Revolutionizing the Navy with 5G and Software

Revolutionizing the Navy with 5G and Software

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The Navy's Current Budget Situation
3. The Wrong Measure: Total Number of Ships
4. Navy Innovation: Unleashing the Power of the Commercial Sector
5. The Software Revolution: Changing the Fleet Today
6. The Proposed Timeline for Implementation
7. Minimizing Moving Parts: Benefits to the Warfighter
8. Leveraging Commercial Solutions
9. Building a Joint Network: The Bottom-Up Approach
10. Overcoming Challenges: Risk Tolerance and Bureaucracy

Article: Unleashing Innovation in the Navy: A Bottom-Up Approach to Fleet Modernization

Introduction

In today's rapidly evolving world, it is imperative for military forces to embrace innovation and adapt to emerging technologies. The United States Navy, as an indispensable component of the nation's defense, must find ways to modernize its fleet to effectively respond to contemporary challenges. However, the navy's current budget situation raises concerns about its ability to grow and evolve. In this article, we will explore a groundbreaking approach to navy innovation, which involves leveraging the power of America's commercial sector to transform the fleet and enhance warfighting capabilities.

The Navy's Current Budget Situation

Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Michael Gilday, acknowledges the limitations imposed by the navy's budget when it comes to expanding the fleet. While the emphasis has traditionally been on increasing the total number of ships, it is increasingly apparent that this metric may not accurately capture the true measure of naval power. Instead of fixating on ship count, it is crucial to reassess the approach to fleet modernization.

The Wrong Measure: Total Number of Ships

According to Major General John Ferrari, a retired U.S. Army officer and visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, the fixation on ship count fails to address the urgent needs of today's warfighters. Many traditional defense programs, such as the Ford carrier and future combat systems, have fallen short of their promises, often becoming obsolete by the time they are deployed. It is time to shift our focus from long-term projects to immediate and impactful innovation that benefits the current warfighter.

Navy Innovation: Unleashing the Power of the Commercial Sector

The proposed approach to navy innovation, put forth by General Ferrari and Bill Greenwald in Real Clear Defense, suggests starting with five existing ships and harnessing the expertise of America's commercial sector. This innovative strategy aims to tap into the software revolution that is sweeping across industries. By outfitting these ships with 5G technology, sensors, cameras, and the Army's Individual Virtual Augmentation System (IVAS), the navy can empower software engineers to work closely with sailors to unleash their creativity and develop cutting-edge applications.

The Software Revolution: Changing the Fleet Today

Unlike traditional defense programs that can take a decade or more to deliver results, the proposed strategy seeks to revolutionize the fleet in a short period. By integrating software and advanced technologies, such as virtual reality, the navy can leverage automation and software to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness. Rather than waiting for technology to become obsolete, this approach ensures that the fleet benefits from increased capability right now.

The Proposed Timeline for Implementation

Drawing inspiration from the successful implementation of IVAS by the Army, General Ferrari suggests a timeline of approximately six months to outfit the selected ships with the necessary technology. This timeframe includes integrating 5G, sensors, cameras, and the IVAS system, as well as collaborating with software engineers and sailors to develop new applications. The goal is to field new software and deploy these advancements in the fleet within four years, significantly faster than the traditional approach.

Minimizing Moving Parts: Benefits to the Warfighter

One of the major advantages of this bottom-up approach to innovation is minimizing the complexity associated with developing AI-enabled ships. Traditional projects, like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, often face challenges due to numerous moving parts and incompatible systems. By leveraging commercial solutions, especially those built on interoperable standards, the navy can provide warfighters with increased capability and adaptability. This approach ensures that the sailors at the lowest level receive the tools they need to operate more effectively.

Leveraging Commercial Solutions

Rather than reinventing the wheel, the proposed strategy emphasizes utilizing existing commercial solutions. Developing software from scratch presents numerous challenges, including interoperability issues and limited resources. By building on the success of IVAS, which relies on commercial gaming technology and cloud computing, the navy can tap into proven and widely accepted standards that allow for seamless integration.

Building a Joint Network: The Bottom-Up Approach

The concept proposed by General Ferrari aligns with the vision outlined by General Goldfein, the former Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The idea is to Create a joint network that facilitates effective communication and collaboration between different branches of the military. By fostering a bottom-up approach to software innovation, the navy can achieve interoperability across various domains, enabling smoother coordination and mission execution.

Overcoming Challenges: Risk Tolerance and Bureaucracy

Implementing this innovative approach requires a willingness to take risks and challenge the status quo. It involves accepting that the navy must borrow and piece together technology from the commercial sector, even if it is not yet fully secure. Additionally, overcoming bureaucratic hurdles related to funding and program management is critical. By learning from the successful deployment of IVAS, the navy can navigate these challenges and deliver significant capability enhancements before significant delays occur.

Conclusion

In an era where technological advancements outpace traditional defense acquisition processes, it is essential for the navy to embrace innovation and modernize its fleet rapidly. By leveraging the power of the commercial sector, applying a bottom-up approach to software innovation, and prioritizing immediate capability gains, the navy can achieve tangible results within a relatively short timeframe. This groundbreaking strategy will empower the warfighter and ensure the navy remains agile, adaptable, and ready to face emerging threats head-on.

Highlights:

• The navy's current budget situation hampers its ability to grow and evolve
• The total number of ships is an inadequate measure of naval power
• Leveraging the power of the commercial sector can drive innovation
• The software revolution allows for rapid fleet modernization
• The proposed strategy aims to minimize complexity and increase warfighter capabilities
• Utilizing existing commercial solutions ensures interoperability and faster deployment
• Building a joint network fosters effective communication and coordination
• Risk tolerance and bureaucratic challenges must be overcome for successful implementation

FAQ:

Q: How long does the proposed timeline suggest for implementing the strategy? A: The proposed timeline suggests approximately six months to outfit the selected ships with technology, with the goal of deploying new software and advancements within four years.

Q: What are the benefits of leveraging commercial solutions? A: Leveraging commercial solutions allows for interoperability, cloud computing, and proven standards. It enables seamless integration and faster development compared to starting from scratch.

Q: How does this approach address the challenges faced by traditional defense programs? A: By adopting a bottom-up approach to software innovation, this strategy minimizes the complexity associated with developing AI-enabled ships and ensures that warfighters receive increased capability today without long delays.

Q: What is the major challenge in implementing this approach? A: The major challenge lies in risk tolerance and overcoming bureaucratic hurdles related to funding and program management. Accepting the need to borrow and piece together technology and streamlining the approval process will be crucial for success.