Making the Soldier Decisive on Future Battlefields
Abstract
The focus of this study was achieving decisive overmatch for the dismounted Soldier and tactical small unit (TSU) on future battlefields. In particular, the committee was asked to determine the elements of overmatch capabilities necessary to achieve decisiveness, identify technical requirements for optimizing Soldiers and small units, identify near-, mid-, and far-term technologies for investment, and determine the relative importance of such investments. The complete statement of task is in Box SUM-1. To examine the desired elements of decisive overmatch, Chapter 2 identifies capabilities needed for decisive overmatch by Soldiers and small units in dismounted infantry squad operations, including situational understanding, military effects (including lethal and nonlethal effects and stability actions), maneuverability, sustainability, and survivability. Chapter 3 then articulates the foundational capabilities needed to identify and implement potential solutions. Finally, Chapter 4 describes how to achieve overmatch by focusing on the five areas most likely to enable improvements in Soldier and TSU decisiveness. To identify relevant technical requirements, the committee gathered information about ongoing concept and technology development efforts both in and out of the Army with potential to contribute to decisive overmatch within the near (5 years), mid (5-10 years), and far (beyond 10 years) terms. The committee also interviewed Soldiers, both officer and enlisted, with recent combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan to gain an understanding of known shortcomings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA584601