Foreword

The Alliance faces a dynamic security environment that foreshadows a future battlespace more complex than ever before, requiring a new level of interoperability and joint effort. To account for this phenomenon, the Alliance identified measures to adapt within the NATO agenda 2030 and presents possibilities which will shape the future. Now more than ever, building on its experience and successes, the JAPCC decisively influences the development of NATO Joint Air and Space Power through innovative, unconstrained thinking.

The Annual Report 2021 once again documents the JAPCC’s high level of performance. It highlights last year’s key achievements while providing an outlook on projects and research the JAPCC team will engage in across the Air and Space domains in 2022.

The COVID-19 pandemic tested our Allies, Partners, and NCS resiliency. We maintained appropriate response measures, reduced travel, and attended virtual meetings to mitigate the risks. However, despite limitations, we fulfilled our mission and focused on the strategic guidance set by the Sponsoring Nations.

In 2021, we also published the study ‘Big Data Management in ISR and New Technology Trends’. It addresses the growing importance of the large data set (Big Data) collected by the Alliance, its management, and the required exploitation to maintain information superiority in operations.

Furthermore, we published the 31st and 32nd edition of the Journal of the JAPCC, our flagship product, and the white paper ‘From Ground to Exosphere – 15-Years of the Joint Air Power Competence Centre’. It presents the JAPCC’s organization, underscored its value to the Nations and NATO, and provides an extensive overview of the Centre’s achievements since its establishment in 2006.

The recently initiated long-term project ‘NATO Joint all Domain Operations’ (NATO JADO) accentuates the JAPCC’s dedication to provide NATO a strategic advantage in executing Alliance Policy & Strategy. JADO expands NATO’s Multi-Domain Operations concept (MDO). The overall goal develops achievable concepts to transition NATO capabilities from coordinated joint and operational activities to fully integrated actions across all domains in order to provide desired effects.

We held on to a well-established tradition this past year: the annual JAPCC Air and Space Conference themed ‘Delivering NATO Air and Space Power at the Speed of Relevance’. High-ranking military, industry, and academia representatives took the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas on Air and Space Power-related challenges and requirements for future joint military operations.

Looking ahead, 2022 will test and challenge us as well, and the JAPCC will continue its efforts to lead the transformation catalyst of NATO Joint Air and Space Power. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and financial contributions from our Sponsoring Nations are essential to remain viable and successful. These contributions are greatly appreciated and we aim to provide a substantial return on your investment.

This 2021 JAPCC Annual Report will highlight the key developments, projects, and research shaping Joint Air and Space Power.

I encourage each of you to review the JAPCC contributions to the Alliance and contact us with questions, feedback, or requests for support at any time.

Good Reading!

Jeffrey L. Harrigian
General, US AF
Director, JAPCC