A new analysis warns that the U.S. military faces growing risks from allowing defense contractors to define how it perceives and understands battlefield conditions. The concern centers on the military's increasing reliance on contractor-provided systems and analytics for situational awareness and decision-making support.
The strategic implications of this contractor dependence could fundamentally alter military command and control structures. If contractors control the flow and interpretation of battlefield information, military leaders may lose critical autonomy in tactical and strategic decision-making, potentially compromising operational effectiveness and national security.