Antiaccess / Area-Denial: Old Concepts, New Frontiers

Antiaccess area-denial A2AD tactics are elements of warfare with long histories of use. Understanding the magnitude of the modern A2AD threat requires knowledge of the evolution of A2AD effects. Since WWII, a modern concept of A2AD has evolved along lines of speed, range, and lethality. Case studies of the Maginot Line in WWII, the 1973 Israeli-Egyptian October War, and a hypothetical conflict involving modern-day China and the United States illustrate the evolution of A2AD actions and show the impact of A2AD effects on the overall character of campaigns. Concepts of operational reach, intelligence, and battlespace are critical to informing A2AD and counter-A2AD approaches. Although A2AD is not a revolution in military affairs, it does inform the expected evolution of warfares character where feasible, conventional warfare will include A2AD approaches. Without a deeper shared understanding of the A2AD concept, the military faces significant difficulty overcoming the threat it poses.