We need to speed up the innovation loop for Defence

Private Davis from 2-502 Infantry Regiment, 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) poses for a picture against the night sky after air assaulting into the Joint Regional Training Center (JRTC) at Ft. Johnson, LA as part of a large scale, long range air assault (L2A2) that the 101st launched from Ft. Campbell, KY to JRTC on the night of August 16, 2024. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Joyner).

DefenseScoop has a great read on the way that the US Army is looking to test and learn via Joint Readiness Training Centre (JRTC) rotations.

Think Combat Training Centre Battle Group Warfighter in an Australian context.

“lessons from the war in Ukraine have demonstrated that the constant

action-counteraction between both sides means forces must be more

adaptable in contact with the enemy to innovate, especially given the

rate of development of commercial technology”

The US Army is using a ‘transforming in contact’ concept – where units on deployment and in JRTC rotations are issued the latest equipment to test and employ. The Opposition Force for JRTC rotations also takes the opportunity to test and try novel tactics, techniques and procedures.

This approach aligns to the Boyd OODA loop concept – Observe, Orient, Decide and Act – where the aim is to seize and maintain momentum in the battle through a faster decision making cycle.

An OODA loop for capability, where speed to decision and responsiveness to battlefield lessons are prioritised would be a great way to be future ready.

Linked article below.

Army puts its ‘transforming in contact’ concept to biggest test yet

2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division put new technologies and concepts to the test in the most realistic battlefield scenario the Army has.