/articles/future-battlefield-rotorcraft-capability-3/) - The Hardware Based on the conclusions drawn in the previous two articles, the ideal future capability would consist of both manned and unmanned rotorcraft of different sizes for maximum operational effectiveness and efficiency, and as such be hybrid in nature. For the purpose of distinction those sizes will further be designated ‘light’, ‘medium’, and ‘heavy’. - [NATO SEAD Course](https://www.japcc.org/articles/nato-sead-course/) - Background It has been widely acknowledged that the past two decades have been bad for Air Electronic Warfare (EW) development owing to the West’s deep involvement in counter-insurgency in Afghanistan and the Middle-East. While advances in flare technology and Infrared Radiation (IR) countermeasures have continued, the absence of any real radar-laid threat has led to - [The Future of Air Power and the Future of European Defence Industry](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-future-of-air-power-and-the-future-of-european-defence-industry/) - Introduction The JAPCC turns 15 – fifteen years dedicated to competence in air power! Unlike sea and land power, both of which also represent geostrategic terms, air power is much less related to the ‘classical’ notion of ‘geography’. For instance, being geographically distant from a crisis does not mean too much in terms of security - [State’s Right to Self-Defence in Outer Space](https://www.japcc.org/articles/states-right-to-self-defence-in-outer-space/) - Introduction NATO clearly identified outer space as the fifth military domain beside air, land, sea and cyberspace on November 2019, in response to expanding issues over protecting space assets from hostile intentions such as interference.1 As mentioned by the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, during a press conference in Brussels ‘this can allow NATO planners - [The Case of PEGASUS](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-case-of-pegasus/) - Introduction The space sector is strategic. It offers nations science and technology, industrial power, economic return and military power. Space is becoming more accessible. More countries now have the opportunity to use more or less sophisticated space assets and it is becoming more competitive with the involvement of more private organizations. Overall, space is providing - [Increasing Interoperability in NATO’s Air-Delivery Cargo Fleet](https://www.japcc.org/articles/increasing-interoperability-in-natos-air-delivery-cargo-fleet/) - The emphasis on air integration is very important to us. We know that we are never going to fight alone – it’s always going to be joint, it’s always going to be combined. Which is why on the combined side it’s a NATO exercise, and on the joint side we want to fight in all - [Space Tribes](https://www.japcc.org/articles/space-tribes/) - ‘Where you stand depends on where you sit.’1 Rufus Edward Miles Jr. Introduction ‘We have declared space an operational domain for NATO, recognising its importance in keeping us safe and tackling security challenges, while upholding international law,’2 announced the North Atlantic Council, from London, on 4 December 2019. This recognition has been widely celebrated across the - [To Be or Not to Be Classified](https://www.japcc.org/articles/to-be-or-not-to-be-classified/) - Introduction Space Support plays a significant role in modern warfare and is a key enabler for NATO’s technical advantage. Worldwide technical developments challenge this advantage, while Space has become congested and contested. Consequently, NATO developed an Overarching Space Policy (OSP)1 in 2019, which finally led to the declaration of Space as an operational domain for NATO - [Congested Outer Space](https://www.japcc.org/articles/congested-outer-space/) - Introduction When thinking about satellite construction, most people envision multi-billion dollar projects and satellites which are equal to the size of a city bus. The satellite itself includes expensive equipment as well as propulsion systems, which are capable of manoeuvring to different orbits to avoid collisions with space debris or other assets. This was the - [New Space](https://www.japcc.org/articles/new-space/) - Introduction The importance of Space-based capabilities in today’s modern world and especially in technologically advanced armed forces is beyond dispute. Satellite communications, precise positioning and navigation, time synchronization as well as Space-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) bring inestimable advantages to the modern warfighter. The Military played a leading role in developing Space capabilities and - [Responsive Space for NATO Operations](https://www.japcc.org/articles/responsive-space-for-nato-operations/) - Introduction Space Support plays a significant role in modern warfare. After the fall of the iron curtain, the threat to western Space assets and capabilities was significantly diminished. The current development of Space capabilities, especially on the commercial side, as well as the increased number of Space users, has changed this situation. Use of the - [Space](https://www.japcc.org/articles/space/) - Introduction In 2013, the Hollywood movie ‘Gravity’ brilliantly ­depicted the effects that Space debris can have on objects orbiting the earth. The story is more fact-based than fiction. The Space Shuttle crew conducts an Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA), working on a captured satellite. While the mission specialist and the mission commander repair a broken satellite ­panel, - [A Model of the Space Debris Environment](https://www.japcc.org/articles/a-model-of-the-space-debris-environment/) - State of Knowledge Space debris is already an important part of the space environment which must be considered during planning and operation of a satellite or constellation of ­satellites. If larger objects are approaching the satellite, it is sometimes necessary to perform avoidance man­oeuvres. The orbits of larger objects, those greater than ten centimetres, are - [100 Years of the Royal Air Force](https://www.japcc.org/articles/100-years-of-the-royal-air-force/) - Introduction The Royal Air Force (RAF) was founded on 1 April 1918 during the final year of the First World War. Prior to this, however, a number of British Generals advocated the need for a separate air force able to conduct air operations in concert with the Royal Navy and the British Army, but also - [Challenges of Future SEAD Operations](https://www.japcc.org/articles/challenges-of-future-sead-operations/) - Fight for Control of the Skies The advent of balloons in 1783, and their military employment during the American Civil War (1861–1865) and the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871),1 highlighted the significance of controlling the skies over a battlefield, and compelled military forces to develop anti-air platform warfare or, in other words, an ‘Air Defence’ (AD) mission. - [Countering Hybrid Threats with Air Power?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/countering-hybrid-threats-with-air-power/) - Introduction Events of 2014 forced NATO member states to reconsider the international security environment. In the East, Russia’s annexation of Crimea took the world by surprise. Russia’s swift victory appeared especially impressive because it stood in stark contrast to the failures of its past military interventions, and it challenged the Western perception that its military - [The Role of BMD in Deterrence?](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-role-of-bmd-in-deterrence/) - What is Deterrence? According to the Oxford Online Dictionary, deterrence is defined as: ‘The action of discouraging an action or event through instilling doubt or fear of the consequences.’1 This is similar to the NATO Terminology Database definition: ‘The convincing of a potential aggressor that the consequences of coercion or armed conflict would outweigh the - [Developing Solutions for Multinational Interoperability](https://www.japcc.org/articles/developing-solutions-for-multinational-interoperability/) - ‘Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.’ Henry Ford Interoperability – What is the Problem? Darts and golf are sports played by individuals. Most able-bodied darts or golf players would agree that the process runs more smoothly if they perform the motions on their own, rather than being - [Beating Cold](https://www.japcc.org/articles/beating-cold/) - ‘NATO needs realistic training, where we can combine operations in the air, at sea and on land. In Norway we get everything, this is one of the best places to train in Europe … The cold climate also brings extra challenges for the soldiers that hones their skill.’ General Mercier on Exercise Trident Juncture 20181 - [SEAD Operations of the Future](https://www.japcc.org/articles/sead-operations-of-the-future/) - Introduction Destroying or disrupting an enemy’s air defence has long been central to any air campaign because it enables friendly air superiority/supremacy that protects friendly forces and allows freedom of movement. Without effective Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD), all other joint activities in a campaign carry a higher degree of risk. Historically, 15% to - [The Multinational Aviation Training Centre (MATC)](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-multinational-aviation-training-centre-matc/) - Introduction One of the results of conducting years of combat oper­ations in Afghanistan is improved interoperabil­ity across the NATO nations. Despite this, it has been noted in numerous JAPCC studies that there is still a lot of room for improvement, especially in the air oper­ations communities.1 One of the areas where improved interoperability is needed - [The Electromagnetic Environment and the Global Commons](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-electromagnetic-environment-and-the-global-commons/) - Introduction The lessons learned from the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria provide a unique insight into the complexity of conducting military operations in a congested and contested Electro-Magnetic Spectrum (EMS). Even though the term ‘spectrum’ is well understood by the majority, it is the Electro-Magnetic Environment (EME) which best captures the message NATO tries to - [Joint Personnel Recovery 2040](https://www.japcc.org/articles/joint-personnel-recovery-2040/) - Introduction During the last decade, the geopolitical environment has changed significantly, and it is expected to change even more quickly in the years to come. Nations and military organizations have been forced to address, on a nearly daily basis, how the rapidly changing global environment might affect their own strategic vision and the Future Operational - [Air Command and Control in NATO](https://www.japcc.org/articles/air-command-and-control-in-nato/) - Introduction This article will discuss the Air Command and Control (Air C2) organisation in NATO with regard to Operation Unified Protector (OUP) in 2011. It will focus on recognizing the challenges from the Air Campaign, which ended 31 October 2011. Specifically, the takeover by NATO of an ongoing operation and the challenges therein will be - [Italian Bio-transport During COVID-19](https://www.japcc.org/articles/italian-bio-transport-during-covid-19/) - Introduction The Italian Air Force (ITAF) contributes to the Ministry of Defence Coronavirus DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic plan of action with various capabilities and structures. A key example of this is the implementation of the Bio-containment team of the Pratica di Mare main infirmary, composed of doctors and nurses specialized in air transport of infectious - [The Italian Air Force’s International Flight Training School](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-italian-air-forces-international-flight-training-school/) - Setting the Stage The Italian Air Force’s (ITAF) world-renowned excellence for flight training and the Leonardo Company’s leadership in integrated-training solutions come together to create the brand new International Flight Training School (IFTS) in Italy. The announcement of this joint venture between the Italian Air Force and Leonardo was made on 17 July 2018 at - [The Romanian Air Force – 15 Years in NATO](https://www.japcc.org/articles/the-romanian-air-force-15-years-in-nato/) - Where does the Romanian Air Force (ROU AF) stand after fifteen years membership of the North Atlantic Alliance? To start with, I would like to stress that it is a great privilege for me to provide the readers with an overview of the current missions and challenges of the ROU AF and I want to - [Future Command and Control of Electronic Warfare](https://www.japcc.org/articles/future-command-and-control-of-electronic-warfare/) - New Functional Services are on Their Way to Enhance NATO’s Ability to Effectively Command and Control Electromagnetic Operations. Introduction During a NATO-led operation, a helicopter crashed due to a malfunction. The helicopter crashed well within a contested area. Unfortunately, the pilot was not able to transmit his last position prior to the crash. This event - [Big Data in ISR](https://www.japcc.org/articles/big-data-in-isr/) - Introduction Over the past few decades, the use of data and information has been exponentially increasing. While data collection is an expected and thus normalized facet of life, reinforced by the many bureaucratic protocols people adhere to in order to live, work and travel, it is profoundly different in military operations, where data processing is ## Journals - [Journal Edition 41](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-41/) - Welcome to the 41st edition of the JAPCC Journal. As the Alliance navigates a security landscape defined by rapid technological shifts and geographic expansion, with crisis in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, our role in fostering innovation and interoperability has never been more critical. For the first time in our history, the JAPCC has established - [Journal Edition 40](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-40/) - Welcome to the 40th edition of the JAPCC Journal. As we continue to mark our 20th Anniversary this year, we are taking the unique opportunity not only to reflect on two decades of progress in Alliance Air and Space Power, but more importantly, to look ahead to the challenges and opportunities on the horizon. This edition, therefore, - [Journal Edition 39](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-39/) - It is an honour to introduce my first edition of the JAPCC Journal as the new Assistant Director, especially during the significant milestone of JAPCC’s 20th anniversary. This moment invites reflection on the past two decades and offers insight into the future. I look forward with great enthusiasm to continue our proud tradition of insightful and innovative - [Journal Edition 38](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-38/) - Editorial After an exhilarating three years in Kalkar, my tenure as the JAPCC Assistant Director and Managing Editor of this Journal will end in September 2024. I am immensely grateful to my editorial team, under the leadership of the Chief of Staff, for their dedication and hard work in ensuring the success of our Journal. - [Journal Edition 37](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-37/) - Editorial I am delighted to present the latest edition of the JAPCC Journal. This issue showcases a diverse collection of articles focussing on concepts important to NATO. But first, we must acknowledge the ongoing large-scale conflict in continental Europe, where Ukrainians continue to demonstrate unwavering resilience in the face of relentless Russian aggression. As the - [Journal Edition 36](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-36/) - Editorial We are excited to unveil the new and improved JAPCC Journal, offering a transformative reading experience with captivating articles. To begin, it is crucial to highlight that the enduring conflict between tyranny and liberty remains foremost in our minds as Russia continues its reckless actions in Ukraine. However, despite the challenges, the Ukrainian Army - [Journal Edition 35](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-35/) - Editorial The quest for peace in Eastern Europe is still in progress. Through resourcefulness and grit, the Ukraine Armed Forces have fought Russia to a standstill and earned the admiration and support of the Western world. Meanwhile, Russia’s brazen attempt to assert its influence and reshape the world has become the object of worldwide opprobrium. - [Journal Edition 34](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-34/) - Editorial On 24 February 2022, our world shuddered with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Directly adjacent to NATO’s borders, this treacherous act should be considered a wake-up call for recognizing the dangers and threats still facing our world, and in particular our Alliance. Already under the strain of the Covid-19 pandemic, albeit waning in the - [Journal Edition 33](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-33/) - Editorial It is a great honour to introduce myself as the new editor of the Journal of the JAPCC, and as the newly appointed Assistant Director of the JAPCC. The role of editor is a significant responsibility and I am excited about the future of the journal and committed to helping continue the impressive trajectory - [Journal Edition 2](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-2/) - Editorial At the launch of the NATO Response Force (NRF), it was described by the Secretary General as “make or break for NATO”. This is a daunting build-up, but it is one that has concentrated the minds of all those involved in developing the concept and achieving Full Operational Capability. As the Air Component Commander - [Journal Edition 3](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-3/) - Editorial As the process of NATO Transformation moves forward, it is clear that a number of key capability areas are now being tackled, including a wide range of air power related topics. However, perhaps one area that has yet to be addressed fully is that of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Undoubtedly, the technology in this - [Journal Edition 4](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-4/) - Editorial "My logisticians are a humourless lot … they know if my campaign fails, they are the first ones I will slay." Alexander the Great While NATO’s approach to logistics may not be as direct as Alexander’s, achieving effective and efficient joint deployment and sustainment is one of Allied Command Transformation’s 3 transformational goals. To - [Journal Edition 5](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-5/) - Editorial "… the great uncertainty of all data in War is a peculiar difficulty, because all action must, to a certain extent, be planned in a mere twilight, which in addition not infrequently – like the effect of a fog or moonshine – gives to things exaggerated dimensions and an unnatural appearance." Clausewitz On War - [Journal Edition 6](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-6/) - Editorial "Air power is indivisible. If you split it up into compartments, you merely pull it to pieces and destroy its greatest asset, its flexibility." Field Marshal Montgomery In a journal based around the theme of the upcoming JAPCC Conference – The Role of Air Power in Expeditionary Security and Stability Operations – it is - [Journal Edition 7](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-7/) - Editorial "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it." General Dwight D Eisenhower I introduce this Edition of the JAPCC Journal with the above quote for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the fact that its author oversaw one - [Journal Edition 8](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-8/) - Editorial "Air Power is the most difficult of military force to measure or even to express in precise terms. The problem is compounded by the fact that aviation tends to attract adventurous souls, physically adept, mentally alert and pragmatically rather than philosophically inclined." Sir Winston Churchill – 1948. When we declared ‘Open Season’ for this - [Journal Edition 9](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-9/) - Editorial "He who has not first laid his foundations may be able with great ability to lay them afterwards, but they will be laid with trouble to the architect and danger to the building." Nicolo Machiavelli 1469–1527 "It ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to - [Journal Edition 10](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-10/) - Editorial "To conquer the command of the air means victory; to be beaten in the air means defeat." General Giulio Douhet, 1921 Whilst I am sure this edition provides something for all those with an interest in Air and Space matters, it unashamedly focuses on the challenge first articulated by Gen Douhet of assuring access - [Journal Edition 11](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-11/) - Editorial ‘I estimate that, without Air & Space (A&S) Power, 500,000 to 600,000 troops would be needed in Afghanistan to achieve the same effects as the 40,000 soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen we have there today. A&S Power provides the asymmetric advantage over the Taliban such that no matter where they choose to fight, coalition - [Journal Edition 12](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-12/) - Editorial ‘Air is our strategic advantage but can become a strategic vulnerability if not employed with restraint and precision’ Gen Stanley McChrystal, COM ISAF in a letter to Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff on 24 Aug 2009. There can be a tendency amongst airmen to believe that only they truly understand Air Power, yet - [Journal Edition 13](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-13/) - Editorial “… after 30-plus years of serving in many different organizations, both parochial and multinational, I personally can say unequivocally that there is no organization who could have accomplished what we have been able to achieve except for NATO.” Lt Gen William Caldwell, commander NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan in a press briefing on Afghan - [Journal Edition 14](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-14/) - Editorial As the Director of the Joint Air Power Competence Centre, I am delighted to introduce the fall edition of the Journal. The Journal of the JAPCC prides itself on expressing Air and Space Power ideas and opinions through a diverse international authorship. This edition contains submissions from Australia, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United - [Journal Edition 15](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-15/) - Editorial 2012 is an important and challenging year in which many countries have to deal with economic problems, budget cuts and overcome them in order to avoid unprecedented crises that could spread to the rest of the world. In the age of austerity, even the NATO Armed Forces will suffer significant budget cuts. A possible - [Journal Edition 16](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-16/) - Editorial “Man will never reach the moon regardless of all future scientific advances.” Dr. Lee DeForest, Radio Pioneer, 1957 Whilst not all predictions are as bold or naïve as the one above, the lesson is history has taught us that predicting the future with much certainty is fraught with difficulty. Likewise, knowing where or when - [Journal Edition 17](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-17/) - Editorial NATO’s Air Power has been of utmost importance to the Alliance since its inception. Time and time again, NATO and the Alliance nations have turned to Air Power as their first, and in some cases only, military response option. Air Power, now coupled with Space Power, continues to demonstrate its unprecedented value. It provides - [Journal Edition 1](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-1/) - Editorial Welcome to the first edition of the Journal of the JAPCC, the Joint Air Power Competence Centre’s bi-annual publication. You will find a full explanation of the JAPCC’s genesis and its aims and objectives later in the journal but, in essence, the Director’s vision is to enable NATO’s effective and efficient use of Joint - [Journal Edition 22](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-22/) - Editorial It is my great pleasure to present you the 22nd ­Edition of the JAPCC Journal. The opening article of this edition is an interview with The ­Netherlands’ Air Chief Lieutenant General Schnitger, who offers us his perspective on future airpower requirements and how the RNLAF shall be kept ‘Fit for the Future’ by a - [Journal Edition 18](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-18/) - Editorial “Gentlemen we have run out of money. It is time to think.” Winston Churchill, Prime Minister UK, 1940 This quote is applicable to most NATO nations for the past two decades when governments started to take in the so-called peace dividend and reduced their defence budgets drastically. A lot of thinking has been done - [Journal Edition 19](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-19/) - Editorial ‘Our Alliance now faces the increasingly dire risk of not having the right capabilities and / or sufficient quantities of air power and access to space capabi­lities to cope with the security challenges outlined in NATO’s forward looking Strategic Concept.’ – This is a quote from General Frank Gorenc, out of the foreword of the JAPCC - [Journal Edition 21](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-21/) - Editorial It is my great pleasure to present you the 21st Edition of the JAPCC Journal. The opening article of this edition is an interview with Lieutenant General Preziosa, Chief of the Italian Air Force, who gives us an insight into Italian contributions to overcome critical capability shortfalls in NATO, both through national projects and - [Journal Edition 23](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-23/) - Editorial 2016 was an extremely fruitful year for the JAPCC. While we continued our core business as NATO’s catalyst for the improvement and transformation of Joint Air and Space Power; some significant projects were completed and many new interesting work strands were initiated. Our ongoing efforts to improve cooperation amongst NATO, EU and national air - [Journal Edition 24](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-24/) - Editorial It is our great pleasure to present the 24th Edition of the JAPCC Journal. A prominent theme permeating this journal is the significance of the Joint Strike Fighter arriving in many NATO Allies’ national forces. Starting off, Major General Max A. L. T. Nielsen, the Danish Air Chief, provides us his perspective on the - [Journal Edition 30](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-30/) - Editorial Our world has faced a challenging last few months in this first half of 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic influenced every area of our daily lives and did not spare the Air & Space Power Community. After celebrating our 15th Anniversary, the JAPCC is now challenged by the restrictions resulting from the current worldwide situation. - [Journal Edition 25](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-25/) - Editorial 2017 was another fruitful year for the JAPCC. While we continued our core business as NATO’s catalyst for the improvement and transformation of Joint Air and Space Power; some significant projects were completed and many new interesting work strands were initiated. Our ongoing efforts to improve cooperation amongst NATO, EU and national air and - [Journal Edition 31](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-31/) - Editorial As I near the end of my five years in Kalkar it is my privilege to introduce the 31st edition of Transforming Joint Air and Space Power – The Journal of the JAPCC. Throughout my time here as the Chief of Staff, I have worked with a tremendous team from our 16 sponsoring nations - [Journal Edition 27](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-27/) - Editorial 2018 was another eventful year for the JAPCC and I am very proud to be the new Assistant Director of NATO’s catalyst for the improvement and transformation of Joint Air & Space Power. On 15 August 2018 I took over the responsibilities of the AD from my predecessor Air Commodore Madeleine Spit, who very - [Journal Edition 26](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-26/) - Editorial After four thrilling years in Kalkar, my tour as the JAPCC Assistant Director and my time as the Editor of this Journal ends in August 2018. Editing the Journal was probably one of the most time consuming, but rewarding, tasks I had in my entire portfolio. The countless contributions we received from authors throughout - [Journal Edition 20](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-20/) - Editorial As the Director of the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC), it is my pleasure to introduce the 20th Edition of ‘The Journal of the JAPCC’. In this special edition, we celebrate the JAPCC’s 10th Anniversary by featuring articles reflecting on our past as the first NATO accredited Centre of Excellence and also looking - [Journal Edition 29](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-29/) - Editorial It was my distinct pleasure to lead the JAPCC team in organizing and hosting this year’s Joint Air and Space Power Conference: ‘Shaping NATO for Multi-Domain Operations of the Future’. This annual gathering drew more than 320 Air and Space experts from 27 nations and multiple NATO and European organizations, including more than 60 - [Journal Edition 28](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-28/) - Editorial As the Assistant Director of the JAPCC, it gives me great pleasure to introduce the 28th Edition of the ‘Journal of the JAPCC’ and congratulate authors for their most valuable contributions on Joint Air & Space Power. I would like to start by providing a warm welcome to our new JAPCC Director, General Jeffrey - [Journal Edition 32](https://www.japcc.org/journals/journal-edition-32/) - Editorial After three exciting years in Kalkar, my tour as the Assistant Director of the JAPCC and the editor of this Journal ends in September 2021. The time consuming task of being the editor of this Journal was well rewarded by the educational, innovating and thought-provoking articles we published in the past few years. I ## Additional Keywords - [Leadership Perspectives](https://www.japcc.org/keywords/leadership-perspectives/) - Our mission is to provide key decision-makers with effective solutions to Air and Space Power challenges in order to safeguard NATO and the Nations’ interests. Therefore, the JAPCC is in constant dialogue with NATO’s political and military leadership. Interviews and viewpoints of dedicated key leaders can be found on this page. - [Hypersonic Vehicles](https://www.japcc.org/keywords/hypersonic-vehicles/) - Hypersonic vehicles incorporate the speed of a ballistic missile with the manoeuvring capabilities of a cruise missile. The term refers to weapons that travel faster than Mach 5 (~3,800mph) and can manoeuvre during the entire flight. These vehicles are specifically designed for increased survivability against modern ballistic missile defence systems. Hypersonic vehicles can deliver conventional or nuclear payloads at ultra-high velocities over long ranges. - [Countering Uncrewed Aircraft Systems](https://www.japcc.org/keywords/c-uas/) - To understand the full spectrum of countering Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), it is important to note that exclusively focussing on the ‘drone’ does not provide the complete picture. UAS are grouped into several categories and consist of numerous components, depending on their size and application. Countering UAS requires a comprehensive approach by all the military and non-military disciplines that can project lethal and non-lethal effects on any of the components of an uncrewed system. - [Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy](https://www.japcc.org/keywords/ai/) - Autonomy describes the capability to accomplish a pre-defined mission without further human interaction and / or super­vision. The degree of autonomy depends on a system’s abilities of sensing, analyzing, communicating, planning, decision-making, and acting (altogether forming the artificial intelligence of the system), ranging from semi-autonomy to full-auton­omy. ## Competencies - [Combat Air](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/ca/) - Combat Air (CA) is the heart of Joint Air Power. NATO’s ability to deter and defend relies on the freedom of manoeuvre throughout all domains. CA contributes to that freedom by providing Air Superiority, Suppression of Enemy Air Defences, Air