Beyond The Wild Blue-on-Blue: Leveraging Counter-Fratricide Technologies For Operational Effects

Only the coordinated energy of the entire combined/joint force will produce truly effective counter-fratricide technology, tactics, techniques, and procedures. Failure to standardize counter-fratricide Link 16 integration efforts in all combatant aircraft will lead to asymmetrical and piecemeal solutions that will strain coalitions, with harmful operational and strategic level effects.

21st century warfare has exacerbated the effects of air-to-ground fratricide.
While always tragic, contemporary blue-on-blue incidents can now have detrimental effects at the operational and even strategic levels of war. In an effort to combat fratricide using technological innovation, two key technologies stand out: Blue Force Tracker and Link 16. Using Link 16 architectural modifications, friendly positional data can be displayed in individual cockpits, revolutionizing situational awareness.

By continuing and or expanding implementation of the above technological
solutions and strict adherence to JTTPs, the combined/joint force has the potential to finally zeroize air-to-ground fratricides. It is imperative that adequate funding and priority be given to fielding this triad of innovation throughout not just the U.S., but throughout allied and coalition militaries.