Military Information Tech Proven During COVID-19 Crisis

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A local coronavirus response in Stamford, Connecticut functioned as a crucial test of a new data network concept intended to deter Russia and China. 

A first-of-its-kind warning was generated by an experimental data collection system tied into the Pentagon’s planned next-gen combat information effort. Although the data collection and prediction process was unproven, medical personnel was dispatched just in time thanks to the use of the system. 

The sub-system was developed by NORTHCOM and contractors Apple, Google, Palantir, and geospatial intelligence company ESRI, to help pandemic responders rapidly report information up the chain of command.

According to defenseone.com, the episode was an early and critical test of the Joint All-Domain Command and Control, or JADC2 concept. It envisions a system for keeping commanders abreast of complex and dynamic battlefields that is central to Pentagon visions of future warfare.  The vision for this communication network-of-networks is connecting “every sensor, every shooter” by having data flow across the five domains of warfare: sea, air, land, cyber and space.”

Teams have a better insight for predictive analysis as more of a comprehensive operating picture has been developed. JADC2 also helps to know where to look for the next hotspots which is critical for the national approach to fighting COVID-19.