Interdiction, Electromagnetic Operations, Close Air Support, Integrated Air and Missile Defence, NATO Ballistic Missile Defence, and Personnel Recovery. This Branch incorporates manned and unmanned platforms, with fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, and draws from all components within Alliance air and space forces. - [Electronic Warfare and SEAD](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/ew/) - The freedom of military action on today’s battlefield largely depends on the capability to gain access to and superiority over the Electromagnetic Spectrum. This allows forces to communicate effectively, navigate with confidence, build situational awareness, share information, synchronize operations, and engage accurately in times of peace, crises, or conflict. Electromagnetic threats from state and non-state actors combined with the growing use of commercial electronic systems, usually connected with civil infrastructure, and the increasing globalization of military technology have made the Electromagnetic Environment more congested, restricted, and contested. EW provides forces with the ability to create military advantages at tactical, operational and strategic levels. - [Maritime Air and Carrier Operations](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/marair/) - The maritime domain is one of the main environments of global competition. NATO maritime operations are focusing on strengthening defence and deterrence from and through the sea. Maritime aircraft can operate independently or as an integral part of a task force in support of a maritime campaign, but can also play a significant role in the joint air campaign. On the other side, Air Forces can extend their reach and increase the flexibility of naval surface, subsurface, and aviation assets, in the control of the maritime domain. For these synergistic effects, interoperability and integration of Air Force and Navy capabilities are essential. Among all military instruments of modern naval power, the aircraft carrier and its embarked air wing continue to have a pivotal role. It is an operationally outstanding asset, capable of being effectively integrated into a combined multinational campaign and delivering multi-domain effects. - [Air & Missile Defence](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/amd/) - The sum of all surface-based air defence systems from across the Alliance form NATO’s Surface-Based Air & Missile Defense (SBAMD) capability, which (together with the airborne capabilities) is a substantial part of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS). Since 2010, NATO has a standing mission of Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD). GBAD systems together with BMD capable ships and shore-based sites in Europe form NATOs’ resource pool to execute this critical mission. The capability to intercept ballistic missiles is very specific but cannot be isolated from other NATINAMDS tasks in respect to mission complexity and actually available resources. - [Uncrewed Aircraft Systems](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/uas/) - Uncrewed Aircraft (UA) do not carry a human operator, but are operated remotely, using various levels of automated functions. They can be a rotary, fixed-wing, or lighter-than-air aircraft and typically include integrated equipment such as propulsion, avionics, fuel, navigation, and communication. The terms ‘Uncrewed Aircraft’ and ‘Drone’, as well as variations such as ‘Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV)’ or ‘Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)’ are often used interchangeably but are actually deliberately defined to reflect certain classes, attributions or certifications of unmanned systems. Over the past decades, the use of such systems has increased and they provide distinctive capabilities such as intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, precision targeting and precision strike with reduced risk. - [Close Air Support](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/cas/) - This is any air action against hostile targets, which are in close proximity to friendly forces. These missions require detailed integration with fires and the movement of those forces. In the future, asymmetric conflict scenarios are as likely as direct engagements with a peer or near-peer adversary. In addition, these conflicts will more often take place in urban areas. All of which pose challenges for the future of CAS, and require a modification of the Alliance’s current CAS operations model. It needs to adapt to potential war scenarios by incorporating these variations in exercises and realistically evaluating new technologies, assets, competitors, and environments to establish Joint Air Support. Providing CAS to joint forces remains a crucial mission in the context of joint force operations. - [Attack Helicopters](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/rw/) - Military rotary wing forces play an integral role in the land, sea and air operations of modern services. Attack helicopters, as part of these assets, conduct either Close Air Support for ground troops or can be used in an anti-tank role to destroy armoured targets in close combat attacks. They may also escort lighter helicopters in reconnaissance missions or protect transport helicopters carrying out their cargo, MEDEVAC (Medical Evacuation) or other missions. The most modern configurations of the attack helicopters, ready for Multi-Domain Operations, will play a significant role in different kinds of operations and tasks. In the future, it is likely to develop airframes designed to adapt to various types of missions and/or built multirole assets capable of missions even with unmanned systems as part of a MUM-T (Manned-Unmanned Teaming) scheme. - [Air Operations Support](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/aos/) - This Branch amalgamates Combat Support (CS) and Combat Service Support (CSS) functions into a single entity that is the JAPCC’s ‘one-stop-shop’ for all functions that enable Air and Space Power projection. Areas of specific focus include, but are not limited to Air Mobility (Air Transport and Air to Air Refuelling), Joint Personnel Recovery (JPR), Joint Rotary Wing Operations, Electronic Warfare (EW), Force Protection (FP) and Logistics. These activities are fundamental to the effective and resource-efficient delivery of NATO Air and Space Power. Furthermore, AOS must be considered in a holistic manner rather than as individual or discreet functions that are conducted in isolation. AOS is both a Force Enabler and a Force Multiplier. Put simply, it is the bedrock of NATO’s Air Operations. - [Air-to-Air Refueling](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/aar/) - Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) is a force multiplier. The AAR Team at the JAPCC provides the hub for material and policy standardisation across NATO member countries and international partners. As the Chairperson of the NATO AAR Working Group, the Air Refuelling Systems Advisory Group’s interoperability panel, and as Co-lead to the US Joint Standardisation Board’s Working Group 5, the JAPCC AAR team focuses on AAR clearance and interoperability to maximize the capabilities of NATO, partner counties, and industry. In this spirit of cooperation, we go beyond the traditional reach of NATO and increase interoperability in the global AAR enterprise. - [Air Transport](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/at/) - Air Transport allows NATO to deploy, employ and redeploy forces and equipment quickly, sustain those forces, and support the effective application of military effort. The speed and flexibility of military airlift make it the preferred means of transport in support of most military and humanitarian operations. Robust strategic airlift capabilities are vital to ensure that NATO countries are able to deploy their forces and equipment rapidly around the globe. To make progress in the field of the Air Mobility and be more flexible in any evolving situation, we provide related expertise to the transformation of Joint Air Power at the operational level and engagement at the tactical level when necessary. - [Joint Personnel Recovery](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/jpr/) - One of the most imperative responsibilities of a military leader is the protection of his most valuable asset: his people. Therefore, we consider Personnel Recovery (PR) one of the most important roles of the armed forces. It is a joint function defined as “The sum of military, diplomatic, and civil efforts to effect the recovery and reintegration of isolated personnel” (NATO Allied Joint Publication 3.7). JPR activities occur across the full spectrum of operational environments. Knowledge of new elements likely to arise in the near future is undoubtedly an indispensable condition for future success. We aim to uncover potential gaps in policy, doctrine, education, training, exercises, and evaluations to facilitate addressing JPR challenges. - [Force Protection](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/fp/) - Effective and resource-efficient Force Protection (FP) is so important because its presence might not contribute to the success of an operation; however, its absence will certainly contribute to failure. Therefore, assets should be designed to be resilient. FP support to NATO Logistics and the protection of physical aspects of the CIS architecture are vital to ensure sustainment and communications, including access to Space. We identified FP shortfalls and encouraged Nations to reinvest in this fundamental capability. The JAPCC is contributing to joint, multi-domain FP capability development across NATO by emphasizing that it must be proactively incorporated into planning processes using a detailed understanding of the operational environment, the role and mission of the asset to be protected, and the threats. There can be no set ‘Minimum Military Requirement’ as requirements will be determined through task-specific analysis of the FP challenge. - [Logistics](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/log/) - Logistics is the cornerstone of all military operations. NATO is required to carry out a range of smaller, but demanding operations, in addition to simultaneously retaining the capability to conduct large-scale high-intensity operations in support of the collective defense. To do so, the Alliance must be able to launch and sustain these missions. Since only a few nations can independently deploy and sustain their own forces, it is important that NATO and its Allies continue to pursue collective logistics in order to provide Commanders the required level of flexibility during current and future operations. Logistic efforts are pursued along four main lines of effort: develop more capable and interoperable joint logistic capabilities at the required readiness state, optimize the Command and Control of logistics support, improve the ability of NATO forces to deploy, and enhance both the interoperability and the sustainment of these NATO forces. - [C5 ISR & Space](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/c5isr/) - Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Space – C5ISR&S are key enablers for Air Power and its integration with the other domains. This combination of information-driven C2 encompasses all air activities and provides seamless integration of information across all domains to gain a shared understanding of the operational environment in support of decision-making while securing the network from attack or compromise. C5ISR&S’s relevance and criticality are only increasing as NATO embraces the concept of Multi-Domain Operations to deliver Air Power integrated and synchronized with other military and non-military instruments of power. To that end, C5ISR&S Branch embraces a large diversity of competencies thanks to a multinational team of SMEs constantly supporting NATO’s future force and capability development; this includes NATO’s newest operational domains, Cyberspace and Space. - [Command & Control and Air Battle Management](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/c2/) - Future threats to NATO require a new, more agile, competitive, and responsive operational concept. Therefore, NATO embraced the Multi-Domain Operations concept (MDO) to ensure the necessary agility and responsiveness by optimizing x-domain effect generation and a new MDO Command and Control (MDOC2) construct based on extensive use of EDTs like AI, Machine Learning, and Big Data management. To maximize AIR effects, it is mandatory that the management of all AIR activities, measures and means, is based on coherent commands, directions and guidance given by the appropriate authorities via a proper C2 structure. Air Battle Management (ABM) ensures that the AIR contribution to MDO is effective and efficiently integrated, coordinated and synchronized by providing the ‘who, what, when and where’ of AIR activities throughout the Joint Operations Area (JOA). In the context of MDO, JAPCC ABM Subject Matter Experts (SME) support the development of relevant knowledge and awareness of Air C2 operations and doctrine. - [Air Operations Planning](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/aop/) - This is an important phase before and during any operation or exercise. Since NATO is evolving from JOINT Operations to MDO, more planning, coordination, and standardization are necessary to improve the cost-efficiency of any effort. The SME for Operational Air Planning/ Education & Training supports education and training and promotes the evolution of the respective NATO doctrine. New technologies that improve the quality of Air C2, like AI, are explored. The JFAC and its sponsored exercises are venues to explore options where AI could improve the conduct of operations. Since ACCS, crucial to all operations and exercises, is planned to be replaced by another C2 system, this SME is involved in the “Air C2 Analysis of Alternatives”. - [Air Traffic Management and Airspace Control](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/atm/) - The constant growth of civil and military crewed and uncrewed aerial systems, together with the extensive use of the airspace from all components, leads to the requirement for improving the overall Air Traffic Management and Air Space Control to include airspace de-confliction. Future implementation of MDO concepts will expand the requirement to include the intelligent use of EDTs like AI and ML. Accordingly, this focus area supports the awareness of ATM & ASC technologies and capabilities, their integration and employment as key enablers to NATO Air Power projection, as well as their limitations. We support the evolution of related topics by focusing on interoperability, doctrine, standardization and integration, joint operational planning, future capabilities, and training and exercises. - [Cyberspace Operations](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/co/) - Cyberspace is not only a medium through which Joint Air & Space Forces and C2 operate, but it has become an operational domain of its own. NATO is adopting a new MDO concept that envisions extensive use of advanced cyberspace capabilities that can create powerful effects, which are synchronized with the other domains. At the same time, cyberspace is exposed to its own inherent vulnerabilities, which have the potential to undermine mission success. Assuring and maintaining the freedom of manoeuvre in the Cyberspace domain is the new imperative. The JAPCC promotes and influences the development of Cyberspace doctrine, policy, operational concepts and capabilities with a focus on its integration with NATO Joint Air and Space Power. Our Cyberspace SMEs provide support to major Joint and Air exercises through the development and execution phases as both OpFor and ExCon. They also support the awareness of Cyber-related technologies and capabilities, maintaining and reinforcing the network of collaboration within the NATO Cyberspace Community of Interest, and researching the current and developing trends in Cyberspace. - [Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/isr/) - ISR helps to gain situational awareness, battlespace understanding and supports decision-making processes. Modern warfare is undergoing a profound transformation as Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT) are providing great opportunities for the way we think, plan, organize and manage operations. Implementing Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) will require new