The 805th Combat Training Squadron, also known as Shadow Operations Center-Nellis, or ShOC-N, completed an experiment aimed at advancing the development of human-machine teaming, data convergence and emerging technologies to enhance the Department of the Air Force Battle Network, particularly its command and control capabilities.
Enhancing Decision Advantage Through Advanced Kill Chain
The Air Force said experiment 3, conducted at the Nellis Air Force Base from June 4 to 13, is intended to advance decision-making capabilities by creating a data-driven automated kill chain spanning operational and tactical C2 levels. The experiment also integrated various tactical C2 nodes and assessed the Air Combat Command’s Project NEXUS workflows, while minimizing risk for high-technology readiness level prototype capabilities by exposing them to a combat-representative environment.
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Leveraging Emerging Tech Like AI
ShOC-N utilized a new planning and execution approach based on the Air Force Warfare Center’s Bamboo Eagle exercise series that allowed the squadron to conduct a realistic stress test of emerging technologies in a simulated combat-like setting.
During experiment 3, an artificial intelligence-powered application, created under the Maven Smart System, provided real-time recommendations to targeting teams. This allowed them to evaluate AI-generated suggestions against decisions made by human operators without using AI tools. The application is intended to minimize the mental burden on decision-makers and accelerate the ‘find, fix, track, target, engage, assess,’ or F2T2EA, process. The results revealed that human qualities such as intuition, experience and situational awareness are advantageous in time-sensitive targeting scenarios.
The experiment also saw the Project Nexus components undergoing stress tests, which supports the DAF’s efforts to establish a resilient and fully integrated operational C2, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, and targeting capabilities.
