Systematic supports international JEF exercise

A British-led defence alliance has used Systematic’s unrivalled battle management software to enable the command and control of a two-week multi-national exercise.

The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) consists of 10 nations who recently participated in Exercise Joint Protector in Denmark which focused on the planning and coordination of operations.

The UK Standing Force Joint Headquarters (SJFHQ) formed the framework for the exercise and used SitaWare Headquarters to provide that crucial situational awareness for all participants.

Consisting of nearly 500 personnel – 400 of which were British – JEF nations comprise Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and the Netherlands.

Systematic also sent personnel from its technical support team, ensuring that any questions from SJFHQ could be dealt with immediately for the exercise to run smoothly.

Multi-domain battle management

Captain Matt Boulind RN, Assistant Chief of Staff Operations for SJFHQ, said: “We were extremely pleased with the support provided by Systematic. This is the second time SJFHQ has used SitaWare Headquarters as part of a JEF exercise and we find it to be an invaluable command and control tool. This is a real leap forward for us in terms of interoperable and multi-domain battle management.”

SitaWare Headquarters provides a seamless, integrated C4ISR* system for all levels of command, allowing the sharing of a Common Operational Picture (COP) and coordination of plans and orders across both co-located and deployed forces.

It is in use by six defence forces of the 10 JEF nations and, provides the ability to exchange information across national forces, enabling true alliance partnerships. As it is built on an open architecture it allows for customised extensions and integration with legacy and third-party systems to increase the operational flexibility.

Operationally proven

Standing Joint Force Headquarters (SJFHQ) is the United Kingdom's deployable joint headquarters which is on a five-day readiness. SJFHQ has been given responsibility for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF), both of which are concepts where the UK collaborates with international partners.

Lieutenant Colonel Lars Bossen is Denmark's liaison officer in JEF and is stationed at SJFHQ in the UK. He said: “For SJFHQ, it is extremely important to train with the JEF nations. Such exercises provide SJFHQ with invaluable experience and input for the further development of the JEF.

“Joint Protector provides both an opportunity to train SJFHQ's ability to deploy and establish a forward joint headquarters, and at the same time it allows the permanent staff and personnel contributions from the JEF nations to train the procedures essential to the effectiveness of the JEF.”

JEF nations have a common commitment to democracy, security and stability, with a geographical focus on the Baltic Sea region, the High North and the North Atlantic.

*C4ISR: Command, Control, Communications, Computers (C4) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance

NB: All images to be credited to Crown Copyright