The Integrated Distributed Combat Force - Second Line of Defense

The Integrated Distributed Combat Force

The liberal democracies are rebuilding their force structures and reshaping their concepts of operations to deal with the rise of the 21st century authoritarian powers. This micro site focuses on these transformation efforts. We will be looking at the platforms, the connectors, the enablers as the liberal democracies build out their concepts of operations and coalition approaches with the integrated distributed force as providing key capabilities to provide for full spectrum crisis management.

The US Navy and a number of key allies are working manned-unmanned teaming as part of shaping the integrated distributed force.

Tiltrotor technologies have been a major boost to shaping integrated distributed operations.

The USMC is at the cutting edge of building out distributed operations, and USMC aviation has driven the change first with the Osprey, then the F-35B, and now with the CH-53K.

C2 is changing fundamentally with the shaping of an integrated distributed force.

“What we have with the OPV is the ability to shape it to operate in a number of different ways, including operating maritime remotes across the operational space. Rather than simply building a hull form to do classic constabulary tasks, we are building a ship which is capable of being morphed into a variety of missions with an extended operational combat or gray zone space." Vice Admiral (Retired) Tim Barrett

The newly launched Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat System is designed to build out an integrated distributed force.

The US Navy is adding the CMV-22B to the fleet and this asset will both contribute to the COD function as well as evolve as an asset for distributed maritime operations. The USS Carl Vinson will begin operations later this year with two new air wing assets: the F-35C and the CMV-22b.

At UxS Integrated Battle Problem exercise in San Diego, the U.S. Navy addressed who unmanned systems, both remotely piloted and autonomous might contribute to fleet operations. One of the participants was MARTAC with its Devil Ray USV.

The USS Gerald R. Ford will operate a new approach to air wing operations which we have labelled as working the integratable air wing in fleet operations.

The B-21 will enter the force as a significant flexible payload provider for the force, and for the fleet as well. Mix and match payloads directed by the modular task forces operating at the tactical edge can be provided by the bomber force.

The USS Wasp was an ASW provider during the Black Widow Fall 2020 ASW exercise. This is part of the reworking of how platforms and assets can function in a kill web approach.

The startup fleets in Norfolk -- C2F and Allied Joint Force Command -- which are fully operational now provide insights into a way ahead in crafting and building an integrated distributed force with current capabilities.

Marines prepare to launch a Networking-on-the-Move Airborne-equipped MV-22 Osprey at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 12, 2021. Marines with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines participated in a notional air assault as part of Island Marauder. NOTM-Airborne provides Marines with real-time command, control and collaborative mission planning while airborne. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Ashley Calingo)

A United States Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft connects to the KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft refuelling hose, during an air to air refuelling sortie in Queensland, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021.

HMS Queen Elizabeth and USS The Sullivans with the United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group joined ships with NATO Standing Maritime Groups One and Two for an impressive display of maritime power in the Eastern Atlantic on 28 May 2021. The rendezvous was part of Steadfast Defender 21, a large scale defensive exercise designed to test NATO’s ability to rapidly deploy forces from North America to the coast of Portugal and the Black Sea region. (Royal Navy photography by LPhot Unaisi Luke)

Featured Article

Driving Innovation for the Maritime Forces: Keeping up with the Criminal Class

01/20/2025

By Robbin Laird When I was working with the U.S. Coast Guard, more than a decade ago, the Commandant was considering a new acquisition approach. The acquisition approach became known as Deepwater. This is the only comprehensive mutli-domain acquisiton approach which the U.S. has tried to implement in the maritime domain. In a 2003 Defense Horizons article I wrote for the National Defense University I focused on the Deepwater model within the context of various…

Read More >>

RAF Marham Gets Ready for the F-35: A Strategic Opportunity for the RAF and the USAF to Shape Common Support Capabilities for the F-35 Fleet

04/09/2016Will the USAF seize the opportunity of leveraging the working relationship with the F-35 on sustainment? Read more »

Building from Airpower Integration in the Middle East To Shape a More Integrated and Capable Australian Defence Force: The Perspective of Air Commander Australia

04/07/2016The Air Commander Australia focuses on the way ahead leveraging their recent experience and anticipating the coming of fifth generation capabilities. Read more »

F-35 Maintenance at the Edwards Developmental Test Team: Laying the Foundation for the Operations of a Global Fleet

04/06/2016The “right stuff” is not just in the air; it is on the ground as well. Read more »

F-35 Prepares to Fly With Heritage Aircraft

04/06/2016Video:F-35 Prepares to Fly With Heritage Aircraft Read more »

Shaping the Airpower Transition: The Perspective of “Zed” Roberton, Commander Air Combat Group (RAAF)

04/06/2016Air Commodore Steve Roberton knows about airpower transitions and talks about the way ahead for the RAAF. Read more »

A New Special Report: The F-35 Arrives into the Combat Fleet

04/06/2016The F-35 is not a future program; it is here now. Read more »

Pax River F-35 Integrated Test Team Launches the Joint Standoff Weapon in the Atlantic Test Ranges

04/01/2016An F-35C Lightning II launched its first AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) over the Atlantic Test Ranges on 23 March. Read more »

Mastering the Reshaping of the Joint Force Capability Puzzle: A Discussion with Air Marshal Davies of the Royal Australian Air Force

04/01/2016The Chief of the RAAF discusses the way ahead with evolving force structure design and integration in the 21st century. Read more »

Air Vice-Marshal McDonald Views the Way Ahead for the RAAF in the Joint Operations Space

03/30/2016The Deputy Chief of Staff discussed how the RAAF was working with Army and Navy to shape cross-cutting transformation. Read more »

SLD BOOKSHOP

The Second Line of Defense team provides high quality publications with regard to key global strategic developments. You can purchase these on a number of booksellers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.

Transporting Patriot Missiles aboard MV-22B Osprey

01/09/2025 U.S. Army Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment and U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing transport Patriot… Read more »

Our Partners