Page 44 - Maritime Services and the Kill Web

The Maritime Services, the Allies and Shaping the Kill Web

“This is why the decision making process needs to be designed as much as the network or the platforms.

“If the C2 matrix slows the network, it will dumb down the platform and the capability of the system to deliver
a full effect.”

“The nature of the force we are shaping is analogous to a biological system in which the elements flourish
based on their natural relationship within the environment.

“We have an opportunity to shape both the platforms and the network, but we will only achieve the
flourishing eco system we seek if each harmonise with the other, and the overall effectiveness is considered on
the health of the ecosystem overall.

“For example, an ASW network will leverage the potential of the individual constituent platforms and that in
turn will determine the lethality of the system.

“A discordant network connection will, at least, limit the overall Force level effect of the network and at worst
break the network down to discordant elements.”

Clearly, a key part of the evolution is about shaping a weapons revolution whereby weapons can operate
throughout the battlespace hosted by platforms that are empowered by networks tailored to the battlespace.

And that revolution will have its proper impact only if the network and C2 dynamics discussed by Rear
Admiral Mayer unfold in the national and coalition forces.

“The limiting factor now is not our platforms; it’s the networks and C2 that hold the potential of those
platforms down.

“When the individual platforms actually go into a fight they’re part of an interdependent system, the thing
that will dumb down the system will be a network that is not tailored to leverage the potential of the
elements, or a network that holds decision authority at a level that is a constraint on timely decision making.

“The network will determine the lethality of our combined system.”

The Norwegian Navy and Shaping Air-Sea Integration for Norwegian

Defense
2017-02-18 By Robbin Laird

After the Norwegian Airpower Conference, 2017, I had a chance to talk with the head of the Norwegian
Navy, Rear Admiral Lars Saunes.

Because this was an airpower conference, the focus on the maritime dimension naturally was primarily focused
on air-sea integration in the extended defense of Norway.

The Chiefs of Navy, the Joint Forces, the Air Force and Army, respectively at the Norwegian Airpower
Conference, February 2017.

A key theme within the Conference was the re-emergence of Russia as an air and maritime power globally,
and most certainly in the Northern region.

The Northern Fleet and the defense bastion built around the Kola Peninsula are two aspects of the direct
presence of the Russians in the Norwegian area of interest.

Second Line of Defense

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