C2 Self-Synchronisation and Swarming

1. C2 Self-Synchronisation and Swarming J Miles June 2008

2. Contents • Discussion regarding alternative forms of synchronisation • Characteristics of swarming • Historical examples of swarming behaviour • The appropriateness of self-synchronisation and swarming behaviour in the context of the maritime environment

3. Alternative forms of synchronisation • Hierarchical • Mutual • Self or or or

4. Key Key Info Pull Info Pull Feedback Feedback b b Synchronising Synchronising activity activity Higher c c c Authority Entity status Entity status Entity status Entity status supervision supervision Higher a a Authority Entity status Entity status Entity status Entity X Entity X Entity X Entity Y Entity Y Entity Y Entity Y Entity Y Entity Y Entity Y Entity Y Synchronisation point Synchronisation point Synchronisation point Synchronisation point Synchronisation point Synchronisation point Synchronisation point Synchronisation point

5. Higher Higher Authority Authority 2 1 Mutual Synchronisation Mutual Synchronisation Higher Higher Higher Higher Authority Authority Authority Authority Entity status Entity status Entity status Entity status Entity status Entity status Entity status Entity status Entity Y Entity Y Entity X Entity X Entity X Entity X Entity Y Entity Y Synchronisation point Synchronisation point Synchronisation point Synchronisation point

6. + + Control Control - - Hierarchical Hierarchical Hierarchical Self Self Self Swarming Swarming Swarming Uncoordinated Uncoordinated Uncoordinated Mutual Mutual Mutual - - - peer peer peer – – – – Chaos Chaos synchronisation synchronisation synchronisation synchronisation synchronisation synchronisation behaviour behaviour behaviour activity activity activity synchronisation synchronisation synchronisation Synchronisation process Synchronisation process + + Coordination Coordination Direct Direct Indirect Indirect - - Hierarchical Hierarchical Hierarchical Self Self Self Swarming Swarming Swarming Uncoordinated Uncoordinated Uncoordinated Mutual Mutual Mutual - - - peer peer peer – – – – Chaos Chaos synchronisation synchronisation synchronisation synchronisation synchronisation synchronisation behaviour behaviour behaviour activity activity activity synchronisation synchronisation synchronisation Synchronisation process Synchronisation process

7. Swarming • An extreme form of self-synchronisation • "The systematic pulsing of force and / or fire by dispersed networked units, so as to strike the adversary from all directions simultaneously.” 1 • The 'emergence' of macro-behaviour - based on the totality of self-synchronised micro-behaviour. 1 (Arquilla, Ronfeldt, Swarming and the future of conflict, RAND Corporation 2000)

8. Swarming Characteristics • A number (usually many) of low-level components with specialised functions; • multistability – flexible agile capability through clustering of function; • Bifurcation – rapid change of function • Coordination achieved through indirect interaction – very localised SA; • Survival of the collective takes precedence over individual components.

9. Military swarming • Massed Swarm, implies a convergent attack as a primary manoeuvre • Convergent attack • Encircling and surrounding an adversary • cuts off the adversary’s lines of supply • destroys morale • prevents any possible retreat

10. Examples of swarming behaviour • Battle of the Atlantic – U Boat “Wolf Pack” operations (1939–1945) • RN Coastal Defence Force (1939-45) • Battle of the Pacific, kamikaze air attacks (1944-45) • FIAC swarms (present day) • Other applications e.g. social swarming

11. Appropriateness of swarming behaviour in Military Operations • behaviour cannot be controlled, only influenced through prior communication of Command Intent and ROE. • non-linear process – very short-term prediction of behaviour • Large numbers of platforms

13. 1 1 2 2 50m 50m … … 36 36 2m 2m Etc. Etc. 300m 300m

14. Constraints • Small platforms not “ocean-going” • Transport assistance from larger platforms • Sustainment requirements: • sufficient crew numbers for the force to operate 24/7; • Maintenance 24/7; • Therefore difficult to achieve sufficient numbers of maritime swarm components in the zone of operations

15. Conclusions • Much NCW / NEC literature / discussion is phrased as though this is a blank canvas and self-synchronisation is a new concept. This is not the case. • The swarming concept needs to accept : • large numbers of units • less direct control of the self-synchronising / swarming force • less detailed plans • self-synchronising / swarming SA is different from conventional SA • difficult to see how a future maritime force could apply offensive swarming in expeditionary operations • if maritime aircraft and UXVs were to be included in the force then the potential for swarming operations increases.

16. Questions