Main Idea:
CNI is the ability of the join/combined force to recognize and survive the use of nuclear weapons, reconstitute critical capabilities, and plan and execute integrated multi domain conventional and nuclear combat operations in, around, and through a nuclear environment. This includes ensuring protection and resilience of nuclear command, control, and communication (NC3), through multi-domain operations. CNI enables the U.S. to continue conventional combat operations in a nuclear effects environment.
Full Abstract/Description:
The Joint Force, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and especially Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) must develop concepts of operations tailored to its forces to successfully operate in a nuclear environment. Wargaming provides the opportunity to consider how to prosecute a future conflict with a peer adversary at the conventional level while preparing for the risk of nuclear escalation and prosecuting conventional and nuclear operations simultaneously in a threat environment. It also helps to address gaps and seams in existing doctrine, guidance, tactics, techniques, and procedures.
Research Questions:
How can the Joint Force, USAF, and AFGSC use wargaming to address the following shortfalls in knowledge and capability development to support CNI operations?
What are the operational seams/gaps between simultaneous conventional/nuclear execution?
What are the implications to a nuclear force generation in a stressed environment?
Are there limiting factors and mitigating strategies for mobile support team (MST) requirements and other stressors on available resources (operations, maintenance, security) during the execution of CNI operations?
What potential C2 and NC3 issues would exist within a stressed conventional and nuclear environment and how can they be mitigated or overcome?
Will there be access to key enabling forces during execution of near-simultaneous nuclear and conventional missions in the same geographical area such as tankers, ISR, airlift, etc?
Justification:
Various wargames (Futures Game, Global Engagement, etc) have been conducted at the conventional level that have nuclear excursions; however, they have usually been tasked only at investigating strategic decisions and have not been an all-encompassing study that provides actionable data on CNI that can drive programmatic and mission planning. A wargame that is exclusively focused on CNI and its implications in a peer conventional conflict would be applicable for future planning for modernization for both private industry and government.
Study Will Inform:
This study will inform USSTRATCOM, A5/8/10, DTRA, RAND, AFGSC, AFSTRAT, HAF A5/8/10, AETC, ACC, AMC , or any other DOD or US Government agency that could potentially support CNI. The outcomes will advance AFGSC/CC vision, develop nuclear leaders, and further AFGSC strategy and potential force structure with lessons learned that feed AFGSC strategic studies. It will also support deterrence/assurance by demonstrating willingness to study nuclear issues. Participation in wargaming community leads to inclusion of deterrence/assurance objectives in other wargames and acts as a catalyst to mature nuclear analytical models/studies.