https://crsreports.congress.gov
Updated January 21, 2022
Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2)
What Is JADC2?
Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) is the
Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) concept to connect
sensors from all of the military services—Air Force, Army,
Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force—into a single
network. Traditionally, each of the military services
developed its own tactical network that was incompatible
with those of other services (i.e., Army networks were
unable to interface with Navy or Air Force networks). DOD
officials have argued that future conflicts may require
decisions to be made within hours, minutes, or potentially
seconds compared with the current multiday process to
analyze the operating environment and issue commands.
They have also stated that the Department’s existing
command and control architecture is insufficient to meet the
demands of the National Defense Strategy (NDS). Congress
may be interested in the concept because it is being used to
develop many high-profile procurement programs.
DOD uses ride-sharing service Uber as an analogy to
describe its desired end state for JADC2. Uber combines
two different apps—one for riders and a second for drivers.
Using the respective users’ position, the Uber algorithm
determines the optimal match based on distance, travel
time, and passengers (among other variables). The
application then seamlessly provides directions for the
driver to follow, delivering the passenger to their
destination. Uber relies on cellular and Wi-Fi networks to
transmit data to match riders and provide driving
instructions.
Figure 1. Visualization of JADC2 Vision
Source: https://www.monch.com/mpg/news/ew-c4i-channel/7334-
saic-and-usaf-partner-for-jadc2.html.
JADC2 envisions providing a cloud-like environment for
the Joint force to share intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance data, transmitting across many
communications networks, to enable faster decisionmaking
(see Figure 1). JADC2 intends to enable commanders to
make better decisions by collecting data from numerous
sensors, processing the data using artificial intelligence
algorithms to identify targets, then recommending the
optimal weapon—both kinetic and nonkinetic (e.g., cyber
or electronic weapons)—to engage the target.
Some analysts take a more skeptical approach to JADC2.
They raise questions about its technical maturity and
affordability, and whether it is even possible to field a
network that can securely and reliably connect sensors to
shooters and support command and control in a lethal,
electronic warfare-rich environment. Analysts also ask who
would have decisionmaking authority across domains,
given that, traditionally, command authorities are delegated
in each domain rather than from an overall campaign
perspective. Some also question how much a human will be
needed for JADC2 to make decisions in real time, and
whether it is appropriate to reduce the amount of human
involvement in military-related decisions.
Why Change Current C2 Structures?
The future operating environment articulated by the NDS,
the NDS Commission, and other sources describes how
potential adversaries have developed sophisticated anti-
access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities (see Figure 2).
These capabilities include electronic warfare, cyber
weapons, long-range missiles, and advanced air defenses.
U.S. competitors have pursued A2/AD capabilities as a
means of countering traditional U.S. military advantages—
such as the ability to project power—and improving their
ability to win quick, decisive engagements.
Figure 2. A2/AD Environment
Source: https://www.japcc.org/electronic-warfare-the-forgotten-
discipline/.
Senior DOD leaders have stated that access to data and
information will be critical in the future operating
environment. In addition, these leaders have stated that to
challenge potential peer adversaries, a multidomain
approach is required (where U.S. forces would use ground,
