The DIM MAK Response of Special Operations Forces to the World of 2025: "Zero Tolerance/Zero Error"

Abstract

Special operations missions are both enduring and compelling in nature. In the past, special operations forces (SOF) led the way for conventional forces by applying cutting-edge innovative technology and tactics. This Department of Defense (DOD) force multiplier effectively leverages minimum capital investment into military capability equally effective in first, second, and third wave environments. The focus of this paper is to provide new ideas for employing SOF in the world which might exist in 2025. The methodology used allowed team members to produce new concepts of operation, employing innovative technologies against missions which will likely exist within the study time frame. After defining 2025 SOF offensive missions, the study group selected the top three capabilities needed to perform these missions. The three capabilities selected were required in all four SOF offensive missions and the missions could not be performed if any one of the three capabilities were missing. Numerous capabilities are required to successfully accomplish the SOF tasks, but the team restricted research to the top three priority enabling capabilities (EC). The paper takes the reader through a mission validation process which provides justification for the envisioned four SOF offensive missions. Assumptions are used to project these missions into the future. The paper's authors used alternate futures to form the boundaries for concept of operation development and technology solutions. The mission requirements, satisfied by the three ECs, resulted in three sets of unique capability requirements. Proposed technological solutions which might exist in 2025 fulfill requirements of the ECs. The result is a futurist view of SOF offensive missions and how these missions might be accomplished.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA332532

Entities

People

  • Dave B. Carr
  • Duane R. Schattle
  • Edward M. Griffin
  • James A. Cerniglia
  • Teresa L. Dicks

Organizations

  • Air University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Chemical Weapons
  • Commerce
  • Communication Equipment
  • Communication Systems
  • Information Systems
  • Intellectual Property
  • Military Applications
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Network Science
  • Stealth Technology
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

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