Rapid, informed decision-making can mean the difference between victory and defeat. New command and control systems redefine military surveillance with advanced automation and AI-driven precision. Designed to deliver unmatched situational awareness across all domains, Saab’s 9AIR C4I empowers armed forces to observe, orient, decide, and act faster than ever before.
In modern military conflicts, victory is no longer dictated solely by firepower. Instead, success hinges on the ability to make the right decisions faster than the opponent. This concept was first articulated in the early 1970s by military strategist John Boyd, who developed the OODA loop theory. The OODA loop—standing for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act—suggests that armed forces can secure a decisive edge by repeatedly cycling through these stages more swiftly than their adversaries.
Boyd argued that speed and agility in decision-making are critical to outmaneuvering an opponent. Yet, in today’s world of overwhelming information, achieving this is nearly impossible without intelligent, largely automated systems. This challenge is particularly acute when it comes to monitoring national territories and surrounding areas.
Fully automated data fusion
Situational awareness is the cornerstone of effective military operations, enabling forces to observe, orient, and react to dynamic threats. As highlighted in NATO’s report on its next-generation command and control (C2) systems, advanced surveillance tools such as Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) have long provided critical data to enhance battlefield. However, the current landscape demands a leap from merely knowing the operational picture to orchestrating complex responses across domains with seamless precision.
Modern command and control systems must be capable of analyzing and integrating vast streams of incoming data, identifying anomalies, and offering actionable insights. These systems are essential to supporting operators in managing the complexities of contemporary missions, ensuring that they can act with precision and clarity in high-pressure situations.
The transition reflects a broader strategic shift driven by the complexity of multi-domain operations, where real-time information must translate into decisive action across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains.
“Monitoring your own territory is all about speed and precision,” explained Martin Vobora, an expert in air command & control and guidance systems at Saab. “The sheer volume of civilian and military signals must be evaluated and synchronized within fractions of a second—a task beyond human capability in such a tight timeframe.”
Numerous command and control systems exist for airspace surveillance, but few are as highly automated as Saab’s 9AIR C4I. This Swedish defence solution empowers armed forces to execute the OODA loop with minimal personnel, offering unparalleled efficiency. Vobora highlighted the system’s ability to reduce operator workload further. “As part of our system’s data fusion, the best position and quality of a track can be delivered without the operator having to intervene,” Vobora explained. “There is also a function where tracks from the multi-sensor tracker and correlator can be automatically evaluated and combined to assess the identity of the target, this is another function to limit the burden of the operator.”
Accurate and Reliable Situational Picture
At the heart of the 9AIR C4I system is the Track Data Fusion Engine (TDFE), a state-of-the-art multi-sensor tracker and correlator. Using advanced algorithms, the TDFE processes data from a variety of sources—such as plots, bearings, and tracks—to deliver an accurate and reliable situational picture. By integrating inputs from active and passive sensors with data from other systems, it provides operators with the clarity and speed required for rapid decision-making.
The software achieves this by creating a fully automated motion trajectory for incoming signals. It merges diverse sensor inputs, including ADS-B, AIS, electronic support measures (ESM), and electronic countermeasures (ECM). This sophisticated data fusion ensures the best possible track position and quality, enabling operators to act without manual intervention.
With its high level of automation and precision, the 9AIR C4I sets a benchmark for modern airspace surveillance systems, ensuring armed forces can act swiftly and decisively in critical situations.
One System, Countless Applications
The 9AIR C4I command and control system from Saab exemplifies versatility, with hardware based on commercially available COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) components. The physical setup varies depending on the deployment environment. For large, secure military installations with ample space, the system is scalable, allowing for more expansive workstations and displays. However, the same solution is equally adaptable for mobile or container-based operations.
In its portable configuration, the entire setup, including the necessary computing power and infrastructure connectivity, fits into a compact unit that can be carried by two people. “Whether deployed in a fixed control unit or a mobile setting, a C2 system is vital for achieving comprehensive situational awareness,” said Saab’s Martin Vobora. “It must therefore function perfectly and deliver its full performance in any environment.”
Similar to a smartphone, Saab’s C2 system comes with a foundational software platform that can be customized with modular applications to meet specific operational needs. One standout innovation is the Multi-Sensor Optimiser (MSO), an AI-powered tool designed to enhance decision-making when managing large numbers of sensors.
The MSO analyses operator requirements, topographical data, geographical location, and the technical specifications of available sensors. It then optimizes their collective use through efficient iteration, delivering a sharper situational picture. This is especially valuable in dynamic environments, where conditions shift rapidly, and diverse users demand tailored information. By streamlining the decision cycle, the MSO ensures timely and precise responses.
Notably, many of Saab’s advanced applications, including the Multi-Sensor optimizer, can be integrated into existing C2 systems, provided the necessary technical interfaces are in place. This compatibility enhances the flexibility of the 9AIR C4I system, making it an indispensable tool for modern defence operations.
