Multi-Domain Battle

Multi-Domain Battle served its purpose—it sparked thinking and debate and it created a foundation. But what we need now is Multi-Domain Operations, and the next revision of the concept to be released this fall will reflect this change. Language is important. It conveys meaning. This change is not cosmetic—it is about growing an idea to its greatest potential in order to change the way we fight today and ensure overmatch against our adversaries of tomorrow.

The character of war, strategy development and operational dilemmas change over time, therefore operational approaches must do the same.

Multi-domain battle has a nexus in the Operational Support Area of cyberspace. Often taken for granted, freedom of maneuver in the cyber domain is not guaranteed.

The U.S. needs something that can do more than just fight and win battles.  MDB is a start, but something far more ambitious is needed.

One of the authors of this article previously proposed an alternative definition that recognizes the need to consider more than fires and movement alone.

TRADOC Mad Scientist Project: Leveraging robotics and autonomous systems to penetrate high-risk areas and to provide support in contested environments.

TRADOC Mad Scientist Project: Time dominates descriptions of the MDB concept which emphasizes the rapid and transitory nature of opportunities on the future battlefield.

TRADOC Mad Scientist Project: Multi-Domain Entropy - creating uncertainty within enemy domains in order to disadvantage their ability to win.

TRADOC Mad Scientist Project: Data will be the most coveted weapon and the greatest tool.

In understanding dominance, leaders will be better suited to develop feasible, acceptable, and suitable operational approaches and tactical plans for the multi-domain environment.