Recommended Strategy for the Army's Role in Space

Abstract : In the conflict environment of the future, global connectivity will be needed for deployment; simultaneous attack throughout depth will require synchronization, cooperation, and interconnectivity; command and control on the move will be essential; the Army will need to focus on avoiding incidents of fratricide; and the Army will need to plan for simultaneous contingency operations in regions without infrastructure. Given this environment, we believe that Army Future Operations will need to become Aerospace Land Operations, because this concept continues to reflect the aggressive, opportunitic spirit of Army Future Operations and gives the future Army the flexibility and agility it will need. This Note draws on space-related research the Arroyo Center has performed (and is performing) for the Army and proposes a strategy for the Army's role in space-one that is grounded in the argument that the Army's primary role in space should be to support the battlefield commander. The Note then suggests that the Army must modify its organization to emphasize space, should pursue a two-part investment strategy that centers on aggressively exploiting existing commercial, civilian, and national space assets, and must modify operational procedures for space (specifically those involving acquisition, training, and information distribution).