USMC ENHANCED COMPANY OPERATIONS (ECO) Analytical Support to the Emerging Concept of Operations

1. USMC ENHANCED COMPANY OPERATIONS (ECO) Analytical Support to the Emerging Concept of Operations Michael P. Bailey Technical Director Operations Analysis Division, USMC Quantico, VA

2. USMC ENHANCED COMPANY OPERATIONS (ECO) Analytical Support to the Emerging Concept of Operations Michael P. Bailey Beast, Knob, (Fresh)Meat, Rat, Peeper, Grasshopper, Sunshine, FNG, Pup, Rookie, Nube, Greenbean, Sprout, Awake

3. OUTLINE • Explaining ECO • ECO Scenario • Ongoing and Recent Studies

4. Enhanced Company Operations “An approach to the operational art that maximizes the tactical flexibility offered by true decentralized mission accomplishment, consistent with commander’s intent and facilitated by improved command and control, intelligence, logistics, and fires capabilities.” - A Concept for Enhanced Company Operations CMC: 28 Aug 2008

5. POWER TO THE EDGEEnhanced Company Operations • CLOC: Company-level Operations Cell • CLIC: Company-level Intelligence Cell • Scout Section • Controllers of Indirect Fires (Air, Surface-to-Surface, Naval) • In order to… • distribute forces safely, re-aggregate to reinforce • increase the area of responsibility of the Rifle Company • increase the mi2/Marine

6. Rifle Company Table of Organization 1st Platoon 2d Platoon 3d Platoon Assault Section Mortar Section MG Section Weapons Platoon HQ Section

7. Enhanced Rifle Company 2d Platoon 3d Platoon 1st Platoon Mortar Section MG Section Scout Section Weapons Platoon HQ Section

8. Enhanced Rifle Company 2d Platoon 3d Platoon 1st Platoon Mortar Section MG Section Scout Section Weapons Platoon HQ Section

9. Country B is a cruel dictatorship portion of Country B’s military splits off (insurgents) occupies RedZone declares separate state Country B attacks with 2 x BN NW A-sters are sympathetic to the insurgency Country A’s govt wants the insurgents routed, reestablished governance of RedZone Country A convinces USA to Send in the Marines 0 25miles SCENARIO: ROAD TO CRISIS RedZone COUNTRY B COUNTRY A FAKEWATER SEA GULF OF NOTREALLY ESG: LHA, LPD, LSD, CG, DDG, SSN, MEU(SOC)

10. (Rein) (Rein) BLT 1/1 12 x CH-46 4 x CH-53 4 x AH-1W 3 x UH-1N 6 x AV-8B 2 x KC-130 on tether MEU(SOC) ACE Seabased artillery battery truck det. tanks amphibians engineer det. recon det. infantry company

11. (-) To the Seabase 75nmi • MEU(SOC) Mission Phases • Ship-to-Objective Maneuver • Air • Surface (limited) • Clear in zones to press enemy forces across the border • Stabilize Border Region • Close Border • Establish ISR Zones • Provide Security • Enable Locals • Protect the Refugee Camps • IO Campaign Population Centers 50,000 or greater 25,000-50,000 10,000-25,000 0-10,000

12. ORGANIZATION Operates in 4-5 man teams, capable of operating up to Platoon (50 pers). Can mass a single Co. (100-150 pers) EQUIPMENT C4I capacity VHF squad radios Cell Phone primary comms (reliable) Landline alternate comms (unreliable) Commercial Satellite Internet COTS encryption INSURGENT ELEMENTS IN COUNTRY A

13. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? w w w w MASS MASS CURRENT EN SIT OVERLAY Known Insurgent Vehicle Established Roadblock Recruitment (Willing) Mortar Engagement Light Air Defense Weapon Mass Demonstration

14. Studying ECO from various angles…

15. Marine Advanced Unit, Infantry (MAUI) Establish baseline simulation capability for small unit operations in urban environments Model using IWARS (USArmy, Natick Soldier System Center) McKenna terrain box small arms’ effects human performance agent-based logic Background Question(s) • Can we calibrate a simulation for effectiveness of squad-sized forces in urban environment, across a variety of circumstances? • Can we make statements about simple but effective rules about distributing/aggregating? • Quantify the value of the ECO Enhancements? Status • Simulation challenging, partially successful • Human performance being calibrated with live experiments • Partners: USArmy, USNavy, Old Dominion University

16. Tactical Mobility for Smaller Scale MAGTF Operations in the Future Background Question(s) • ECO CONOPS being developed in an environment of flux in tactical vehicle Programs • MRAP • Armoring • Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) • Internally Transported Vehicle (MV-22) • What are the performance-driving characteristics for various tactical vehicle alternatives for ECO? • What are the impacts on • strategic mobility? • amphibious operations? • general purpose forces? Status • Ongoing meta-analysis • Options being tested in Afghanistan • JLTV AoA (USArmy lead) MAGTF RBE Threat/End State Sea Base? SSMAGTF Area of Effectiveness Communications Use TRANSCOM? SSMAGTF Area of Effectiveness

17. Squad Sustainability Squad Comms Squad Survivability Squad Mobility Squad Lethality Given: That the Squad as a System is the correct way to think about acquisition decisions for infantry equipment Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV’s) Background Question(s) • DARPA and USMC science and technology projects developing unmanned ground vehicles • Unmanned Challenge I, II, III • Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad (MERS): Squad as a System • What is a reasonable role for UGV’s in supporting distributed small units? • What are important breakpoints in range, capacity, speed? Status • Developing ECO planning factors for supply and support • Network simulation • Live experimentation • Branching into Cargo Unmanned Aerial System (Cargo UAS) ?

18. Future Squad Power Needs Background Question(s) • Growth of battery-powered devices in current operation • Enhanced units add target location and designation, more comm, cameras, other intel and recon devices • What is the projected future demand for power in a squad under ECO? • Quantify the benefits of standardization of powerpacks? • Can equipment density be a burden? Status • Power requirements are elusive • Density question requires simulation with human performance, long scenario duration • Power questions co-mingle with supply requirements questions

19. Air Cargo Delivery in Support of ECO Background Question(s) • Joint Precision Air Delivery System (JPADS) • Not-so-precise air delivery • Helicopter-based resupply • Trucks in convoys • What are requirements for air delivery in an ECO scenario? • capacity • frequency • precision Status • Merging with other logistical support questions • Precision delivery key enabler in Afghanistan

20. C4ISR Modeling and Analysis Background Question(s) • Satellite Tool Kit provides ability to integrate and visualize operational plans in 3D • Robust ability to model and analyze C4ISR capabilities • OAD providing analytic support to MEB for current ops planning • What are the ISR coverage gaps? • How will terrain effect comm links? • What joint ISR assets should we request to support current ops? Status • Study started Feb 09 • OAD currently provided pre-deployment analysis to MEB • Deployed STK-trained analyst with reach-back support

21. Anti-Armor System Mix Study Background Question(s) • USMC transitioning to Predator anti-armor weapon • Current operations – AA weapons used for other purposes • What are the overall anti-armor requirements for an Enhanced Company? • How often is the true anti-armor capability required? • Quantify effectiveness of mixes • Force structure and weapons systems in the MAGTF based in the 2025 timeframe. Status • Using static capability assessment • Just underway

22. SUPPLIMENTAL INFORMATION

23. Weapons Platoon Overview Summary of Changes : • Weapons Platoon • Assault Section Leader billet is lost • Assault section personnel and weapons placed under Rifle Platoons • Scout Section formed under Weapons Platoon • 13 total personnel • Weapons Platoon Sergeant Billet (0369/GySgt) becomes the Scout Section Leader billet • Scout Section Leader formally trained and certified to serve as a Joint Tactical Air Controller (JTAC) • Machine Gun Section is reduced to 4 guns / 2 squads – teams are changed from 3 to 4 Marines (squads from 7 to 9 Marines)