Navigating the Future of Military Platforms: A Shift Toward Flexible, Networked Solutions
For decades, military investments have been focused on high-tech platforms—massive naval ships, fighter jets, and tanks—designed to confront the evolving threats posed by state actors.
The Royal Navy and other western navies have a pedigree of focusing on platforms and platform numbers to deliver military effect. But in today’s digital age, the pace of technological advancement is so rapid that the choice of platform itself has become secondary to one key consideration: what sensors and effects will be needed for future battlespaces? This shift is beginning to redefine how military forces must adapt to modern threats.
With fluctuating resources available for defence and security, it’s no longer feasible to continue investing in expensive, long-lasting platforms that may be outdated before their 40-year lifecycle ends. Instead, the military can pivot toward more agile, networked systems that can quickly evolve in response to new challenges. This means the focus should be on the mission system, which will provide scalable upgrades and flexible solutions without being tied to a specific platform.
The future of military strategy will be network-centric and technology-driven. In this new paradigm, the platform itself—whether it’s a workboat, fishing vessel, leisure craft, or even a manned or unmanned autonomous vessel—becomes just a node in a larger, interconnected system. These vessels of opportunity could be deployed and adapted depending on the situation, providing a level of versatility and flexibility that traditional high-tech platforms simply can’t match. What’s critical is not the platform itself, but the sensors and effects they carry.
A powerful example of this emerging flexibility can be found in the maritime domain. Consider the U.S. Navy's SPY-6 radar with radar modular assemblies (RMA), which can stack together to fit the mission requirements of the force, making it adaptable to various platforms. The notion of "platform-agnostic" systems is becoming increasingly relevant, as the force can now leverage the most appropriate sensor for the mission, regardless of the platform it's deployed on. The core value here is that flexibility is not just about swapping out platforms but also about providing adaptable capabilities that allow for rapid reconfiguration. This approach mirrors the shift toward more networked, flexible systems across all military domains.
As with the SPY-6 radar, other systems like the MK41 launcher demonstrate how the integration of flexible mission systems enhances overall operational capability. The MK41 is fixed to the platform, but its versatility in delivering various effects provides a significant leap forward in enabling force connectivity and adaptability.
The shift toward flexible mission systems means that the focus will be on the "any sensor – any shooter" concept as described in the UK MoD's Future Air and Multi-Domain Dominance (FADS) initiative. This concept emphasises the ability to pair the right sensor with the right effect, backed by high-speed automated Force Threat Evaluation and Weapon Allocation (FTEWA). This approach guarantees that forces can respond rapidly and accurately to emerging threats, regardless of the platform in use. The MK41’s versatility also future proofs any Integrated Air and Missile Defence requirements as it allows for exquisite capabilities like the Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) and Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) to be deployed - in the future - when it is deemed necessary to match the threat.
This shift is already taking shape. Take, for example, the mine countermeasure (MCM) capability. Today’s MCM tools prioritise effects-based capabilities and sensors, offering a flexible toolkit that includes towed sonar, neutralisers, and other existing mission tools. These systems can be deployed on various platforms and seamlessly integrated into the larger network for detection, classification, and neutralisation. The beauty of this approach is that the sensor or effect isn’t reliant on any platform, allowing for greater flexibility in both deployment and operational effectiveness.
This concept of adaptable mission systems is embodied in the "Protean Force," outlined in the Royal Navy Maritime Operating Concept of 2022. The "Protean Force" embraces the idea of platforms that can change roles and shift forms depending on the mission at hand. This adaptability is essential in today’s fast-paced, unpredictable environment, where threats can emerge and evolve rapidly.
One of the biggest technological drivers behind this transformation is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). As these technologies continue to mature, the military will find that their greatest advantage lies not in the steel of traditional platforms, but in the data that powers them. AI and ML can dramatically enhance the ability to analyse vast amounts of data in real time, enabling faster decision-making, more precise targeting, and greater operational efficiency.
Accurately analysing vast quantities of information and identifying actionable, high-quality target data early on allows for the best-fit shooter to be assigned to each threat, whether it’s lasers for drones, surface-to-air missiles for ballistic missiles, or other countermeasures. This precision is essential to shifting the cost curve in the IAMD battle, enabling a more cost-effective and adaptable defence strategy. Flexibility and speed will become the defining factors of success, and investment will naturally shift from costly, long-lived platforms to more nimble, data-driven solutions.
The implications for military strategy are profound. As technology continues to evolve, the future of defence will be marked by adaptability, agility, and constant innovation. Platforms will no longer be the focus; instead, the mission system—supported by an integrated network of sensors, effects, and data—will be the key to success on the modern battlefield. By embracing this new approach, the military will be better equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s battlespace—whatever form it may take.
In this new era, flexibility is the ultimate force multiplier. The transition from traditional, monolithic platforms to agile, networked systems will not only enable faster adaptation to changing threats but also make the most of the limited resources available for defence. The future of military operations is already here—it's time to embrace it.