3.5c Update: Agile Control: Distributed Collaborating Deciders
Tracks
Track 3
| Thursday, November 12, 2020 |
| 1:00 PM - 1:55 PM |
Speaker
COL Roger Symons
Director Multi-domain PMO
Air Force Headquarters
.
Abstract
The Future C2 Concept proposes that operations will be conducted using ‘Agile Control’ methods – where Deciders adapt to the battlespace by collaboratively determining the best course of action as situations unfold. The C4ISR design guidance will align interoperability requirements and enable Agile Control to provide Australia a warfighting advantage.
The last two decades of ADF operational experience has not involved an adversary with air power, EMS manipulation capability or manoeuvrable missiles. Agile Control evolves C4ISR concepts from centralised solutions to decentralised, collaborating deciders, enabling the exploitation of new sensor and effector technologies in contested and congested environments.
Current approaches to developing design guidance have involved C4ISR Design and the Capability Managers working independently, resulting in inconsistent interoperability requirements. A new approach was required that would deliver a single coherent design that enabled Agile Control and other future concepts and emerging technologies to be employed to combat future threats. The new approach leveraged a range of different skillsets: Army, Navy and Air Force subject matter experts in the threat space, CIOG and Industry to further the understanding of the future technologies and art of the possible, Force Integration Division and CASG expertise in future concepts and guidance on how Australia aims to conduct C2 and IAMD.
This talk presents the collaborative approach to successfully developing C4ISR Design Guidance that likely will be extended to other Multi-Domain Program activities.
The last two decades of ADF operational experience has not involved an adversary with air power, EMS manipulation capability or manoeuvrable missiles. Agile Control evolves C4ISR concepts from centralised solutions to decentralised, collaborating deciders, enabling the exploitation of new sensor and effector technologies in contested and congested environments.
Current approaches to developing design guidance have involved C4ISR Design and the Capability Managers working independently, resulting in inconsistent interoperability requirements. A new approach was required that would deliver a single coherent design that enabled Agile Control and other future concepts and emerging technologies to be employed to combat future threats. The new approach leveraged a range of different skillsets: Army, Navy and Air Force subject matter experts in the threat space, CIOG and Industry to further the understanding of the future technologies and art of the possible, Force Integration Division and CASG expertise in future concepts and guidance on how Australia aims to conduct C2 and IAMD.
This talk presents the collaborative approach to successfully developing C4ISR Design Guidance that likely will be extended to other Multi-Domain Program activities.
Biography
Colonel Roger Symons joined the Army in 1989 and graduated from Royal Military College, Duntroon in June 1990. He was commissioned into the Royal Australian Armoured Corps and completed command, staff and training appointments in armoured units.
He is a graduate of both Australian Command and Staff College and the Capability and Technology Management College where he was awarded was awarded the Communications Information Systems, Logistics and Technical Staff Studies prizes. He holds a Masters of Management Defence Studies from the University of Canberra and a Masters of Management Defence Acquisition from the University of New South Wales.
In 2005, Colonel Symons was posted to Capability Development Group (CDG) where he represented Australia at the United States Joint Forces Command. In this appointment he contributed to combined US / Australian interoperability of C4ISR networks, joint fires, and national simulation networks. As a result of this work he was awarded the Chief of Defence Force’s Gold Commendation. On return to Australia, he commanded the School of Armour where he developed unit simulation capabilities and logistic support and was awarded the Chief of Army’s Gold Commendation.
He has been posted to Capability Investment and Resources Division where he has developed successful submissions for Government approvals including the LAND 121 Omnibus submission, for which he was awarded a Gold Commendation from the Chief of CDG.
Colonel Symons has completed postings as the Director of the Defence Materiel Organisation’s Military Operations and Liaison Office, where he oversaw Defence’s Operational Procurement Program. He then coordinated Security Force Assistance across southern Afghanistan whilst embedded in US 1st Cavalry Division.
In Industry, he has managed the Combat Training Centre Program for Cubic Defence Australia and coordinated the Defence upgrade to Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe, the latter resulting in a Chief of Air Force Gold Commendation. He has since returned to uniform to assist Air Force Headquarters by Directing a Multi-Domain Program Management Office.
