IO Range
Abstract
The National Military Strategy of the United States stresses the importance of integrating Information Operations (IO) capabilities for the success of Joint Operations and Decision Superiority. The Defensewide IO Review revalidated a requirement for an integrated range supporting “exercises, testing, and development of IO capabilities.” Further direction by Office Secretary of Defense (OSD) identified the need for an “integrated IO test and evaluation capability to assess IO technologies and tactics in a representative operational environment against realistic targets.” The 2006 National Security Strategy identifies "Strengthen Alliances to Defeat Global Terrorism and Work to Prevent Attacks Against Us and Our Friends", which involves signification Information Operations, as a goal. Repeatedly COCOMs in their Integrated Priority Lists and the Defense Planning Guidance (DPG) state the need to expand IO training and education for the developing cadre of IO professionals and provide an environment for analysis, testing, training, combat assessments, and measures of effectiveness for more reliable IO capabilities. Deputy Secretary of Defense Memorandum on the IO Range established the requirement for creating a cooperative information operations range among military services under the leadership of U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM). The IO Range establishes a secure, flexible, and seamless environment for the Services and Joint warfighters to test, train, develop tactics, and exercise selected IO capabilities. The basis of the functional structure of the IO Range is the integration of existing ranges, laboratories, information warfare centers, and other Government facilities that currently support IO test, training, exercise, and experimentation events. Capabilities at the selected sites will be securely connected and integrated into the IO Range. A key feature of this concept is the persistent, secure connection that links the sites together, allowing the exchange of data and the visualization of effects as we employ capabilities. Creation of a “virtual range” based on persistent connections significantly reduces the amount of lead-time required to set up each new warfighter event. The long-term goal for the IO Range is to be a full spectrum IO Range comprising: operational security, computer network operations, electronic warfare, psychological operations, and military deception. This environment enables the COCOM’s warfighters to visualize non-kinetic weapons effects, understand the intricate and interactive effects generated by kinetic and non-kinetic weapons and achieve the same level of confidence and expertise in employing IO weapons as they have with kinetic weapons.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 002_0303166D8Z_6_0400_PB_2011
Related Documents
- Root: Support to Information Operations Capability
- Child Accomplishment: IO Range