A Modern Great Wall: PRC Smart Cities and the A2/AD Implications for AFSOC
Abstract
The Peoples Republic of China's (PRC) proliferation of smart cities-integrated, government-controlled urban surveillance networks has increased the persistent stare of surveillance technologies globally. While the place of smart cities in strategic competition has been studied, the capability of PRC smart cities to achieve military ends like Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) has yet to be explored by Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The structure and capabilities of PRC smart cities reveal potential A2/AD threats and exploitation opportunities for AFSOC. Using the Integrated Air Defense System (IADS) as a model, this study suggests that PRC smart cities can function as IADS-like weapon systems, with a dispersed network of surveillance technologies integrated via a centralized control layer. PRC smart cities could produce at least two A2/AD threats to AFSOC: denial of aircraft entry to airspace and suppression of logistics and sustainment requirements (e.g., electricity and fuel). Conversely, AFSOC can exploit PRC smart cities using cyber-attacks - such as distributed denial of service and software manipulation to preserve access and placement. This thesis concludes that AFSOC should pursue two lines of effort by investing in both: "living off the grid" independent of smart city infrastructure and new cybertechnologies and tactics for Suppression of Enemy Information Systems actions to disturb smart city command and control to combat and exploit PRC smart cities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1184775
Entities
People
- John D. Bowman
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School