In the current geopolitical context[1], digital transformation offers amphibious forces the opportunity to make significant operational progress, and in particular to improve interoperability.

What is an amphibious operation? An amphibious operation is a maneuver in which an air-land force is projected from the sea onto territory held by an opposing force. An amphibious force is therefore a joint force capable of producing tactical effects on the coast.

 

Why amphibious forces?

Because of its vast expanse, and the flexibility of international maritime law[2], the sea offers military powers great freedom of action.

It also enables mass transportation: 90% of international traffic by volume passes through the sea. What applies to trade also applies to the projection of forces (vehicles, equipment, troops).

For these reasons, amphibious operations have played a major role in conflicts since antiquity: the battles of Marathon, the Norman invasions, etc.

World War II was the golden age of amphibious operations, with the landings in North Africa and France, and General MacArthur’s campaign in the Pacific.

Nearly 40 years later, the Falklands War perfectly illustrated the strength of amphibious capability with two consecutive landings; first by Argentina, then by Britain.

Finally, based on their more recent combat experience in external operations (e.g., Opération Harmattan), the French armed forces devote a significant part of their operational preparation to training for this type of demanding operation.

But is possession of amphibious vessels and projectable air-land forces enough to claim to have an operational amphibious force?

 

Implementing amphibious operations: high stakes, multiple constraints

An amphibious operation requires action in all environments[3]. In terms of command, perfect inter-army interoperability at the tactical level is essential. This requires mastery of a range of complex skills, both in mission preparation and implementation, such as air support and surface-to-air defense.

In particular, mastering air support is fundamental, as the force must conduct fire support and helicopter raids in a restricted zone, while ensuring the surface-to-air defense of its own forces.

To catch the enemy off-guard and control its tempo by shortening the decision loop, these missions have to be carried out at the same time.

Geographical or temporal segregation no longer represents a sufficient level of integration to achieve operational superiority.

It’s necessary to be able to positively identify all of one’s forces in the face of an adversary who will also be posing a 3D threat with aerial drones. To achieve this, interoperability between the tactical information systems of one side’s various armed forces is essential. For example, a navy combat management system (CMS) needs to work with an army battle management system (BMS).

This interoperability would greatly reduce the probability of fratricidal fire and shorten the decision loop needed to neutralize an enemy target. Today, these specific needs come up against capacity limits in the armed forces.

 

Amphibious: what are the limits to meeting needs?

To achieve the strategic and operational superiority offered by amphibious systems, a number of challenges still need to be overcome:

1) Heterogeneity of command and control (C2 systems)

The heterogeneity of C2 systems and associated tactical data links penalizes tactical information sharing in reflex time. This hinders interoperability. As a result, the desire to carry out integrated multi-domain operations is now coming up against the technical reality on the battlefield.

2) Lack of digitalization of certain units

Too many units are not digitalized due to a lack of suitable technologies such as miniaturization and connectivity.

Yet the lack of digitalization still results in too many radio exchanges that can be intercepted by the adversary’s electromagnetic warfare systems, eliminating the element of surprise.

What’s more, non-digitalized units are, by definition, invisible to other/allied forces. Under these conditions, coordination is difficult to envision.

So, what solutions are needed to strengthen the amphibious capability of our armed forces?

 

Digital transformation for amphibious operations

1) C2 tactical interoperability

Only the interoperability of mission management systems (MMS) in reflex time can guarantee unity of command. Today, some tactical MMS do not use the same data links to share their situations. They are not interoperable. The challenge is therefore to provide specialized multi-level gateways enabling interoperability between the tactical links of each environment.

2) Digitalization of all units

It is necessary to digitalize all units that are not digitalized (e.g., beach reconnaissance groups, amphibious vehicles, UAVs and elementary units of the amphibious land force). In France, this will be achieved by deploying land-based SICS. The implementation of light tactical MMS adapted to the needs of naval units must also be considered.

3) Broadband to support air-land combat

Once the surprise effect has passed and the landing is underway, units in the amphibious zone of operations can benefit from improved connectivity. Sometimes, however, communications systems are constrained by low bandwidth. Implementing 4G bubbles from landing helicopter docks can provide the projected forces with high-speed communications capabilities.

This is all the more important in view of the increasing number of drone operations requiring high data (video) flows.

 

Functional integration of drones for operational efficiency

Drones offer a wide range of opportunities for information gathering.

The critical phase of beach reconnaissance can be carried out discreetly by surface or underwater drones, to maintain the element of surprise for as long as possible.

As for aerial drones, they make a major contribution to intelligence gathering and targeting, as well as neutralization (remotely operated munitions).

However, having many drones is not enough. For the reasons outlined above, it is essential that their information be integrated into tactical MMS. At the very least, their position must be shared by all units, thanks to a high level of interoperability. What’s more, a drone can be ineffective if it is unable to transmit in reflex time the critical information it has detected, such as the position of a target.

A system for integrating drones with the various C2s represents real added value for armed forces.

Amphibious operations are extremely demanding. In fact, this joint domain could undoubtedly be considered as the synthesis level, from which the operational level of a country’s armed forces and their interoperability can be judged.

Digitalization and automation can significantly enhance the operational efficiency of an amphibious force.

The SCORPION combat information system (SICS) is a BMS successfully launched by Eviden and developed in close collaboration with the French Army. It adapts to the demanding requirements imposed by the aero terrestrial operations context: large numbers of diverse units, bandwidth constraints and more.

This same know-how will be able to adapt to the constraints of an allied amphibious force, providing it with the digital capabilities and interoperability it requires.

References and sources

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