March 15, 2017
Combatant Commands in an era of multi-domain battle
The U.S. military is currently adapting to a new era of conflict. Senior military leaders, including Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, have focused heavily on improving readiness, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work has led the charge in developing the capabilities and recruiting the personnel necessary to maintain an advantage during rapid change. The multi-domain battle concept articulates future combined arms operations. In doing so, it prepares forces for the increased jointness required to achieve effects across multiple domains, including new ones such as cyber. Doctrinal innovation also often galvanizes organizational innovation. The philosophical underpinnings of multi-domain battle should be used to design a new combatant command structure.
Advanced technology is rapidly changing the operating environment. Technology breaks down traditional barriers and extends range: cyberattacks and electronic warfare have physical impact. Previously unchallenged domains, such as air, are now vulnerable to short-range threats from the ground, as well as advanced anti-access/area denial equipment. Multi-domain battle creates opportunity in one domain using the capabilities of others, including nontraditional domains such as cyber and space. The vision has been embraced by Pacific Command Commander Adm. Harry Harris, who has sought to operationalize its interdisciplinary and creative thinking.
By coordinating cross-domain capabilities against a clearly defined problem set, Pacific Command demonstrates how the U.S. military should fight in the future. Through a mission-oriented combatant command structure, the U.S. military can apply this thinking more broadly.
Read the full article at Defense News.
More from CNAS
-
Podcast
Defense / Indo-Pacific Security
Hellscape Taiwan: Drones, Deterrence, and the Future of Asymmetric DefenseStacie Pettyjohn joined the Irregular Warfare Podcast to examine how Taiwan could deter—or potentially defeat—a Chinese invasion by transforming the Taiwan Strait into an “unm...
By Stacie Pettyjohn
-
Cubans Brace for U.S. "Invasion" as Tensions Rise
Video
Becca Wasser, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, joined CNN’s Good Morning with Audie Cornish to discuss escalating tensions between the U.S. and...
By Becca Wasser
-
I Was the Russian Commander in a War Game. This Is How I Defeated NATO.
Commentary
Deterrence depends not only on military capabilities—which are lacking—but also on what the enemy believes about your resolve....
By Franz-Stefan Gady
-
From Innovation Ecosystem to Industrial Base
Commentary
Introduction America’s defense technology boom is real. Venture-backed firms building in artificial intelligence (AI), autonomy, space, and advanced manufacturing are winning ...
By Brian Katz