Joint All Domain Command and Control (JAD-C2) structures and systems to generate effects in all domains simultaneously using a shared information cloud or combat cloud. The most effective way to achieve the transformation of ISR through the combination of Big Data management and other EDT is to enhance data-fused analysis, timely information sharing, actionable intelligence, and faster decision-making processes. This will ensure information superiority in both conventional and non-conventional warfare. Our SME supports the development of new ISR technologies and capabilities, and their integration as key enablers to NATO Air & Space Power projection. He also promotes and influences NATO ISR doctrine, standardization, and operational concepts. - [Space](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/space/) - NATO’s dependence on Space systems implies the need to ensure that resources and capabilities are available during all operational phases. The lack of Space capabilities and products could hamper the success of NATO operations. This assessment has led NATO to recognize Space as a separate Operational Domain in 2019. Since its establishment in 2005, the JAPCC has included space in its portfolio of tasks and has intensively supported and promoted the evolving developments in recent years. In cooperation with the NATO Space Centre of Excellence, which is in the process of being established in Toulouse France, the JAPCC will continue to implement the Space Domain within NATO, specifically in the Air Domain. The JAPCC Space SMEs provide support in all functional areas of Space (PNT, ISR, METOC, SSA, SATCOM, SEW and Space Security) to offer multinational expertise to key decision-makers for effective solutions on Space Power challenges, in order to safeguard the Alliance. - [Assessment, Coordination, and Engagement](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/ace/) - The Assessment, Coordination and Engagement (ACE) Branch provides cross-functional capabilities and expertise in concept development, doctrine and vision in support of the JAPCC’s activities and projects. The Branch’s Subject Matter Experts (SME) coordinate support to training and exercises, provide information and assessments available in the NATO Lessons Learned Process, as well as focused analysis of INTEL products. Additionally, they make sure that the newest developments in capabilities and defence planning related to NATO’s warfare development agenda are considered in the JAPCC’s program of work. The branch also supports planning and organization of the JAPCC’s main engagement events (the annual Joint Air & Space Power Conference, the Think Tank Forum and the Joint Air & Space Power Network Meeting) and manages the process to draft, layout and distribute the JAPCC’s publications. - [Education & Training](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/et/) - The JAPCC contributes expertise to a variety of NATO and national education and training entities. They include NATO School Oberammergau, national staff colleges and HQ/entities responsible for offering training. Coordination between COEs is crucial to provide the best possible functional support in the required areas of expertise. The JAPCC’s support to training is in response to individual requests or to longstanding agreements with training entities. The JAPCC itself does not conduct its own courses, but provides Subject Matter Experts that offer their specific expertise in areas that may not be available elsewhere. - [Plans, Concepts, Development and Vision](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/cd/) - ACE SMEs proactively establish links to other stakeholders responsible for overarching and broad themes that will shape future developments in the Alliance. We are aiming at contributing our expertise to the steps of the NATO Defence Planning Process and to the work strands of the Warfare Development Agenda. This will ensure that our projects follow the right vector, from the definition phase of projects through the various steps of development and drafting. It is paramount for the JAPCC to closely follow and link to conceptual and doctrinal developments. - [Exercise Support](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/exsup/) - Based on a letter of Agreement with NATO’s Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) in Stavanger, the JAPCC has been developing scenarios and providing the related Opposing Force (OPFOR) Planning for the STEADFAST series of exercises. For nearly a decade, ACE has coordinated and led the OPFOR Air, Space and Cyberspace team. To provide comprehensive support, personnel of other staff has regularly augmented this team, under the leadership of the Support to Exercises SME. The JAPCC’s network of experts is crucial to continue this support to the JWC, as well as the support to HQ AIRCOM’s main exercise RAMSTEIN Ambition. Based on the availability of respective experts the JAPCC also provides support to other exercises. - [Manned Air (Fixed Wing)](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/fw/) - Over the last few years, various NATO and non-NATO nations incorporated 5th generation aircraft into their inventories, creating several challenges such as integration with 4th Generation fighters, training options and adversary support for these platforms. Furthermore, some nations have moved directly to 6th Generation systems which could potentially aggravate these challenges, with the inclusion of manned-unmanned teaming, Combat Clouds and Artificial Intelligence among others. At the JAPCC, we look for future solutions to those challenges and contribute to the development of manned air capabilities. - [Precision Guided Munitions](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/pgm/) - Since Operation Desert Storm, there has been a remarkable increase in the employment of guided precision weapons instead of unguided “dumb” bombs. Current political and geopolitical trends, such as uncertainty, financial constraints, workforce limitations, and no/low collateral damage requirements, are driving the technological developments of Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs). Today, PGMs hit a variety of targets in complex and contested environments from long distances, supporting missions across every branch of the military and in all domains. NATO needs to be in line with the development of the next generation of PGMs to stay ahead of rapidly evolving threats. - [Joint Rotary Wing](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/jrw/) - Military rotary wing forces play an integral role in the land, sea and air operations of modern services. The support/transport helicopters, as part of these assets, conduct specific tasks in several roles: they provide quick access to the combat area in all domains, can be the lifeline for Joint Personnel Recovery and MEDEVAC, are crucial in supporting Special Operations, and enhance the over-the-horizon view for commanders. They are also able to provide local security support against small attacks from ground forces. Modern support/transport helicopters are ready for Multi-Domain Operations (MDO), provide maneuverability and flexibility to the commander, and contribute to the success of joint missions. - [Air Leadership Education and Training](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/air-lead/) - Imbedded in the C5ISR Branch, this focus area promotes, influences, and supports the evolution of Air Leadership awareness, employment, operational concepts, and preparedness. As NATO develops new operational concepts like MDO, new education & training models are necessary to fulfil their requirements. The Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Air Leadership/Education & Training (E&T) is responsible for providing instructions about the ‘art of Air Leadership’ in order to project Air Power. Consistent with the JAPCC mission, the SME works in a coherent manner to support the continuous improvement and evolution of NATO Air & Space Power. - [Research, Analysis & Intelligence Support](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/intel/) - Intelligence Support provides INTEL-related analysis in support of those JAPCC projects that rely on classified material as well as open-source information on capabilities and the