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1 [1] (April 19, 2024)

handle is hein.crs/govepqy0001 and id is 1 raw text is: , Congressional Research Service Informing th~ eagis ative debate since 1914 Updated April 19, 2024 The Army's Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) The S in icance of the Multi-Domain Task Force (M DTF) Congress has expressed concern about the threat to U.S. national security posed by Russia and China. The Army believes 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. hatIs a Mult - iomain 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 described 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 composed 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 commanders. MDTFs also provide supported commanders the ability to plan, integrate, control, track, and assess the effectiveness of joint counter-A2/AD activities. hat Is the Purpose of MDTFs? The 1s MDTF was created in 2017 as an experimental unit at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA, and participated in a variety of experiments and exercises to both test its capabilities and develop requirements for equipment and units 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 StrAteoi Fires A1,r Defgns Brigade supo r alattawn ,a Bsattali sB nfor- ain. yber. 12eCrEnic arnaren aund Space 3attaiona LRHW HIARS cadge on Ran o sane Battery Itery Y ~ a nS1 tOOlB er mlitary Inteligence Miltary Sgnat Extended Range inlorman Company intetllgence Com Sensmg and Defes Company company Effects cmpany Source: Chief of StaffPaper #1 Army Multi-Domain Transformation Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict, March 16, 2021, p. 12. Notes: (1) HIMARS: High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems. (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. The Army notes each MDTF is to be tailored to Combatant Commander requirements, so it is possible the notional MDTF in Figure 1 may contain more, fewer, or other types of units depending on the requirements of its assigned theater of operations. Army P ans for MDTFs The Army originally planned to build five MDTFs: two aligned to the Indo-Pacific region; one aligned to Europe; one stationed in the Arctic region and oriented on multiple threats; and a fifth MDTF aligned for global response. The