In a multidomain conflict, a near peer will attack communications and Command and Control systems to undermine operations.

In this post I provide two insights about how the Joint Force can rely on the Telesat Lightspeed satellite network to control its own destiny for satellite access anywhere, anytime, and to add redundancy in Multidomain Operations (MDOs). I first define what Multidomain Operations is, what Command and Control (C2) is, and the characteristics for effective C2 in MDOs which necessitate Telesat Lightspeed.

In a recent interview, former Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) VAdm Bob Auchterlonie said regarding the takeaways from the Ukraine war: "When we talk pan-domain we’re talking on the land, in the air, on the sea, in cyber and in space, all within the broader information environment. We’re seeing all-domain conflict on the battlefield right now, and most things are probably classified. You’re seeing significant jamming on the battlefield, including space-based and ground-based capabilities. You’re seeing electronic warfare space playing out not only in space, but terrestrially as well. So, you’re seeing this conflict across all five domains within that broader information environment, and that’s something for us to understand. How do you command and control that within all five? How do you organize your force for that?"?

Multidomain Operations involve the integrated use of military forces across at least two domains (air, land, sea, Space, cyber, electronic warfare "EW" and information operations). Greater ability to conduct MDOs will make a nation more resilient by giving its forces greater options.

The Command and Control (C2) concept is the collection of organizations, processes, authorities, roles, and responsibilities that the joint force uses to gain situational awareness (SA) as well as plan, execute and assess operations.

The following are four characteristics for a C2 structure to enable MDOs:

(1) The joint force needs C2 structures and processes that allow decisions to be made more quickly;

(2) sufficient expertise and Situational Awareness (SA) in relevant domains are essential to generating and executing multidomain options;

(3) planners and commanders must move beyond service and domain stovepipes and adopt a mindset that emphasizes domain-agnostic solutions; and

(4) the realization of the threat to communications in a conflict with a near peer and the need for greater resilience in any future C2 construct to support MDOs.

Regarding the threat to communications in a conflict with a near peer, it is prudent to assume that a near peer would attack communications and C2 systems to undermine operations. Long-distance communications between North America and forward forces would likely be the most vulnerable, but local communications among allied forces could also be degraded. Attacks on a smaller number of high-payoff targets such as undersea cables and infrastructure for satellite communications could disrupt or degrade these links. Having a larger number of communications links and redundant communications would make it harder for a near peer to degrade long-distance communications.

Telesat's Low-Earth-Orbiting (LEO) satellite network named "Telesat Lightspeed" is a data transport network of 198 satellites interconnected by lasers and connected to a private network of ground stations using Ka band. Telesat Lightspeed is a fault tolerant mesh network in Space with NIST compliant cybersecurity. The Joint Force can rely on it to add redundancy and mitigate risk.

Regarding C2 structures and processes that allow decisions to be made more quickly, access to satellite communications in MDOs is essential. During the planning phase, access to satellite communications might require prioritization, deconfliction, and approvals by each component. If required, additional steps and approvals are needed for integrating this enabling capability. This could create uncertainty during the planning phase and requires planning to address the risk of not having the right satellite communications available.

During times of conflict or war when there is a surge in demand of satellite network capacity across theatres of operation, the involvement of the procurement agencies and the satellite operators is required to find the needed capacity. These additional steps and approvals introduce time delays that undermine mission effectiveness.

When the Joint Force or component has secured Telesat Lightspeed network capacity, it controls its own destiny. The Joint Force or component becomes a Virtual Network Operator (VNO) with full control of its own network capacity pool and end user equipment without satellite operator intervention thereby minimizing delays.

Telesat Lightspeed generates a secure communications enabling capability for the Joint Force, supporting a more resilient and agile C2 construct to support MDOs. For more information about Telesat Lightspeed visit www.telesat.com

Sources:

Vanguard Canada. (n.d.). Shaping the future of defence: Key takeaways from the Joint Operations Symposium, from https://vanguardcanada.com/shaping-the-future-of-defence-key-takeaways-from-the-joint-operations-symposium/

Priebe, Miranda, Douglas C. Ligor, Bruce McClintock, Michael Spirtas, Karen Schwindt, Caitlin Lee, Ashley L. Rhoades, Derek Eaton, Quentin E. Hodgson, and Bryan Rooney, Multiple Dilemmas: Challenges and Options for All-Domain Command and Control. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2020. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA381-1.html.