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1 [1] (December 26, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govenve0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service Informing the Iegitive debate since 1914 The Army's Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) The Significance of the Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) Congress has expressed concern about the threat to U.S. national security posed by Russia and China. The Army believes in order to address this threat, it must be able to operate in a multi-domain (air, land, water, space, cyber, information) environment, requiring new operational concepts, technologies, weapons, and units. The Multi- Domain Task Force (MDTF) is the Army's self-described organizational centerpiece of this effort. What Is a Mul t-Domain Task Force? In the Army's Chief of Staff Paper #1: Army Multi-Domain Transformation Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict dated March 16, 2021 the Army describes the Multi- Domain Task Force (MDTF) as theater-level maneuver elements designed to synchronize precision effects and precision fires in all domains against adversary anti-access/ area denial (A2/AD) networks in all domains, enabling joint forces to execute their operational plan (OPLAN)-directed roles. What Is Anti-Access/ Area Denial (A2/AD)? Anti-Access is defined as any action, activity, or capability, usually long-range, designed to prevent an advancing military force from entering an operational area. Area Denial is defined as action, activity, or capability, usually short-range, designed to limit an adversarial force's freedom of action within an operational area. In terms of weapon systems, threat A2/AD defenses are envisioned of being comprised of layered and integrated long-range precision-strike systems, littoral anti-ship capabilities, air defenses, and long-range artillery and rocket systems. MDTFs are designed to support freedom of action of U.S. forces. MDTFs are to be scalable from operational to strategic level and can be modified to support the needs of individual Joint Force Commanders. MDTFs also provide supported commanders the ability to plan, integrate, control, track, and assess the effectiveness of joint counter- A2/AD activities. The Army intends for each MDTF to have an All-Domain Operations Center (ADOC) to enable 24/7 monitoring of adversary activities in all domains. What s the Purpose of MDTFs? The 1st MDTF was created in 2017 as an experimental unit at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington and participated in a variety of experiments and exercises to both test its capabilities and develop requirements for equipment and Updated December 26, 2023 units to be included as part of the MDTF force design. According to the Army, the MDTF's purpose is * during competition, to gain and maintain contact with our adversaries to support the rapid transition to crisis or conflict; * during a crisis, to deter adversaries and shape the environment by providing flexible response options to the combatant commander; and * if conflict arises, to neutralize adversary A2/AD networks to enable joint freedom of action. MDTF Organization The diagram at Figure 1 depicts a notional generic MDTF. Figure I. Notional Generic MDTF Multi-Domain Task Force Strategic Fires BAtta0one Brigade Support IZ E 5Battalion '-tto attalion Electronic Warfare, a Space Battalion HIMARS MRC LRHW Battry Capah1iifV attery: B r MI ERSE NFQ DE Mitag npen ece itjarE -tended Range I/nforation MiiInth9ige~ce Co my E and Defen Copany Company Effect- Company Source: Chief of Staff Paper #1 Army Multi-Domain Transformation Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict, March 16, 2021, p. 12. Notes: (1) HIMARS: High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System presently in use by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. (2) While not explicitly stated, the first Military Intelligence (MI) Company depicted is assumed to be terrestrially focused, while the second Military Intelligence Company, based on its military symbol, is assumed to be space-focused. (3) Mid-Range Capabilities (MRC) Battery is now known as the Strategic Mid-Range Fires (SMRF) Battery.