Integrated Non-kinetic Operations: The Frontier of Warfare in Search of Doctrine

Abstract

Cyberspace and space operations are fast becoming a highly valued strategic commodity. In a world of rapidly changing warfare, it is to the advantage of the United States to enhance the efficacy of non-kinetic operations. Updating non-kinetic doctrine through clarified authorities, improved processes, and increased operational expertise must be brought to the forefront of doctrinal attention. Findings within this research indicate several conclusive results. First, non-kinetic operations will continue to grow in scope and importance as both friendly and adversary warfare dependence on space and cybernetic operations increase. Second, as with any instrument of warfare, updated doctrine must accommodate non-kinetic operations to ensure efficient execution. Such doctrinal changes must reflect strategic and operational needs of United States warfare as they fluctuate with the adversary's use of cyberspace capabilities. Third, proper authorities for command and control purposes must be consistently and clearly communicated from the joint community across the combatant commands. In addressing these concerns, suggestions for authority issues with legal consequences for targeting adversary nets in the domestic realm will be offered and a recommendation for increased expertise in the area of non-kinetic operations will be proposed. Specifically the United States Air Force must establish an aggressive system to develop senior leaders with combined space and cyber operational experience to ensure strategic effectiveness of future non-kinetic warfare.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2010
Accession Number
AD1019178

Entities

People

  • Ericka R. Flanigan

Organizations

  • Air University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Cyber
  • Electronic Warfare
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Cyber Warfare
  • Cyberattacks
  • Cyberspace Operations
  • Employment
  • Information Operations
  • Information Warfare
  • Joint Military Activities
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Mobile Phones
  • National Security
  • Surveillance
  • United States Strategic Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.

Technology Areas

  • Cyber
  • Cyber - Legality in Cyberspace
  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
  • Space