assessment of conflicts. This includes direct support to projects and activities that require specific INTEL-related background and expertise. In particular, it contributes to the JAPCC support to exercises to allow realistic and focused development of OPFOR scenarios, incident lists, and injects through the EXCON staff. - [Analysis and Lessons Learned](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/ll/) - The A&LL SME regularly reviews NATO LL documents to provide updates to all branches and project leads to ensure that the JAPCC’s work fully takes into account LL from operations, exercises and concept development and experimentation. In this same vein, LL derived from JAPCC projects and activities are provided to the NATO LL process. In close coordination with the A&LL section, the Exercise Support section contributes post-exercise reporting to be included in the respective exercise reports and LL reporting from exercises. Broad-based as well as specific analysis from the NATO LL database allows for the informed and focused pursuit of JAPCC projects in line with ACT LL priorities. - [Publications, Promotions & Communications](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/ppc/) - The Publications, Promotions & Communications (PPC) section is a critical part of the ACE-Branch and the JAPCC as a whole. PPC manages and develops the core JAPCC publications and offers the related services to ensure high-quality products with appealing layouts are distributed online or in a printed version. The small team of this section supports and implements the publications policy and ensures our high standard of quality for published works and internet documents. - [5th Generation Aviation](https://www.japcc.org/competencies/5gen/) - The combination of low observable characteristics and integrated, fused avionics creates a platform that grants access to airspace that is otherwise denied. Additionally, 5th generation aircraft are force multipliers by sharing sensor data with other platforms to increase situational awareness and shorten the time required to find, fix, track, target, and engage threats across the air combat spectrum. NATO is embracing 5th generation aircraft through wide procurement of the F-35 which will become the basis of NATO airpower. JAPCC is ready to assist in the development of 5th generation air power throughout the NATO alliance. ## Warfare Areas - [Space Support in Operations](https://www.japcc.org/warfare-areas/space/) - Space is increasingly important for the Alliance’s and Allies’ security and prosperity. The use of space has greatly enhanced Allies’ and NATO’s ability to anticipate threats and respond to crises with greater speed, effectiveness and precision. The evolution in the uses of space and rapid advances in space technology have created new opportunities, but also new risks, vulnerabilities, and potentially threats for the Alliance’s and Allies’ security and defence. Today, access to, and use of, space is no longer the prerogative of a few nations that are technically capable of launching and operating a spacecraft. Space technology and services have become more readily accessible, cheaper and more capable. Most space capabilities are dual use, serving civilian/commercial as well as military purposes, often at the same time, further adding to the complexity of the space domain. In security and defence terms, space is increasingly contested, congested and competitive and requires the Alliance to be able to operate in a disrupted, denied and degraded environment. (Extracts from NATO’s overarching Space Policy (NU), 17 Jan. 2022) - [Maritime Operations](https://www.japcc.org/warfare-areas/maritime/) - Most of the Earth is covered in water and most of the world international commerce is seaborne, as the majority of the wold’s population lives close to the coast. The maritime environment ranges from high seas to the more confined shallow waters within littoral and coastal regions, thus providing access to all parts of the globe, and includes the air and water space above and below them. Maritime power has traditionally been employed to maintain the freedom of navigation essential to the general economic welfare and survival of states. Conversely, it has been regularly used to disrupt the opponents’ sea line of communication as part of a wider Allied, joint and combined operation. Maritime forces are globally mobile and deployable. They are able to exploit freedom of navigation, transiting to and arriving in an area of operation to provide a scalable and sustained military presence. Access, mobility, lift capacity, posture, versatility and availability, sustained reach, resilience and leverage are maritime forces main attributes. (Allied Joint Doctrine for Maritime Operations, AJP-3.1) - [Air Operations](https://www.japcc.org/warfare-areas/air/) - The air environment is unique. Air surrounds the globe and overlays the land and sea. Consequently, air power is inherently joint, as air power has decisive impact when orchestrated along with land, maritime, space and cyberspace power.4 Air power is also pervasive, as aircraft are rarely physically constrained by national boundaries or terrain, so can potentially obtain access to any point on Earth. The distinctiveness of the environment means that air power has very different attributes to maritime power and land power. Consequently properly executed joint operations, where air, land, sea, space and cyber capabilities are used to complement one another’s strengths and weaknesses, can be particularly effective. (Allied Joint Doctrine for Air and Space Operations, AJP-3.3 Ed.B, Apr. 2016) - [Land Operations](https://www.japcc.org/warfare-areas/land/) - Land forces are required to operate in dynamic, complex and increasingly urban environments. To be successful they must contend with a range of conditions, including the population, geography, terrain, climate, electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) and the availability (or lack) of infrastructure in their area of operations. Land forces also face a number of other challenges, such as being required to execute missions in areas that do not permit a permanent presence to be maintained due to their size or character. Another challenge is the potential for the intensity of operations to change abruptly. Therefore, land forces must have a broad spectrum of capabilities and assets at different echelons, which must be employed according to the particular context. (Allied Joint Doctrine for Land Operations, AJP-3.2 Ed. B, Feb. 2022) - [Cyberspace Operations](https://www.japcc.org/warfare-areas/cyber/) - Cyberspace is far more than merely the Internet. All devices reachable via cyberspace could be potential targets and potential threats. This includes networks and devices connected by wired connections, wireless connections and those that appear to be not connected at all. Adding to this ever-growing domain is the use of such technology in the expanding number of domestic goods, also known as the internet of things (IoT). […] Although today’s dependency on cyberspace brings associated risks, it provides military opportunities as well. An adversary may similarly rely on parts of cyberspace, such as computers, computerised networks, mobile devices and the electromagnetic environment and, therefore, may exhibit similar vulnerabilities. (Allied Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations, AJP-3.20 Ed. A, Jan 2020) - [Multi-Domain Operations](https://www.japcc.org/warfare-areas/mdo/) - NATO’s Military Instrument of Power enables, prepares, plans, orchestrates, and executes synchronized activities, across all domains and environments, at scale and the speed of relevance, in collaboration with other instruments of power, partners and stakeholders. This delivers tailored options at a time and place of our choosing that build advantage, across the shaping, contesting and fighting contexts, in order to decisively influence the attitudes and behaviours of adversaries and connected audiences. Multi-Domain Operations aim to orchestrate and synchronise military activities with non-military activities, across all domains and environments, to enable commanders to deliver converging effects. (Allied Command Transformation, Multi-Domain Operations Concept, Dec. 2021)