Special Ops Forces Confront Resilient Network Challenges

Special operations forces must be able to maintain command and control, share actionable data and coordinate with unmanned systems even when adversaries disrupt communications, according to Special Operations Command Korea’s J6 Director Lt. Col. Jimmy Payne.

Speaking at TechNet Indo-Pacific in Honolulu Tuesday, Payne said the military must prepare to operate in environments where adversaries contest networks and attempt to prevent sharing critical information.

“Our pacing threats have closely studied our dependency on modern communication,” he said. “They are now attempting to contest our electromagnetic spectrum, both our satellite and terrestrial networks, and denying us the ability to communicate and share critical data and command our forces.”

Maintaining communications in these environments ensures commanders can direct forces and warfighters can act on a shared picture, he said.

Payne outlined three priorities for maintaining that advantage: increasing network capacity at the tactical edge, building resilient command-and-control systems and delivering validated data to warfighters when and where they need it.

Building Resilient Networks at the Edge

The military needs communications architectures that can ensure connectivity in denied, degraded, intermittent and limited environments, Payne noted.

That requires combining multiple communications methods, including low-Earth orbit satellite communications, 5G, advanced waveforms, mesh networking and high-frequency communications. Dynamic spectrum sharing, software-defined radios and artificial intelligence also could help networks adapt to changing conditions and route information more efficiently.

The goal is not to only increase bandwidth, but rather to ensure forces can communicate when traditional links are disrupted or unavailable.

“Significant capacity at the edge is no longer a luxury — it is an operational requirement,” he said.

Edge computing and onboard AI can help platforms continue processing information when disconnected from larger networks, while zero-trust security and diverse communications paths can help systems thwart cyberattacks and electronic warfare.

“When the network drops, and it will, the mission must continue without pause,” he said.

The challenge comes as the military fields additional unmanned aerial, ground, surface and underwater systems. These platforms can extend reconnaissance, electronic warfare, resupply and other capabilities into dangerous environments, but they depend on reliable command and control and access to relevant data.

“A swarm without C2 resiliency is just a target,” he said.

Prioritizing Actionable Data Over Volume

Payne also emphasized the need to improve how the military collects, validates and shares information. Rather than pushing large volumes of raw data across constrained networks, military systems must identify and deliver information that supports specific missions like targeting, maneuver and intelligence.

“Bandwidth is a combat multiplier. It is not an infinite resource,” he said. “We cannot flood the pipes.”

Artificial intelligence could help process information that would take analysts longer to review. But that depends on how data is tagged, integrated and delivered to users, he said. He said the military is making progress in using capabilities to tag and distribute data.

The same principle applies beyond combat operations and into logistics, resupply and the movement of personnel.

Interoperability Requires Earlier Collaboration

Interoperability with allies and industry is another essential component of resilient command and control when it’s incorporated into system design. The United States must be able to share networks and data with Indo-Pacific partners, including Australia, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, he said.

“Coalition C2 must be designed from day one, not a bolt-on after the first shot,” he said.

This is where industry has a role in helping the military identify gaps and field solutions more quickly. He encouraged companies to work with military organizations to test technologies in realistic operational conditions.

“The warfighter does not need another demo that’s controlled inside a lab back in CONUS where it never fails,” he said. “What the warfighter needs is capability that works in the rain, in the jungle, on ships, under fire and that talks to their unmanned teammates when the links are gone.”

The military must also avoid developing one-off solutions that cannot integrate with other systems, he said, adding “we need it across the board.”

There are ongoing challenges, particularly involving international data-sharing agreements. Ultimately, he said, communications and data capabilities must enable commanders to make timely decisions, regardless of which platforms or technologies deliver the information.

“If I can get the communications where it needs to be across echelons for my commander to make those decisions, then we won the fight,” he said.