Since 2018, the Pentagon’s Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) initiative has become more important for US military operations, particularly in preparing to counter major competitors such as China. However, according to a recent analysis, the initiative’s lack of clear objectives and concrete examples has led to confusion among defense officials and industry partners tasked with implementing it.
CJADC2 aims to connect sensors, shooters, and commanders across military branches. Each service branch is currently developing its own approach: the Navy through Project Overmatch, the Army with Project Convergence, and the Air Force via its Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS). Meanwhile, combatant commanders and the Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) are building networks designed to enable information sharing across theaters.
The report notes that much of CJADC2’s ambiguity comes from mixing up joint integration—a strategic goal—with technical challenges such as communications interoperability. This focus on networking requirements can leave out other key elements like logistics, protection, and cross-service information sharing. The result is that US forces often integrate with other services only upon arriving at a theater of operations.
As reliance on computerized systems grows within the DoD, effective joint operations will increasingly depend on both technical integration of data architectures and decision-making capabilities. Historically, US forces relied on common doctrine for integration; now they face new challenges in adapting to networked warfare.
To address these issues, Hudson Institute and the Emerging Technologies Institute (ETI) of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) convened a symposium with senior leaders from government and industry. Panel discussions covered lessons from current conflicts such as Ukraine, organizational responsibilities within DoD, and integrating command-and-control technologies including C5ISR—command, control, communication, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Based on insights from this event as well as subsequent interviews and research analysis, six principles were proposed for improving joint force integration:
1. Prioritize federated integration over universal standards.
2. Emphasize data-centric approaches instead of network-centric ones.
3. Maintain adaptability by using modular approaches and empowering field units.
4. Develop “on-demand interoperability” tools for different systems to share information efficiently.
5. Organize efforts around shared mission problem statements rather than broad technological goals.
6. Recognize that organizational culture presents greater obstacles than technology itself.
According to the paper’s authors: “The DoD could achieve joint integration more quickly by prioritizing requirements for federated integration over universal standards.” They also note: “Interoperability will require the DoD to have a continued emphasis on a data-centric approach over a network-centric one.” The recommendations include creating collaborative cycles between warfighters and technologists so solutions can be developed rapidly in response to immediate operational needs—contrasting with slower top-down processes that may take years or decades.
A federated approach would allow various industry partners to contribute system components independently while streamlining testing through virtual evaluations of individual platforms or software modules rather than waiting for full-system assembly.
The authors point out: “By federating joint integration for specific missions or operational challenges, the DoD could yield a growing set of options for future system-of-system instantiations.” They further highlight how this flexibility enables rapid adaptation when facing new threats or operational requirements.
Historically successful US military campaigns relied on joint operations—such as combined arms tactics in World War II or networked operations during Desert Storm—but today’s environment requires both technical connectivity and updated doctrine. To maintain these advantages in modern warfare scenarios against peer adversaries like China,the Pentagon has recognized CJADC2 as essential, but experts argue it must shift from service-specific networking efforts toward true integrated mission execution across all domains.
