Morgan Wright, chief security advisor at SentinelOneguides us in the fight against the fog of war with data and AI in this special focus on American defense
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) is a large organization encompassing several branches and functions of the armed forces. These include logistics, finance, healthcare, research and development, testing and evaluation, operations and maintenance, construction, etc.
The DoD’s mission is to provide the military forces necessary to deter war and ensure national security. To support nearly 2.1 million military personnel and 778,000 civilians, the DoD needs a budget of $850 billion for the current fiscal year.
This article discusses the impact of data analytics, AI, and other decision support technologies on the U.S. Army – the largest and oldest branch of the military. By focusing on the military, we can get a clearer picture of how these technologies will shape the future of warfare.
Decision-making and common operational image
Every member of the Army participates in decision-making, whether at the strategic, operational or tactical levels. Strategic decisions can require a large amount of data over time – typically months or even years. Wars are usually won or lost at this level. At the operational level, the lead time is considered to range from several weeks to several months. Campaigns and military operations take place here. At the tactical level, decisions are made in seconds, minutes and hours.
An essential concept is that Common Operational Picture (COP). This dynamic representation of the battlefield serves as a source of real-time information for commanders, helping them make decisions. The COP is an excellent illustration of how data analytics is used in the military, as it involves making estimates and obtaining statuses for all warfighting functions. However, its effectiveness depends on the accuracy and timeliness of the data it receives.
Translate data into action
THE Army Advantage Program is not only an analytics platform, but also an enabler for data-driven decision-making across the Army. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), the Army can transform large amounts of data into actionable intelligence, helping decision-making at every level, from planning strategic to tactical execution.
Not all Vantage functions are related to military engagements. Some include monitoring the health of all Soldiers, down to the company level, so leaders can instantly assess the readiness of forces across the globe. The current level of equipment readiness is another crucial factor for Vantage tracks.
Vantage ultimately leads to data-driven decision making, especially for operational and tactical needs. Combatant commanders, in the heat of battle, don’t have time to wait for a PowerPoint or planning document that can take an hour to create. The ability to look at a dashboard and pick up the phone may be the only solution. Wars are won and lost at the strategic level, but battles are won or lost at the tactical level.
Unlike other custom proprietary systems, Vantage made extensive use of existing commercial software and products. This approach reduced development time, resulting in significant cost savings and reduced future operational expenses. Although Vantage leverages commercially available technologies, it has been configured to operate in both classified and unclassified environments.
Data and AI for modern warfare
What does this mean at the tip of the spear? For the fighter, this means increasing the speed and accuracy of the OODA loop. Initiated in the late 1960s by Air Force Colonel John Boyd, the OODA loop (Observation-Orientation-Decision-Action) revolutionized air-to-air combat by improving a fighter pilot’s ability to enter his opponent’s decision-making loop. Now the OODA loop is applied to all facets of the battle.
Combatant commanders can view a dashboard integrating ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) data from drones, SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) from the National Security Agency (NSA), HUMINT (Human Intelligence) from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or Defense Intelligence. Agency (DIA) and more.
Are we about to execute perfect plans now?
Imagine a scenario in which two hostile forces advance on a position. The question of which force to confront first and with what means depends on different factors. Twenty years ago, the process of putting together analysis and observations took time, leaving the outcome uncertain for longer than it should be.
In the modern battlespace, commanders have systems that provide a suite of indicators and warnings, allowing them to make tactical decisions earlier and place bombs and bullets on the right target, for the right times. reasons and at the right time. It’s not always the closest threat that poses the greatest threat. Systems like Vantage enable a combatant commander to use forces and assets in the most effective manner possible.
During World War II, General George Patton observed, “A good plan executed violently now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.” »
Thanks to modern data analytics, we are now getting closer to executing perfect plans.
