Page 21 - Williams Foundaiton Air-Land Integration April 15

New Approaches to Air-Land Integration

“If this kind of training exercise shows us something we can do that would help Air Force, Army and Navy fight
better as a team, then that’s what we will pursue.”
The Australian Army’s Head Modernisation and Strategic Planning, Major General Gus McLachlan, AM, said that
greater air-land integration is an important step towards the Army and the ADF working in a joint, combined and
interoperable environment.
“Our Army is focused on two key areas to ensure improved air-land integration. The first is to deliver better
communication systems to ensure an agile, efficient and timely response to an intelligent, well-armed and
motivated adversary,” said Major General McLachlan.
“The second is to advance how we plan and conduct air-land operations to deliver the right effect, at the right
place, at the right time.

FIGURE 7 THE TIGER ASSAULT HELICOPTER AS SEEN IN THE JERICHO DAWN EXERCISE. ONE OF THE TASKS IN THE EXERCISE WAS TO FIND WAYS TO
INTEGRATE THE TIGER INTO THE JOINT FORCE. CREDIT PHOTO: AUSTRALIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

“The demonstration highlights how we can better harness the strengths of our team by digitally connecting air and
land platforms.
“This increased connectivity enhances awareness and communication. It gives a common operating picture, so we
are better able to plan and execute joint operations into the future.”
Chief Executive Australia, Ian Irving said Northrop Grumman has unparalleled expertise developing and
deploying airborne gateways that ensure resilient communications of disparate networks and enable a fully
networked battlespace.
“We’ve applied this key capability for more than a decade in numerous operational programs, exercises and
demonstrations and have seen how effective and transformational networking a diverse force of assets can be,”
said Mr. Irving.
“Northrop Grumman congratulates Air Force and Army on their initiative in undertaking this technology
demonstration and we look forward to continuing to support the ADF as it builds interoperability in its current and
fifth-generation force.
“As demonstrated during the Jericho Dawn exercise, the ability to share information and situational awareness
from various sources across diverse platforms and domains is critically important in facilitating joint and coalition
operations.”

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