JADO Essential Information Requirements, Data Fabrics, and Joint/Coalition Interoperability

To successfully execute Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO) in a highly contested environment, the Joint Force must be capable of rapidly sharing critical data to achieve decision advantage. However, C2 capabilities are historically hindered by technical stovepipes, multiple incompatible networks, and strict classification restrictions (such as the "NOFORN" caveat).

To overcome these barriers and enable seamless, combined multi-domain operations, what are the essential information requirements that JADO commanders must prioritize, and how does JADC2 practically overcome the challenge of incompatible networks to deliver this data at the speed of need? Specifically, what are the most effective technical and policy methods—including containerization, collaborative software, and no-trust environments—to securely weave data from other U.S. government agencies, allies, and partners directly into the Department of the Air Force’s data fabric? Ultimately, what organizational and technical integration strategies will yield the highest return on investment to translate these diverse datasets into a unified, combined C2 capability?

• Anderson IV, Maj. Raymond A., Protecting the Human Link: Joint Terminal Attack Controller Survivability in the Age of Unmanned Systems and Advanced Air Defenses," AFGC thesis, 2026, 50 pgs.
  • Anderson points out that for JTACs, JADC2 currently remains "more aspirational than operational" because systems designed to share data across domains often cannot communicate natively, forcing operators to rely on vulnerable voice communications. To fix this C2 fragility, he recommends modernizing the joint communications architecture with multi-path, multi-band redundancy, low-probability-of-intercept (LPI) networks, and cross-domain datalinks that can adapt and function even when fixed infrastructure is jammed or destroyed.
• ​Anthony, Capt. Ian A., "Network Enabled Weaponry and the Information Systems Needed to Support Them," SOS AUAR paper, 2020, 8 pgs
• Bailey, Maj. Ryan A., "Command of the Air via Control from the Air: Evolution of the Core C2 Competencies Needed to Win Future Contested Operations," SAASS thesis, 2023, 92 pgs. 
• Bellavia, CDR Andrea R., "Extending the Reach: How the Carrier Can Integrate the MQ-25A to Complement Distributed Maritime Operations," AFGC thesis, 2026.
  • Addressed in Bellavia’s discussion of the Navy's Project Overmatch, which is designed to establish a networked kill web of synchronized lethal and non-lethal effects across domains. To overcome the challenge of incompatible networks and integrate diverse data into a cohesive data fabric, Bellavia highlights the development of a software-defined communication system under Project Overmatch that facilitates the secure transfer of data across any network to the warfighter. She recommends equipping the MQ-25 Stingray with this software-defined capability, allowing the unmanned aircraft to serve as the secure 'connective tissue' that relays a common operating picture and links distributed ships, aircraft, and special operations forces across the battlespace.
• Bojanić, Maj. Oliver, "Advancing Tactical Command and Control: A Comparative Case Study Analysis in Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Efficiency and Optimization," GCPME thesis, 2023, 71 pgs. 
• Borcuk, Maj. Katie N., "More Than Flights of Fancy: The Critical Need for a United States Pigeon Messenger Service in the Age of Electronic Warfare," GCPME thesis, 2021, 48 pgs. 
• Buckley, Maj. Brian L., "Enabling Faster Battlespace Decisions through GEOINT Managed Battle Damage Assessment," GCPME/ACSC, 2022, 31 pgs.
• Buelow, Maj. Brandon, "Can You Hear Me Now? Enabling Command, Control and the Joint Targeting cycle in a Degraded or Denied Communications Environment," AWC elective paper, 2019, 12 pgs.
• Caldwell, Lt. Col. James T., "Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control: Requirements to Distribute Missile Defense Information to the Tactical Edge," AWC PSP, 2021, 28 pgs.
• Cook, Col. Brendan RCAF, "Augmented Reality: Collaborative and Analytical Tools for ISR Operations," ILS RTF paper, 2019, 25 pgs.
• Donoho, Maj. Rachel, "Connecting Everything to the Network Won't Make Warfighting Easier," AF Fellows paper (Idaho National Laboratory), 2024, 3 pgs. 
• Estes, Capt. Brett, "Optimizing Joint IPOE for Future Conflicts," SOS AUAR, 2020, 9 pgs.
• Fischer, Capt. Michael, "Bridging the Gap: The Need to Connect Tactical Datalink to Mobile Ad Hock Network (MANET) Ground Radios to Enhance Situational Awareness for Special Operations," SOS AUAR, 2020, 4 pgs.
• Harms, Lt. Col. Brent, "Data Fusion as Software Solution for 2018 OIR Lessons Learned and JADC2," AWC PSP, 2020, 35 pgs.
• Hayworth, Dr. Jordan R., ed. "Operation Inherent Resolve: Insights and Perspectives from Air University," Published by AU Press, 2023, 332 pgs. 
• Howie, Capt. Natalie, "Intelligence Support to Joint All Domain Command and Control Network Vulnerabilities," SOS AUAR Paper, 2020, 8 pgs.
• Hudson, James F., "Recommendations to Achieve DOD Mission Assurance in a Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) Environment," AWC PSP, 2020, 26 pgs.
• Jordan, Lt. Col. Mickey, "Leveraging Chaos: Intelligent Networks for the JADC2 Fight," AWC PSP, 2020, 30 pgs.
• Kazanis, Alexander K., "Closing the Loop: Timely Battle Damage Assessment Evolution for the Anti-Access/Area Denial Challenge," eSchool ACSC thesis, 2020, pg. 49.
• Matissek, Capt. Kyle, "A Conflict with a Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Savvy Near-Peer Demands Secure, Resilient, and Efficient Communication Devices," SOS AUAR, 2020, 5 pgs.
