Self-Sustaining Warriors in EABO

Abstract

The emergence and proliferation of anti-access / area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities in the INDOPACOM AOR led some in the US naval force to question the effectiveness of the force's current capabilities and concepts to counter the threat in this region. The US Navy and Marine Corps recently developed several nested doctrines to mitigate the A2/AD threat, namely distributed maritime operations (DMO), littoraloperations in a contested environment (LOCE), and expeditionary advanced base operations (EABO). EABO maintains that an inside force, composed of small units armed with sensors and a strike capability, will enable a friendly outside force's maneuverability and enhance the naval fleet's overall sea denial capability. By necessity, the inside force must be small, distributed, capable, mobile, resilient, and persistent. Theforces currently positioned in the pacific region are capable, but they are concentrated on large bases and platforms, reliant on efficient but static infrastructure, and easily targetable by current A2/AD threats.EABO aims to break away from these large platforms, bases, and stations. Although countries in the INDOPACOM region do not hold a monopoly on A2/AD capabilities, this paper will focus on that specific region to narrow the discussion to capabilities relevant to EABO in a sub-tropic/tropical climate. This paper explores the US Marine Corps' current utilities capabilities, discusses alternatives, and makes suggestions on future procurement of capabilities to offset the risk associated with long logistics chains. This paper will also explore options already proposed by scientists and other experts in the field and discuss whether the answer lies in capabilities such as unmanned stealth delivery vehicles or if production at the site of use is feasible and preferred.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 13, 2021
Accession Number
AD1177940

Entities

People

  • Stafford A. Buchanan

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Electronic Warfare
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Climate Change Adaptation
  • Department Of State
  • Diesel Fuels
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Generators
  • Electric Power
  • Electrical Grids
  • Electronic Warfare
  • Energy Consumption
  • Energy Systems
  • Information Operations
  • Logistics
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Power Equipment
  • Renewable Energy
  • Solar Energy
  • Solar Panels
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs