Accession Number:

ADA463702

Title:

Operational Art for Space Control: Do the Principles of War Apply

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

NAVAL WAR COLL NEWPORT RI JOINT MILITARY OPERATIONS DEPT

Personal Author(s):

• Tromba, George E.

Report Date:

2006-02-13

Pagination or Media Count:

24.0

Abstract:

The technology of war has changed and joint force commanders must be prepared to fight symmetric and asymmetric threats. Within this context, the US has committed to developingfielding space control weapon systems. This presents a new challenge for the commander how to employ a key component of operational art, the principles of war, to best create and execute effective and integrated space control courses of action and Strategy. DESERT SHIELD demonstrated the need for a thought-out and documented concept of employment derived from sound operational art prior to hostilities. Armed with capable systems but lacking key OPART components, it took USCoalition forces over six minutes to disseminate detectionwarning of the first Iraqi Scud launch. Had a matured and documented OPART been developed using the principles the time line would not have taken six minutes. All principles of war are applicable to space control operations. However, the principles of objective, offensive, and security serve as an optimal rallying point from which to create space control schema. Proponents of emerging concepts contend the principles are no longer valid, and in some cases applying the principles to space control may prove counterproductive to overarching objectives. The world has changed however the principles are still valid and effective in crafting space control COAs if considered within context of overarching objectives. Given the impending fieldingemployment of space control weapon systems we must take time now to craft and document applicable OPART methods to ensure effective integration and employment of these capabilities.

Descriptors:

• *MILITARY OPERATIONS
• *WARFARE
• *JOINT MILITARY ACTIVITIES
• *SPACE ENVIRONMENTS
• *MILITARY COMMANDERS
• IRAQ
• WEAPON SYSTEMS
• ASYMMETRY
• SPACE MISSIONS
• ANTISATELLITE DEFENSE SYSTEMS
• SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
• MILITARY CAPABILITIES
• SYMMETRY
• VULNERABILITY
• THREATS
• KUWAIT
• DETECTION

Subject Categories:

• Antisatellite Defense Systems
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics
• Miscellaneous Detection and Detectors

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE