The Integration of Special Operations and Advanced Technology: An Analysis of Its Enabling Conditions and Outcomes

Special Operations (SO) has become increasingly relevant in contemporary warfare due to its ability to create strategic options and efficient use of resources for policymakers. Rapid advancements in technology from the commercial sector provide significant opportunities for military forces in modern warfare. The lack of research on integrating advanced technology with SO has limited its potential for progression, however. Therefore, this thesis aimed to explore the integration of advanced technology into SO missions to maximize their effectiveness and reduce risk. A comparative case study was conducted to analyze the integration of advanced technology with SO from three operations that employed three different actors in three different domains: Operation Olympic Games, Operation Orchard, and Operation Ocean Shield. The study found that three critical enabling conditions - purpose, integration effort, and compatibility - were necessary for successful integration. Such integration produced a positive synergistic outcome that could significantly reduce risk to forces and missions and/or increase the effectiveness of the mission. The conceptual model derived from this research could help policymakers, military commanders, and technological partners improve their decision-making processes when integrating advanced technology into SO missions.