Marine Corps Warfighting Lab - Core

Abstract

Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) examines lessons learned from current operations, explores emerging threats and opportunities, and explores Joint and emerging service concepts through concept-based experimentation in order to enhance current and future warfighting capabilities. The use of modeling and simulation (M&S), both conducted within Service wargaming and virtual experiment venues (conducted in partnership with the Navy and Joint Forces Command (JFCOM)), will provide both a necessary Joint context for the Marine Corps Expeditionary Force Development System process as well as the opportunity to explore the implications of proposed future programs on seabased power projection capabilities. "Live experimentation" permits exploration of prototype and surrogate technologies, as well as Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), in order to better refine equipment requirements and to identify Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership, Personnel, and Facilities (DOTMLPF) initiatives needed to produce future capabilities. Experimentation encompasses inquiries into multiple warfighting areas, including: Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4); Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR); Fires, Targeting, and Maneuver; Combat Service Support (CSS) and Force Protection; and Warfighting Excellence. Using operational forces, MCWL conducts Advanced Warfighting Experiments (AWEs) supported by Limited Objective Experiments (LOEs), Limited Technical Assessments (LTAs), Wargames, and Studies. AWEs, LOEs, and LTAs examine discrete variables in as much isolation as can be achieved. Technologies assessed in LTAs are incorporated in LOEs while LOEs are building blocks from which resulting AWE-level campaigns are constructed. These campaigns (e.g., the Sea Viking (SV) experimentation series) are executed under the guidance of the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) and in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Requirements List (MRL). The following provides an overview of MCWL experimentation: - The Enhanced Company Operations (ECO) experiment series represents a major evolution in Marine infantry company operations. In the extended battlespace encountered in current and future operations, companies are required to execute functions normally conducted at battalion level and higher. ECO seeks to investigate structure, TTPs, training and equipment that will enable companies to effectively conduct full spectrum combat operations across an extended battlespace. ECO also seeks to use computer based simulation systems to expand the training opportunities and mission rehearsal capabilities. - MCWL experimentation in FY 2010 and beyond will continue to address the broad challenges of seabased expeditionary warfare focused on the tactical levels. Specific areas of interest are reflected in the projects listed below which deal with outcomes impacting today's Marine Corps, the next Marine Corps, and Marine Corps after next. In FY 2011, MCWL experimentation will initiate an examination of Enhanced MAGTF Operations (EMO) that fully exploit capabilities achieved in ECO experimentation to the greater MAGTF beyond the infantry company focus of the past in the areas of C4, ISR, CSS, Fires, Targeting, and Maneuver. Additionally, FY 2011 investments will continue to support the immediate needs of deployed forces and exploit opportunities presented by emerging technologies.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2011
• Source ID: 2297_0603640M_3_1319_PB_2011

Tags

Readers

• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
• Military Training and Readiness Simulation

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control