AI Tackles Sensor Bias
The 9AIR C4I system from Saab stands out for its ability to interpret and cross-reference data with precision. It analyses movement patterns while comparing signals against civilian databases to distinguish between a commercial aircraft and a potential military intruder. Additionally, the system is capable of identifying ballistic missiles, swiftly calculating their potential impact points within the brief flight window. Fully automated target tracking ensures operators are presented with a clear, concise interface, where all tracks are displayed. In cases of threats or anomalies, the system can issue automated warnings and even suggest actionable recommendations, streamlining decision-making.
Designed to process all currently recognized signals, the 9AIR C4I delivers a comprehensive situational overview. Yet, no sensor is entirely free of error, and duplicate signals may occasionally arise. “Thanks to machine learning and AI, our system cannot only detect such susceptibility to errors and merge traces, the system also learns from the bias of individual sensors and remembers them for the future,” explained Saab’s Martin Vobora.
Operators can configure rules manually or rely on the system’s AI to establish them based on observed patterns. This learning capability enables the AI to identify sudden deviations and issue warnings, all powered by Saab’s advanced data fusion software. Regarded as one of the best globally, this software is so highly regarded that other C2 providers often purchase and integrate it into their own systems.
“The proportion of AI in the systems is continuously growing, and there is great potential for the future. Especially as the resources of armed forces are increasingly limited,” Vobora noted.
Cybersecurity and Continuous Improvement
In an era where cyber-attacks are a persistent threat, the security of command-and-control systems is paramount. Sensitive data within the 9AIR C4I is safeguarded by robust cybersecurity measures. Saab provides ongoing support to its customers, including regular updates, software upgrades, and tailored enhancements based on specific client needs.
These incremental improvements not only ensure the system’s resilience against emerging threats but also enhance its capabilities for all users, creating a dynamic platform that evolves in step with operational demands.
Multi-Domain Situational Awareness: A Growing Necessity
Command and control systems like 9AIR C4I are pivotal across all operational domains, extending beyond air surveillance to naval and ground forces. Yet, the development of a fully integrated, cross-domain situational awareness picture remains underutilized. This gap, however, is not due to technological limitations.
“In principle, all signals from all domains can already be summarised in one situational picture. This is technologically possible,” explained Saab’s Martin Vobora. “However, the individual domains within armed forces currently operate mostly in silos. There are various limitations to a common operational picture in joint operations, which is also because the organization is very different in each country. Nevertheless, the increasing threat situation will require greater integration in the near future.”
Advancements in communication technologies—such as 5G networks and satellite communications—are enhancing the capabilities of C2 systems, paving the way for real-time data transmission and remote-control operations across diverse environments. High-speed, low-latency networks enable faster, more reliable decision-making, crucial for maintaining an edge in multi-domain operations.
NATO’s Push for Integration
NATO is actively promoting a multi-domain approach, not just within individual armed forces but also among allied nations. Initiatives such as the publish-and-subscribe model within a joint network exemplify this effort, allowing critical information and resources to be shared efficiently. This approach is particularly relevant for integrated air and missile defence systems, where seamless information exchange is vital.
However, significant challenges remain, particularly regarding the secure transfer of information across domains. Organizational silos remain a significant obstacle to achieving fully integrated C2 capabilities. Furthermore, the integration of data streams from disparate systems requires meticulous coordination to ensure compatibility and security. Differences in operational frameworks, data-sharing protocols, and security classifications—such as red and black networks—complicate efforts to establish a cohesive operational picture. NATO’s efforts to address these barriers, as evidenced in initiatives like integrated air and missile defence, highlight the growing emphasis on collaboration.
Redefining Concepts of Operation
In the face of evolving threats, cooperation across domains and among allies is no longer optional—it is essential. To maintain a decisive advantage and protect troops effectively, precise and efficient situational awareness is critical. While the technology to create real-time, integrated operational pictures is already available, the focus must now shift to reorganizing structures and redefining concepts of operation to leverage this capability fully.
“Staying one step ahead of the enemy requires seamless situational awareness and rapid decision-making,” said Vobora in his interview with NDR. “The challenge lies in ensuring that technological potential is matched by organizational readiness.”
As multi-domain operations become the cornerstone of modern defence strategies, achieving comprehensive integration will not only enhance mission effectiveness but also fortify allied forces against future threats.
Read More:
- Saab: 9Air C4i
- NATO: NATO strengthens situational awareness with next generation of command and control aircraft
- YouTube: 9AIR C4I – Control for all weapons, sensors and communications
- Air & Space Force Magazine: Moving from Situational Awareness to C2
- Springer/Aerospace Systems: An enhanced situational awareness design for airborne surveillance based on Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast
- MDPI: Situational Awareness: Techniques, Challenges, and Prospects
- All Military Operations: Understanding Air Defense Command and Control Systems in Modern Warfare
- Science Direct: R/B-SecArch: A strong isolated SoC architecture based on red/black concept for secure and efficient cryptographic services
