Integrating Space into an Air Expeditionary Force
Abstract
This research paper will answer the following two questions regarding the integration of space into an Air Expeditionary Force (AEF): 1. What types of space support does an AEF require? 2. Is the AEF the proper organization to be the Joint Task Force's (JTF's) single focal point for space? The first two chapters provide background information on AEFs and space power. These chapters lay the foundation for the analyses contained in the Space Support for AEFs chapter as well as the Command and Control of Space Forces chapter. The analyses show that space-based systems are key enablers for AEFs. Space systems perform critical force enhancement missions of weather, communications, intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance (ISR), navigation and missile warning. These spacebased capabilities, when combined with terrestrial capabilities, provide the AEF with information superiority that translates into battlespace awareness. Space also provides the necessary communications capability for the AEFs to have a distributed command and control (C2) architecture with forward and rear Joint Air Operations Centers (JAOCs). The decentralized execution of space power by an AEF demands responsive tasking, processing, exploitation and dissemination (TPED) processes for space systems. By improving battlespace awareness, the Theater Deployable Imagery System (TDIS) described in Appendix C is but one example of a system providing decentralized execution of space power for the AEF. However, effective decentralized execution of space power hinges upon effective centralized control of space power. Therefore, three different C2 architectures were compared against each other. The first C2 model was the AEF as the single focal point for space within a JTF.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA396518
Entities
People
- Thomas A. Doyne
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College