Digital Transformation in Modern Military Operations

Insights from General Bob Brown

General Bob Brown discusses the need for advanced technology to make quick, informed decisions, and the significance of collaboration with allies and partners.

In today’s fast-changing digital era, modern military operations are going through a significant digital transformation. Guest host AT Ball and General Bob Brown, President of AUSA (Association of the United States Army) explore the critical role of digital technologies in contemporary military strategies. With an abundance of information and data available today, their discussion revolves around the imperative of harnessing advanced technology to enable swift and well-informed decisions. Moreover, they highlight the pivotal aspect of fostering collaboration with allies, partners, and the Defense Industrial Base to attain interoperability and fortify security measures.

General Brown serves as the President of AUSA (Association of the United States Army). With a distinguished military career, he is an experienced commander who has led at every level, from platoon through Army Service Component Command.  Serving as Commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific, General Brown led the Army’s largest service component command responsible for 106,000 Soldiers across the Indo-Pacific Region before his September 2019 retirement.

AUSA’s mission revolves around educating, informing, and connecting the nation with the Army. General Brown’s role as the President of AUSA offers him a unique opportunity to support the soldiers and families he’s dedicated his career to serving as well as providing invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of modern military operations and the critical role of digital technologies.

The conversation follows the AUSA’s yearly conference and exhibition, where military leaders, defense industry partners, government officials, and academic experts convened to discuss both present and future challenges and opportunities. General Brown explains, “You can see more in an afternoon at the annual meeting of the Association of the United States Army than if you traveled for two years. We had 92 countries there, 20 Chiefs of Army from other countries, and just an amazing turnout.”

From data overload to tactical insight

In a world saturated with information from myriad sources, military leaders grapple with the dual challenge of making well-informed decisions swiftly. General Brown shares his experiences from the early stages of the Army’s digital transformation, emphasizing that we “went from the fog of war being not enough information to the fog of war being too much information.” He goes on to say that, in the limited time frame of wartime decision-making, military leaders are faced with sifting through extensive volumes of data. However, technology now equips them with the means to effectively navigate through the vast amount of information, rendering it an indispensable tool for well-informed decision-making.

Additionally, General Brown notes a shift in the origin of ideas and innovations. Traditionally, ideas emerged from the Department of Defense and were adopted by businesses. However, the current landscape has reversed this dynamic, with innovative ideas predominantly originating in the business world and evolving rapidly. Consequently, the Department of Defense must be adept at assimilating and adopting these ideas from the business sector and the Defense Industrial Base.

Leveraging cutting-edge technology

Keeping up with technology is essential for modern military operations. While people remain crucial, technology like artificial intelligence and machine learning is vital. The challenge is to find cost-effective solutions, such as cloud-based systems, and ensure their security. The ability to make rapid decisions is key for deterrence and success in any potential conflict.

General Brown goes on to describe the necessity of technology in a joint task force scenario in the Indo-Pacific region. He highlights the changing dynamics of warfare, with all domains (land, sea, air, cyber, and space) coming into play. Leveraging technology across all domains helps identify weaknesses in the adversary’s system, allowing persistent presence and the creation of scenarios where the enemy can be defeated. Space’s significant role, affecting various domains through data and GPS, is also highlighted. The use of hyperscale cloud technology is crucial for quick decision-making and security in this multi-domain environment. General Brown explains “It takes all domains, air, land, sea, cyber and space, effectively working together. I don’t see how you can do that without the hyperscale cloud, and without the technology you’re discussing that can help you sort through all that information and quickly make decisions in a secure environment.”

One of the crucial takeaways from the interview was the changing expectations for the military. Today’s military leaders, already accustomed to using digital tools in their daily lives, place a higher demand on the military to adopt and utilize these technologies during operations. General Brown discusses the need to adapt to the learning preferences of the current generation. He emphasizes the importance of providing digital tools and leveraging technology to enhance education, highlighting the shift from traditional, linear systems to more dynamic and digitally integrated approaches.

General Brown discusses the use of IVAS as an example of moving forward the ability of soldiers to be able to train and operate effectively, with the potential to replicate the value that aviators find from training for recovery drills in a simulator. IVAS uses HoloLens’ mixed-reality technology plus thermal imagery, sensors, GPS technology and night vision capabilities to improve soldiers’ situational awareness and give them critical information to help plan, train and carry out missions. The device enables soldiers to see where they are and what’s around them by projecting holographic images, three-dimensional terrain maps and navigational aids onto their field of vision.

Collaboration and cooperation

General Brown highlights the critical value of technology in achieving interoperability among regional allies and partners. He emphasizes the importance of including and not leaving them behind in defense efforts. The discussion includes the role of mission partner environments in the hyperscale cloud, along with security protocols for data sharing between allies and partners. The conversation covers people-to-people interoperability, technical interoperability, and policy aspects of interoperability. General Brown mentions past shortcomings in providing secure access to allies and partners but notes significant improvements.

He also underscores the role of the Defense Industrial Base in enhancing security, rapid information sharing, and interoperability, which ultimately contributes to deterring potential threats. “We’ve really relied on our Defense Industrial Base, to help us develop ways to be more secure, and rapidly in a safe way, to be more interoperable. It’s critical, and it’s a huge advantage.”

Additionally, the Defense Industrial Base plays a pivotal role in providing innovative solutions to the military. General Brown concludes that “it does take a strong military and a strong Army. But that strong Army requires close collaboration with the defense industry, and again, the ideas come from the defense industry now, so the government has to be able to take those ideas in a more rapid fashion and leverage them to help save lives and deter those that would do us harm.

To find out more:

• Learn more Microsoft for Defense and Intelligence
• Find out more about AUSA’s Annual Meeting and Exposition

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