Maneuver Warfare: Working Manned with Autonomous Systems for the Ground Maneuver Element

In my second interview with LtGen Heckl (Retired), we focused on a key issue: how does the USMC with its blending of its three significant aircraft additions of more than a decade, namely, the V-22, the F-35B and C, and the CH-53K, work their interactive capabilities in support of maneuver of the Ground Combat Element (GCE) and to do so in such a way that the apertures are open on incorporating autonomous systems into their approach to maneuver warfare?

Too often the discussion of autonomous systems – whether air, land or sea – is discussed as in and of itself dynamic – whereas these capabilities are entering the combat force as elements of the reworking of maneuver warfare. And for a force like the Marine Corps, the ability of the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) and GCE to work effectively together is a core aspect of how they do maneuver warfare and will continue to do so as autonomous systems are added to the force.

But how to understand this complex dynamic and identify key elements for shaping the way ahead?

With his most recent posting, as head of Marine Corps Combat Development Command, and with his career long association with Marine Air, Heckl has clear insights into how to understand this transition.

Based on my more than 40 years of work with the U.S. and allied militaries, I would say that the combat force will not use new capabilities unless they see what problems the new systems will solve, and the warfighter begins to master and think through in practical terms how to use new systems. There is little interest in disruptive change which reduces the combat effectiveness of the force rather than enhancing its lethality and survivability.

The Marines have a unique mix of air systems working with the Ground Combat Element.

The V-22 has brought speed, range and enhanced survivability for the GCE. And as the V-22 has evolved, it has added multi-mission capabilities to support evolving concepts of maneuver. The F-35 is a flying combat system whose survivability and ability to see the battlespace through wolfpack operations and ability to see with data provided by sister service of allied F-35s provides a much wider view of the battlespace. The newest addition, the CH-53K, has brought all digital capabilities to support the maneuver force, and its all-digital character enables it to operate out of the box with autonomous systems, if effort is directed to this task. And enabling all of these aircraft is the core workhorse of the USMC – the KC-130J – which provides a wide range of support to the air element as it operates to support the GCE.

The underlying problem which integration between the ACE and the GCE is now being focused upon is how best to empower a distributed force able to fight and win against long range precision fires and growing capabilities of an adversary to see the blue force operating in the battlespace.

For maneuver to succeed in such conditions, the force needs to be distributed and capable of being able to attack or to defend against the adversary. As Heckl underscored in our conversation: “This was a major factor that drove the initiation of our Force Design efforts.”

There were three major topics we then discussed in terms of crafting such a maneuver force.

The first is to make full value of USMC air. This is rooted in very capable C2 which links the capabilities of these aircraft to deliver the kind of support necessary for the ecosystem of ground maneuver warfare.

LtGen Heckl (Retired) underscored: “When the entirety of the ACE is effectively integrated with the GCE, they are real game changers in terms of enabling C2, fires, and maneuver. And obviously space-based assets will be critical, and when coupled with Marine Aviation assets provides a flexible network backbone for the GCE to see effectively, to react early to changing battlefield conditions, and to be able to draw on fires which the adversary cannot easily destroy.”

The Osprey can deliver additional C2 across the distributed force with the Marine Corps’ introduction of Tactical Edge Node-Expeditionary (TEN-X); on an MRZR vehicle and a quick roll on/roll off capability. TEN-X is providing a critical command and control node across the joint force, and it will support future autonomous systems. The F-35 has a unique communication and ISR capability which allows an expanded view of the battlespace. And the CH-53K can provide unique capabilities for the GCE as we leverage its digital backbone.

“And we are not just talking about the USMC or the joint force. A lot of allies fly these aircraft as well, notably the F-35, and we share data crucial to allowing for broader scale maneuver warfare which we are in the throes of developing.”

I made the point that C2 enablement of the ACE and its ability to operate with the GCE was foundational for any real ability to use autonomous systems effectively in maneuver warfare, so that prioritizing making C2 in the manned world more effective was foundational for a way ahead with autonomous systems.

Heckl agreed. “How we effectively communicate with autonomous systems is the key to using them effectively. We don’t want rogue robots in the battlespace. And bandwidth is a key challenge. How do I work with multiple autonomous and manned systems? How do I communicate? How do I exercise fire control? And how do I provide the kind of interactive support and guidance with the GCE as it works the kind of offensive-defensive maneuver required in the conditions of being threatened by adversarial long range fires and capable surveillance systems?”

A key problem defining the new situation for the GCE are drones used for offensive or defensive purposes. Such drones are affecting the utility of legacy ground vehicles, including tanks, and requiring the GCE to be able to defeat adversary drones at the same time as using attack drones of your own. The ACE is important in providing the kind of information necessary for drone maneuver warfare, and this will be a function not only of the C2/ISR backbone which manned air can provide but increasingly what can be delivered by the blend of manned with autonomous systems.

But all this begins with enhancing the capability of the manned systems to deliver the kind of C2 and ISR support the GCE needs. With this network backbone in place, the addition of autonomous systems is plus up in combat capability, rather than disrupting your own capability in the face of adversary actions.

Featured graphic: Aircraft silhouetted against stunning sunset, military drones in formation, sky filled with vibrant colors, aviation. Military drones in formation silhouetted against stunning sunset, sky filled with vibrant colors, aircraft flying together, aviation concept AI generated.