A MODERN GREAT WALL: PRC SMART CITIES AND THE A2/AD IMPLICATIONS FOR AFSOC
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Authors
Bowman, John D.
Subjects
smart cities
PRC
grey-zone competition
A2/AD
IADS
AFSOC
SOF
joint force
integrated deterrence
Integrated Air Defense System
IADS
PRC
grey-zone competition
A2/AD
IADS
AFSOC
SOF
joint force
integrated deterrence
Integrated Air Defense System
IADS
Advisors
Jamison, Thomas
Date of Issue
2022-06
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The People’s 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 cyber technologies and tactics for Suppression of Enemy Information Systems—actions to disturb smart city command and control—to combat and exploit PRC smart cities.
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Thesis
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Department
Defense Analysis (DA)
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Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.