• Meehan, Maj. Brian M., "More than Laptops in Tents: How Deployed Communications Can Support JADC2," AFGC thesis, 2024, 43 pgs. 
• Oeth, Teresa L., "A New Way of Business: Optimizing Information System Capability in Air Mobility Command," GCPME, 2021, 63 pgs. 
• Phillips, Maj. Heath, Major Troy Taylor, and Major Robert Vincent, "Fighting Today's Peer/Near-Peer Fight with Today's Technology," ACSC paper, 2020, 16 pgs.
• Reid, Capt. Wes, "Remote Operation Coordination Kit," SOS AUAR paper, 2019, 2 pgs.
• Salvador, Major John A., "Radio Frequency Photonics: Enabler of Electromagnetic Spectrum Dominance" ACSC - ACTS 2.0 RTF paper, 2020, 17 pgs.
• Sander III, Col. Jack W., "Reorganizing the Joint Communications Support Element to Provide More Effective Support for USTRANSCOM, the JECC and the Unified Combatant Commands," AWC PSP, 2018, 34 pgs.
• Selman, Maj. Clifford, "Can Command and Control (C2) Be Saved? Empowering the Front Lines," AF Global College thesis, 2024, 35 pgs.  
• Spader, Maj. Nicky H. "Air Force ISR in Agile Combat Employment: Turning Decision Advantage into Operational Advantage," ACSC paper (ISR Vigilance Horizons RTF), 2022, 19 pgs.
• Thomas, Maj. Jacob M., "The Military Internet of Things: Adapting Commercial Capabilities," Air Force Fellows 2021, 43 pgs.
• Tucholski, Maj. Heidi PhD, "Closing the knowledge gaps on future command and control : three implications the Air Force must consider today" ACSC - ACTS 2.0 RTF paper, 2020, 15 pgs.
• Ventullo, Capt. Chris, "JADC2 via ABMS," SOS AUAR Paper, 2020, 7 pgs.
• Vincent, Maj. Robert, USAF, "Operation Inherent Resolve: Innovating Informational Solutions During Superiority" Airpower Vistas RTF ACSC Paper, 2020, 23 pgs.
• Wallis, Maj. Alex M., "Challenging Command Seeking Control: Evaluating the USAF's Current C2 System Assumptions and Posture in the South China Sea," OLMP thesis, GCPME, 2021, 45 pgs. 
• Wallis, Alex M., "'From Wreaths to Wings': The History of Weapons Controllers and their Evolution to Air Battle Managers in the United States Air Force," SAASS thesis, 2022, 100 pgs.
•  
• Bellis, Maj. Jerome, "By, With and Through: Leveraging Allied Forces to Build Western Pacific Combat Airpower," AF Global College thesis, 2024, 58 pgs. 
• Conlon, Col. Jennie E., "The Cobbled Road to Equipping US Allies: A Look at Rotary Wing Acquisition in the Indo-Pacific," AWC Strategic Studies Paper, 2024, 30 pgs. Winner of the AWC Maj. Gen. Edward G. Lansdale International Affairs Award
• Dobre, Maj. Costinel-Viorel (ROUAF), "Integrated Deterrence: Department of the Air Force and NATO Space and Cyberspace Interoperability" AFGC thesis, 2025, 66 pgs.
  • The DAF must devote resources to integration because interoperability is the "bedrock" of integrated deterrence. Currently, the alliance is over-reliant on the United States, which provides approximately 60% of NATO's space assets and 75% of reconnaissance satellite capacity in high-risk regions. Improving integration mitigates this strategic vulnerability—which adversaries could otherwise exploit as a single point of failure—and promotes equitable burden-sharing so that collective defense does not rely entirely on American infrastructure.
• Hoagland, Lt. Col. Cody, "Regional Officers: The Keystone to Global Integrated Operations," AWC Strategic Studies Paper, 2020, 39 pgs. 
• Holston, Joel S., "Building the Neighborhood Watch: Partnered Integration of Airborne ISR for Indo-Pacific Competition," OLMP thesis, 2024, 39 pgs. 
• Kim, Lt. Col. Daniel, "Building Partner Capacity in Cyberspace to Enhance Deterrence," SAASS Thesis, 2021, 68 pgs.
• Kind, Lt. Col. Richard, "Neglecting Our Asymmetric Advantage Over China: USAF's Role in Shaping Allies and Partners," AWC Strategic Studies Paper, 2022, 23 pgs.
• McBrayer, Lt. Col. Brandon, "Organizing F-16 Squadrons to Maximize Readiness, Leadership Development and Alliances," AWC strategic Studies paper, 2020, 26 pgs. 
• Phillips, Maj. David P., and Maj. William C. Hardy, "Balancing Power: Establishing the Indo-Pacific Treaty Organization as a Political and Nuclear Alliance," ACSC thesis, 2025, 97 pgs. 
• Poindexter, Col. Eugene, "US Military Leadership and Support of AMISOM: Are We Successful?" AWC Strategic Studies Paper, 2019, 29 pgs. 
• Rummel, Maj. Joshua A., "'STRIKES ALL OVER PACIFIC!': ACE Risks Greater Destruction Throughout the Indo-Pacific," AF Fellows Paper, 2024, 2 pgs. 
  • ​Subsequently Published in Wild Blue Yonder (August 12, 2024)
• Tompkins, Lt. Col. William M., "NATO Intelligence Sharing: Lessons Learned from the Ukraine-Russian War," AWC SSP, 2025, 26 pgs. 
• Trimble, Maj. Michael M., "Asymmetric Advantage: Air Advising in a Time of Strategic Competition," Published as an AU Press LeMay Paper, 2019, 131 pgs. 
• Wang, Lt. Col. Timmy, "Black Cats: Republic of China Air Force U-2 Squadron," SAASS thesis 2025, 91 pgs. 
  • Wang answers this by demonstrating the immense reciprocal benefits and force-multiplying effects derived from the highly classified U.S.-ROCAF partnership. The U.S. devoted significant resources—such as training ROCAF pilots in Texas and supplying U-2 aircraft alongside Lockheed Martin maintenance crews—because Taiwan was willing to assume the severe operational and strategic risks of flying deep into hostile Chinese territory. This integration not only supplied the U.S. with otherwise unobtainable high-resolution imagery of Chinese nuclear facilities, but the combat flight data gathered from ROCAF encounters with SA-2 surface-to-air missiles enabled the U.S. to rapidly iterate and develop new electronic countermeasure (ECM) systems (like System 12, System 13, and Oscar Sierra) for its own fleet without risking American lives.
• Youngquist, Lt. Col. Benjamin D., "Relooking at America's Treaty and Alliance Structure in the Indo-Pacific," AWC PSP, 2021, 35 pgs.

