NSW Warfighting Concepts in Support of Joint Force Maritime Operations in a Contested Environment

Abstract

This Broad Area Study will explore emerging concepts of maritime operations (Phase 0 to Phase V) in the context of Great Power Competition. The specific focus will be on the potential role NSW could play in contested environments within the construct of the US DoN Littoral Operations in a Contested Environment (LOCE), Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO), Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO), Joint Force 2030, and USSOCOM's Operating Concept 2030. Specific consideration will be given to the integration of NSW into Joint Maritime Operations and the USN Composite Warfare Doctrine, and the manner in which NSW could posture their force (man/train/equip and employ when called upon) to provide access and advantage in a contested environment, particularly looking at Phase 0 from a clandestine/non-standard ISR, maneuver, and logistics perspective. Related topics of discussion may include, but are not limited to, DMO, Joint Fires, Command and Control, C5ISR networks, expeditionary logistics/sustainment, Robotic Autonomous Systems (RAS) capabilities, implications of urban centers within the littorals, IO/Cyber, IW operations, Force Protection, OPSEC, INFOSEC, Deception Operations, AI for Small Unit Maneuver (AIUSM). Multi-disciplinary exploratory research will be conducted over the 12 month period, and would take the form of a collaborative Capstone project, with students and faculty from Systems Engineering, Operations Research, and Defense Analysis Depts. In addition to a Literature Review of existing research (including related previous work done in all three academic Departments) and ongoing dialogue with the sponsor, the project will include scenario-based wargaming and campaign analysis, discrete event modeling of various warfighting concepts, and system dynamics modeling with a user interface as a decision support tool. Deliverables: Final capstone report with modeling and simulation, findings, and recommendations. An Executive Summary and Research Poster.