Why We Need the Advanced Battle Management System
The character of war is changing; ABMS provides the tools for effective command and control into the future.
By Gen. David Allvin
U.S. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff
May 6, 2021
As each service branch looks to the future of joint command and control, we seem to be swimming in a sea of new terms and initiatives: CJADC2, JCC2, Project Convergence, Project Overmatch, and Advanced Battle Management System, or ABMS, to name a few. Consequently, like the parable of the blind man trying to describe the elephant while only touching one part, it can be easy to lose the context of the whole. In the end, as one delves into the unique capabilities, approaches, and attributes of each of the parts, the “elephant” is effective command and control for 21st century warfare
Command and control, or C2, is as old as warfare. It is the art of command and the science of control, combined for the explicit purpose of orchestrating the battle that gives us the greatest advantage over our adversary. From Alexander the Great to our current joint force commanders, the importance of effective C2 is undeniable, and is often the difference between victory and defeat. At its heart, C2 relies upon two main elements: timely, decision-quality information and effective communication. Without the first, the commander can’t effectively assess the situation and formulate appropriate operational approaches and tactics; and without the second, effective execution is certainly at risk. The requirements haven’t changed over time, but the tools to deliver on those requirements have evolved with the changing character of war.
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2021/05/why-we-need-advanced-battle-management-system/173861/
