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Lockheed Martin has supported the US and Japanese Navies successfully demonstrating a Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control capability leveraging the joint Aegis combat system fielded by both nations.
The United States and Japan Self-Defense Forces have successfully conducted coordinated, joint long-range fires across maritime and land units during Exercise Keen Sword near mainland Japan. The exercise has provided valuable insights into future Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) capabilities, paving the way for increased multilateral participation in major military exercises.
A key highlight of the exercise was the integration of the Virtualised Aegis Weapon System (VAWS), which supported the US Army’s 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force in a naval special warfare mission to strike a land target.
The Aegis system demonstrated its flexibility and interoperability by transmitting digital fire coordination orders between land and maritime forces, eliminating the need for manual operations.
VAWS successfully integrated with existing military service databases, including the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System, to coordinate simulated long-range fires. This seamless digital process enhances operational efficiency and ensures precision when seconds matter.
The exercise highlighted the ability to reliably integrate command and control (C2) data from multiple disparate sources, simulating a long-range strike from a ground battery system. US and Japanese maritime forces worked together to coordinate and execute these operations across multiple domains.
Lockheed Martin’s Erika Marshall, vice president of C4ISR, emphasised the significance of the Keen Sword Technology Observer Demonstration Program, stating, “This program allowed us to demonstrate to senior military and civilian leaders from the US, Japan and Australia how our common joint C2 architecture can help achieve their vision for multilateral interoperability and integration across domains. These capabilities can be deployed with urgency and upgraded swiftly to meet mission needs.”
Chandra Marshall, vice president and general manager of multi-domain combat solutions at Lockheed Martin, further highlighted the scalability of Aegis, adding, “Utilising VAWS in the exercise demonstrated the ability of Aegis to support both land and sea-based operations. By transmitting fire control orders digitally and integrating with the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System, this further enables the CJADC2 vision and ensures rapid response.”
Exercise Keen Sword, held biennially since 1986, is a bilateral field training exercise designed to enhance the combat readiness and interoperability of Japanese Self-Defense Forces and US forces.
The expeditionary deployment of Aegis during this exercise demonstrated its ability to operate beyond traditional maritime infrastructure, further reinforcing CJADC2 integration. This capability is particularly relevant given that the United States, Japan, South Korea and Australia all utilise Aegis as a core part of their defensive operations.
The success of Keen Sword marks an important step towards strengthening regional security partnerships and ensuring seamless interoperability between allied forces in the face of evolving global threats.
