Hanwha Systems will rebuild the core command-and-control system that oversees South Korea-U.S. combined operations. The command-and-control system consists of the facilities and equipment needed for military commanders to direct and control unit operations. Once wartime operational control (OPCON) is transferred, it is expected to become the first artificial intelligence (AI) command system for combined tactics led by the South Korean military.
Hanwha Systems said on the 22nd that it won a 93.7 billion won project, overseen by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, to develop the "combined joint command and control system (AKJCCS) performance upgrade."
AKJCCS, a core system that conducts command and control of South Korea-U.S. combined operations across the Korean Peninsula, was first fielded in 2015. However, repeated issues were raised over system operations and security, and as the need for technological advancement grew with the OPCON transfer and changes in the combined command structure, authorities decided on a full redevelopment of the system rather than a simple performance upgrade.
The upgraded AKJCCS will widely apply the latest ICT technologies, including: ▲ AI-based situational analysis and automated decision-making support ▲ cloud-based server deployment ▲ desktop virtualization (VDI).
In particular, this project is the first domestic case of applying AI to a command-and-control system. A Hanwha Systems official said, "AI will quickly collect and process the massive data generated on the battlefield, significantly shortening operators' task execution time," adding, "From information analysis to planning, AI-based intelligent services will be provided throughout the command decision-making process to support more accurate judgments by commanders."
Hanwha Systems also plans to strengthen the command-and-control system's information security capabilities. Because various communications and data integration are central to defense command-and-control systems, security is paramount. Hanwha Systems said it will proceed with development based on its experience executing defense-specialized AI projects, including the "AI-based intelligent command decision support system."