Space Warfare Meets Information Warfare
Abstract
Operation Desert Storm has been proclaimed as the first space war. Because the ability of the United States to operate in space was not challenged, there was no battle for space superiority. However there was a contest for information superiority. Both sides conducted surveillance and reconnaissance operations to gather and exploit information. Coalition forces gained an edge with superior intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets and effective operational security and deception activities. This superiority enabled the coalition to mask its true intentions and convince the Iraqis that an amphibious operation was forthcoming even as forces moved in place for the left hook maneuver that caught the enemy by surprise. Information warfare has been a central element of military operations for the Armed Forces since the Persian Gulf War. Defensive and offensive information operations are conducted to gain information superiority over an enemy. With the increasing importance of achieving information dominance, the role of space has become prominent. As the Secretary of Defense has reported: "The support provided by space forces significantly reduces the fog, friction, and uncertainty of warfare. Joint forces can rapidly see, hear, and exploit the environment when space forces are properly integrated into the joint plan. This results in improved situational awareness, reduced response time, and a considerably more transparent battlespace, which provides the [joint force commander (JFC)] dominant battlespace awareness." Given the importance of space to information operations, the next conflict may include a space war in the face of efforts to diminish U.S. advantages.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA524172
Entities
People
- Gordon D. Issler
Organizations
- National Defense University