Air forces need to be capable of delivering air and space power effects to support conventional and special operations in the land domain. Air-Land integration is one of the most important capabilities for successful joint operations. The last decade has seen a significant shift in how airpower has supported ground operations. With the introduction of systems like Rover, the ability of airpower to provide precision strike to the ground forces saw a significant change in fire support from a wide variety of air platforms. Precision air dropping in support of outposts or moving forces introduced new capabilities of support. Yet this template of air ground is really focused on air support to the ground whereas with the shift in the global situation, a much wider set of situations are emerging whereby the air-ground integration approach will become much wider in character, and the ability to insert force rapidly, as a precision strike capability, and to be withdrawn will be a key tool in the toolbox for decision makers. Fifth generation enabled operations will see a shift to a distributed C2 approach which will clearly change the nature of the ground-to air command system, and the with the ability of fifth generation systems to generate horizontal communications among air assets outside the boundaries of a classic AWACs directed system, the change in C2 will be very wide ranging. BG Mills provide a perspective from the Australian Army's approach to modernization with regard to a way ahead for the Australian Defence Force.

1. Brig Chris Mills
Director General Modernisation - Army
Where to from here?
‘Air Land Integration’
How will the ADF deliver on the
Vision of Air Land Integration

2. What have we learnt?

4. What: Live fire battle run during Ex Predators Run on 23
Oct 15 at Cultana Training Area
Who:
Combat Team
• C Coy 7 RAR
• D Sqn (APC)
• A Sqn (Tank)
• Engr Section
Task: Clear a platoon sized position NLT 1800 h
• Preparation: ROC drill between JFT and CT COMD established
conditions for check fires and strafing run
• At 1215 (Hhr): CT stepped over the LD with the pair of FA18 held
at 8500MSL. CT moved to and secured RL Buick in preparation for
the deliberate assault onto Obj Sliver
• At 1240 h: The JFO who was unable to observe Obj Silver, passed
a situation update and CAS Brief (formerly ‘9 Line’) to the TACP
• At 1245 h: The TACP established communications with the now
airborne FA18 pair and passed on the situation update and
pre‐planned CAS brief from the JFO.
• At 1255 h: The TACP handed control of the pair to the JTAC in an
anchor OP. Immediately the JTAC talked the FA18 pair onto the
target at Obj Silver and achieved target correlation (‘tally’)
• At 1305 h:The JFO then took control of the pair and following
clearance from JTAC in the anchor OP, synchronised the strafing
attack with the CT’s assault
• This action was repeated on Obj Gold to the same positive effect.
RAAF Edn
Overview
CUTA
Supported by
•Pair FA18 (77 SQN RAAF)
•102 Bty
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Where are we now?

5. Where to from here?
Improving connectivity
• Interim Tactical Data Link for ARH Tiger
• Battle Management System – Land
• Battle Management System –Joint Fires
• Joint Mission Planning System for Air Force and Army aviation planning.
• Joint project for Beyond Line of Sight Communications in a Satellite denied
environment
• Ground Based Air and Missile Defence capabilities as part of a theatre
defence capability that links with Air Force and Navy.
• Joint Battle Management System – Integrated ground based systems to
support a future Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defence System.
• Various Defence Capability Assurance Programs (CAP) providing funding to
achieve desired levels of technical integration (ARH, MRH, CH-47F, ….)

6. Realising the Vision

7. (LAND 400 Examples ONLY)
Tomorrow’s Opportunity

8. Conclusion & Questions