U.S. Army May Need to Redefine the Elements of Operational Art for Future Warfare

Abstract

The United States considers China a peer threat and in the event of war with China, the United States would likely conduct large-scale combat operations (LSCO) to achieve national objectives. However, China does not conceptualize warfare in the form of LSCO. Instead, they pursue systems destruction warfare (SDW). The conduct of LSCO against China's SDW may reveal challenges in achieving the desired tempo, and forcing China to culminate. Additionally, LSCO against SDW may reveal that the US Army has to potentially shift its assessment of operational risk from a focus on land operations to one of systems operation. Tempo, culmination, and risk are three of the ten elements of operational used to assess the challenges of LSCO against SDW. However they also provide a precursor for the US Army to redefine elements of operational art for future warfare.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 27, 2021
Accession Number
AD1160613

Entities

People

  • Leroy A. Alveranga

Organizations

  • School of Advanced Military Studies

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

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  • Artificial Intelligence
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  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Doctrine
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  • International Organizations
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  • National Politics
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  • Recreation
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies