Exploring Air and Space Power
The conference culminated in discussions on integrating innovation and agility within the cycle of defense capability improvement.
Rapid developments in science and technology has created global challenges and disruptions in all fields, including defense.
Every country in the world inevitably has to adapt, innovate and invest in order to maintain national defense capabilities and resilience that are relevant. This issue has become an interesting subject of discussion among defense experts across the world, including those in the field of air and space power. It prompted the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to hold the 2022 Air and Space Power Conference, attended by the Air Force chiefs of staff as well as military and civilian officials of 33 countries.
This year themed "Resilience and Innovation in Air and Space", the biennial event aims to explore various elements in the field of air and space power from the military, academic and industry perspectives. Broadly speaking, the theme was divided into three main topics: sustainability, space, as well as sensors and artificial intelligence (AI).
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The topic of sustainability referred to the challenges of making the world of aerospace and outer space more environmentally friendly, including through the use of environmentally friendly fuels.
On the topic of space, the conference discussed the role of academia and industry in developing the CubeSat satellite to realize a space network to accommodate needs in outer space. In the field of sensors and AI, the development of essential sensor technologies to generate data as input for AI in drones, robots and other systems was discussed.
The conference culminated in discussions on integrating innovation and agility within the cycle of defense capability improvement. In its conclusion, the conference emphasized that key innovations created progress for organizations.
With these three catalysts, organizations can integrate innovation within the cycle of defense capability improvement to achieve sustainable development.
Innovation requires several catalysts to ensure its sustainability, including support from leaders and organizations in the form of broad opportunities to innovate, adequate funding and efforts to make innovation part of an organization’s culture. With these three catalysts, organizations can integrate innovation within the cycle of defense capability improvement to achieve sustainable development.
Recent developments
Since the Wright brothers’ historic event in the early 20th century, various new discoveries in the field of aerospace have given the domain of air an important position in the concept of defense. The use of motorized aircraft in World War I gave birth to the third domain of warfare, after the domains of land and sea. Over time, the new domain has given many advantages, and many even consider the air domain as a determinant of successful missions during war.
Furthermore, no more than a century since the first aircraft took to the skies above Kitty Hawk, air forces around the world have operated fourth-generation aircraft with improved avionics and aerodynamics of high maneuverability. Fourth-generation aircraft have also blurred the line between airstrike missions and air superiority missions, thanks to their multi-role capability to carry out both missions.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in gives a thumbs-up as he boards a South Korean-made FA-50 jet fighter to attend the the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition at the Seoul Military Airport in Seongnam, South Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. The event kicked off on Tuesday for five days with many other affiliated events.
The beginning of the 21st century marked the birth of fifth-generation fighter aircraft equipped with stealth technology and advanced sensors that significantly increased situational awareness. This generation of aircraft also possess the ability to operate on a network that receives, stores and shares battlefield information with troops or war fleets that are members of a friendly battlegroup.
Fifth-generation aircraft have a major role in the concept of fifth-generation air combat, a battle concept that connects all components of military power and involves multi-domain combat that combines various air power platforms with systems that integrate information, sensors and effects to command and control.
Then, roughly six decades since the inaugural flight of the Wright brothers' Kitty Hawk Flyer, aerospace technology began to penetrate beyond the atmosphere, and in just half a century, thousands of satellites were launched into orbit. The constellation of satellites has provided various facilities for mankind, such as remote sensing, weather observation, communication and broadcasting.
The use of space has given birth to the fourth domain in the defense concept. Satellite technology has also been developed to support defense missions, such as a missile defense system with the capability to carry out missile guidance and missile detection.
The world’s developed countries have begun to develop various anti-satellite weapons, even forming a new organization that regulates the use of space in terms of defense.
This means that we have a great opportunity to study, explore and exploit the space domain.
On the other hand, the number of actors behind the use of outer space are also expanding. Apart from state institutions, civilians are also exploring outer space for various purposes, even space tourism. This means that we have a great opportunity to study, explore and exploit the space domain.
Technological advances have also given rise to a fifth domain in the defense sector. If the previous four domains are naturally available, the fifth domain is formed by humans as a network of devices in all corners of the world. The digital network has developed into the fifth domain of defense in line with the increasing connectivity of devices and the human need for the convenience it provides. Like the other four domains, the cyber domain is also vulnerable to misuse and disruption, and can impact on national stability. The Indonesian Air Force must anticipate threats that rise in cyberspace.
An AG600 drops a payload of water during a performance for the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2021, on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021 in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province.
In addition to the current five domains of battle, the rapid development of technology also presents its own challenges. The addition of the latest technologies, such as autonomous systems with AI support and machine learning on unmanned aircraft, has significantly increased defense capabilities, with some even saying that such aircraft will be a game changer in modern combat.
Weapons systems are also increasingly lethal. The development of high-precision hypersonic missiles capable of traveling up to five times the speed of sound makes this weapon difficult to track and destroy. Russia's Kinzhal missile is claimed to be the first hypersonic missile to be used in combat, with an underground arsenal as its target.
Not to mention the development of directed energy weapons, such as lasers and microwaves, which will soon be operational. All these developments clearly pose challenges to the defense of each country. We must prepare ourselves as early as possible to face these challenges.
State of Indonesia's air power
Currently, Indonesia's air combat fleet capabilities are mature enough to carry out land attacks and demonstrate air superiority. However, to reach a higher level, we need the ability to fight on a network with real-time data exchange and a battle management system that has comprehensive monitoring capabilities and the ability to integrate all battlefield forces.
The Indonesian Air Force must strengthen its role in controlling the air, air attack capabilities and air mobility support, as well as implementing simultaneous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). In a broader scope, the country also needs to achieve an independent defense industry. Both the government and the private sector play an important role in increasing capacity of the defense industry.
All policymakers must collaborate to prepare the nation's assets and resources to face this challenge.
Developing an integrated whole-generation procurement system capable of supporting fifth-generation technology is essential. This system is expected to encourage achievements in network-centric warfare capabilities. Nationwide awareness of the development of this domain of warfare must be created within the same frame, through both focus group discussions and scientific research. All policymakers must collaborate to prepare the nation's assets and resources to face this challenge.
In the long term, the space and cyber domains are expected to be part of a comprehensive national defense policy. One important aspect that must be prioritized to face future challenges is to improve the quality of human resources in the Indonesian Air Force. We cannot deny that modern warfare also relies a lot on brainware, such as digital talents who have mastered computer software and network systems, as well as experts who have mastered the electromagnetic spectrum.
The Indonesian Air Force is committed to increasing its knowledge and capabilities to create an ecosystem that is professional and increasingly adaptible to the times. The Indonesian Air Force will continue to strive to carry out digital transformation in becoming a respected Air Force in the region.
Fadjar Prasetyo
Fadjar Prasetyo, Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff (Air Marshal)
Long live the Indonesian Air Force!
(This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswo)
