MEDICAL, MILITARY & INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS Decision-making at the speed of relevance:
The OODA loop in modern defence systems The OODA loop is a fundamental framework for accelerating high-stakes decision-making. John Breitenbach, director aerospace and defence markets, RTI examines the forces requiring an evolved OODA loop
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hreats are evolving rapidly, adversaries are leveraging technological advancements to develop hypersonic missiles that can now travel faster than Mach 5, meaning traditional response strategies the growing risk of autonomous drones and loitering munitions operating in swarms. These new technologies are increasingly paired with conventional weapons like rockets and missiles. The goal is to overwhelm defences with affordable mass.
To stay ahead, defensive systems must act at machine speed, leveraging real- time intelligence, AI-driven analytics and automation to rapidly detect, assess and neutralise threats. This requires a shift away from traditional, linear decision-making processes involving humans in the loop, to adaptive, automated responses that can conditions in real time.
The four components of the OODA loop
The OODA loop is a process consisting of four critical stages that facilitate swift tactical responses: Observe, Orient, Decide and Act. Each phase of the OODA loop plays a key role in enabling rapid, coordinated and effective defence operations. Each stage will have to change in the near future to counter the increased volume, velocity and variety of modern threats. Observe: In this new era of threats, we need new sensors and the ability to connect them to the OODA loop. The sensors we use must adapt to different environments, such
small FPVs vs. long-range missiles. We need and remove sensors as needed to constantly upgrade capabilities. For effective Counter- reliable, real-time data from such sources including radar systems, land tactical radios, Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) systems, EW systems and acoustic sensors. The ability to synchronise and process this information in real time ensures that decision-makers have an accurate and immediate picture of the battlespace. Orient: In an operational setting, threats are detected and then rapidly analysed, every millisecond matters. AI systems fuse data from multiple sensors to create a full picture, this allows defensive platforms to prioritise threats based on trajectory, intent, available countermeasures, and magazine depth. Foe (IFF), allied combat systems and public data sources such as Automatic Dependent enhances the common operational picture. This step is crucial in reducing cognitive overload for operators and ensuring that decision-making processes are streamlined and accurate. Decide: This step involves developing and of action. As threats increase in speed and volume, decision timelines shrink, making AI and machine learning essential. Defensive systems must rapidly determine which threats require immediate action and which can be monitored. At lower threat volumes, humans may still be involved, with the space to choose between a few possible options presented by these decisions will be made by AI and ML algorithms. In the case of hypersonic and maneuvering missile threats, reaction time is measured in seconds. This is where AI-driven automation plays a critical role in ensuring that countermeasures are deployed instantly and effectively. Act: The last step of the OODA loop countermeasures. Defensive actions must be rapid and coordinated, whether intercepting a
missile or deploying directed energy weapons against drone swarms. Keeping track of the target and maintaining effect will also require real-time data. Real-time data can help time window for taking a shot is narrow.
Evolving the OODA loop with RTI Connext
A data-centric architecture enables real time, 24/7 access to OODA loop data from different sources. And, data centricity is the principle delivers the framework teams need to keep pace with today’s accelerated OODA loop evolution.
Making successful decisions at the speed of relevance requires a data-centric systems to adapt in real time, integrate seamlessly across domains, and leverage automation and AI to maintain a strategic air defence networks become increasingly and AI-enhanced decision-making is greater than ever.
and the ability to observe, orient and act decisively. RTI has a proven track record of powering mission critical systems such as committed to advancing the capabilities for a decisive advantage in defense environments. support and enhance the OODA loop, thereby strategy framework.
JUNE 2025 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS 29
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