Vanguard Magazine

14 DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022 www.vanguardcanada.com tactical edge but they will leverage commer- cial networks as much as possible. The cyber threat to all communication networks, com- mercial and military, and the data passed on them further risks the availability, integrity and confidentiality of these networks. Recent CAF experiences have high- lighted limitations with the current fielded C4ISR systems, particularly the informa- tion system or battle management systems; this needs to be addressed as a priority. Moving from a reactive approach of ob- serve, orient, decide, act to a proactive ap- proach of anticipate, adapt, act requires an effective C4ISR system that interconnects all elements of a joint all domain force; the CAF continues to struggle to develop and deploy such a system. Looking at the Experiences of Coalition Partners To overcome this challenge of fielding an effective C4ISR System is not easy; if it was the CAF would not be struggling today to do this. Many of Canada's allies and coali- tion partners have faced the same struggle, having committed greater resources than Canada to solving this challenge. Learn- ing from our partners, especially those we work most closely with, is a good start- ing place to move forward. Our 5- Eyes partners have reportedly made progress and studying their digital transformation journeys should speed up Canada's. In do- ing this, they need to be aware that the US and UK are much bigger and have differ- ent levels of ambition. Australia may more closely align to the CAF's needs. The CAF may be able to select some of the technologies/ systems already analysed and chosen by partners, procurement rules permitting. Again, they need to be aware that the starting point is different. There are many requirements unique to Canada, driven by policy approaches, command structure, force size and composition, ge- ography and level of ambition to name a few; these must be properly considered as the CAF seeks input from partners. The Canadian command structure is dif- ferent from many of our allies and this will impact the solution for the information systems components of the CAF C4ISR System. While national command is ex- ercised through the Canadian Joint Op- erational Command (CJOC), mission/ theatre command is exercised through a coalition headquarters in expeditionary operations and through a Regional Joint Task Force (RJTF) in domestic operations. Each scenario brings with it unique C2 and interoperability needs, however, the troops and lower-level HQs conducting the operation remains the same. Additionally, since the data set is com- mon, the solution must meet both force generation and force employment require- ments including all aspects of support to the deployed force. The need to share data with all in-service national enterprise systems including support personnel man- agement, material, maintenance, transpor- tation, financial and training must be prop- erly considered. The CAF can also look to coalition partners to understand the nontechnical aspects of digital transformation. How to change culture to one that supports digital warfighters, how to train these warfighters and the identification and removal of or- thodoxies and barriers that impede digital transformation and the fielding and evo- lution of a C4ISR System. Understanding how partners have evolved structures and procedures and equally importantly, how do they balance rapidly evolving technol- ogy with fielding and operational impera- tives could yield valuable insights. These nontechnical aspects of the journey are es- sential to set the conditions for success, as- suring and advancing the CAF's relevance, resilience, effectiveness, and dominance in Pan-Domain operations. Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from the Canadian Armed Forces and the United States Armed Forces work together during training at the Cincu Range during Operation REASSURANCE Air Task Force - Romania on October 14, 2021. Photo: Aviator Avery Philpott, Canadian Armed Forces photo C4ISR

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