The Joint Fires Network is designed to deliver high-quality targeting data and command-and-control information to warfighters by aligning fires tasks into an object-based common data layer. According to the Air Force, the approach provides a shared operating picture and delivers speed and unity of command beyond legacy networks.
“Our mission is to take the JFN prototype and wrap a layer around it that allows us to manage and scale it as a robust capability that will have all the appropriate supportability aspects that a program of record should have,” said Col. Alex Constantine, Joint Fires Network senior materiel leader. He said the integrated program office would provide the infrastructure and oversight needed to make JFN a reliable and strategically important asset.
“The establishment of the IPO allows us to create structured interfaces and venues with the services and Joint Force that ensure integration of fires at the combatant command-level and below,” Constantine said. “We will be able to look at economies of scale, supportability, and warfighting efficiency as we continue to increase the footprint and capabilities of JFN.”
Constantine said the future architecture of JFN will focus on delivering decision advantage to the Joint Force and integrating with the Department of the Air Force Battle Network. “The actual system itself touches multiple parts of planning, fires control, and execution,” he said, adding that it is “a tier 1 combatant command-oriented system that the planners and below at the lower echelons will use to collaboratively plan and execute fires.”
He said joint development is central to the programme’s success, noting contributions from across the services. “We have a Navy deputy and teammates from across the services who bring technical interchanges together to ensure that we’re touching Army, Naval and Department of the Air Force equities holistically,” Constantine said.
Development of the Joint Fires Network will use the Department of War’s Software Acquisition Pathway 5,000.87 to accelerate delivery while maintaining acquisition discipline. “Our approach balances agility with acquisition rigor to continue our rapid fielding efforts while we address supportability in manner tailored to the system’s needs as we move forward,” Constantine said.
The Air Force said the Department of the Air Force Battle Network links sensors, effectors and logistics across roughly 50 programmes of record. It is intended to provide resilient decision advantage for Air Force, Space Force, joint and coalition forces.
