NATO is currently conducting its biggest joint military exercise, Dynamic Front, which includes more than 1800 U.S. and 3700 multinational military servicemen from over 28 allied countries and partners. As part of the Dynamic Front 25 Series, the NATO Artillery Units recently showcased a demonstration of unparalleled coordination as they engaged in an artillery warfare exercise, Lightning Strike 24 (LS24). The event took place near the Arctic Circle, in the biting cold, just 100 kilometers away from the Russian border. The entire exercise, which concluded under the guidance of Finnish forward observers, marks a significant chapter in the coordinated interoperability of NATO’s artillery installations.
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NATO’s Largest Artillery-focused Integration Exercise To Enhance Multinational Artillery Interoperability
The joint military exercise was conducted in Lapland, the northernmost region of Finland, with a clear objective, which is to ensure and enhance multinational artillery interoperability. Headed by Finnish Col. Janne Mäkitalo, Exercise Lightning Strike 24, is the biggest the European continent has seen with more than 28 participating countries and partners, featuring 130 distinct artillery systems and sufficient munitions.
Streamlining and refining the entire process from target identification to fire delivery was the key objective of the exercise, which was aided by Forward observers who simulated enemy positions and transmitted said information digitally to NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, or ARCC. Subsequently, it was ARCC that decided which artillery system would be the most efficient at handling the marked targets, prioritizing an effective, yet rapid engagement. The focus of the exercise was on achieving the best tactical advantage. As the British Col. Alex Forbes observed and remarked:
“When we speak of deciding of the best platform – whether it is Swedish, British, or French – the decision is not based upon the national unit [per say], it is based upon how we can get the best effect on the ground,” Forbes emphasized.
ASCA And Modern Warfare
The key component in the success of the Lightning Strike 24 seems to be the Artillery Systems Cooperation Activities (ASCA) software. It was first developed in the 80s and has been improved continuously over the years. ASCA serves as the digital lingua franca for NATO artillery systems. Relying on encrypted communications, ASCA facilitates seamless coordination between allied nations.
This makes ASCA crucial for warfare, especially in the current scenario where Europe might have to face potential hostilities from Russia, as a result of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The software’s ability to share data in real-time, while nullifying language barriers, is critical for any multinational alliance, such as NATO.
Strategic Training for Complex Battlefield Scenarios
During the joint military exercise, simulated adversaries were confined to “kill boxes” and were targeted for neutralization. As explained by U.S. Maj. Nicholas Chopp, deputy media chief for U.S. Army Europe and Africa, artillery units supported infantry forces by “amassing multinational fires.”
Exercise Lightning Strike 24 also showcased advanced military technologies, such as UAVs for fire missions and reconnaissance and F-18 Hornet fighter jets for air support. This only underscored NATO’s emphasis on leveraging state-of-the-art military systems to achieve operational effectiveness.
Addressing Ammunition Constraints
Although there were reports of ammunition shortage in some European nations, officials reassured that it didn’t affect Exercise Lightning Strike 24 as the 155mm shells were supplied by Finland and the U.S. to mitigate any concerns. Despite this, Brig. Gen. Lendroit accepts that current ammunition stock levels can be a concern for several NATO countries.
“Efficient target acquisition and optimal ammunition use are essential to minimize consumption while maximizing impact,” Lendroit further explained how the joint military exercise can work around this and ensure effective use of ammunition.
Pivotal To Countering Russian Artillery Dominance
U.S. Maj. Gen. Rafferty, commander of the 56th Artillery Regiment, underscored the strategic lessons NATO has learned from the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict. He noted that Russia’s strategy revolves around deploying long-range artillery under the cover of advanced air support.
“To counter such capabilities, NATO must maintain its edge as a cohesive multinational artillery force,” Rafferty commented. Artillery interoperability, supported by rapid and accurate fire, is central to NATO’s strategy.