• ---

• Dobre, Maj. Costinel-Viorel (ROUAF), "Integrated Deterrence: Department of the Air Force and NATO Space and Cyberspace Interoperability" AFGC thesis, 2025, 66 pgs.

  • Dobre highlights that obsolete data-sharing protocols and overclassification, such as "No Foreign Nationals" (NOFORN) designations, currently delay vital communications and cyber incident responses by 24 to 48 hours. To weave allied data into a shared fabric, Dobre recommends enforcing compliance with standardized systems like the Federated Mission Networking (FMN) platform and adopting secure real-time data-sharing tools. He specifically points to the success of the Five Eyes’ "Torch" system, which has reduced delays in classified information exchange by up to 50-60%.

• Harrison, Todd and Christopher Reid, "Battle Networks and the Future Force:  Part 3, The Roles of Allies and Partners," Air Force Fellows Paper (published as CSIS Brief), 2022, 9 pgs.

• Higgins, Lt. Col. Brian, "Software Factories: Equipping Combatant Commanders for the Digital Battlefield," AF Fellows paper (Atlantic Council), 2024, 3 pgs. 
• Toole, Samuel D., "How Can the DoD Bes Implement Processes and Methods for Licensing and Acquisitions of User Software by the Component Services?" AF Global College thesis, 2024, 45 pgs.