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1 Effects-based Operations: An Overview Dr. Maris “Buster” McCrabb (757) 508-8735 [email protected]

Effects-based Operations: An Overviewindianstrategicknowledgeonline.com/web/ebo1.pdf · EBO encompasses and supplements both target-based and objectives-based a對pproaches. The goal

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1

Effects-based Operations: An Overview

Dr. Maris “Buster” McCrabb

(757) 508-8735

[email protected]

2

Overview

• Introduction

• Definitions

• Models

• ATD Technologies

• EBO in Operation ALLIED FORCE

3

GlobalSituation

Awareness

CRISIS

AirObjectives

AirTasks T

ASK

LEVEL

ANALYSIS

Now

Air & SpaceControlForce

Support

Force Application

ForceEnhancement

Effects-Based Operations

Bridge 4 Destroyed

Destroy Bridge 4

Disrupt

Delivery of POLEffect

TasksDestroy Bridge 6

Plan

Indicators

Bridge 6 Destroyed

Physical effects that lead to…

…desired behavioral outcomes.

4

Effects-Based Operations

The challenge is predicting & assessing what physical actionsproduce the desired behavioral effects over some period of time

EBO …

• is an approach, a way of thinking

• supports all missions from HUMRO to MTW

• utilizes lethal and nonlethal force

• offers an approach that models an “Enemy as a System”

• offers Economy-of-Force

• offers an approach to Effects-based Dynamic ISR Management

EBO …

• is an approach, a way of thinking

• supports all missions from HUMRO to MTW

• utilizes lethal and nonlethal force

• offers an approach that models an “Enemy as a System”

• offers Economy-of-Force

• offers an approach to Effects-based Dynamic ISR Management

"Effects based operations is a methodology for planning, executing and assessing operations to attain the effects required to achieve desired national security objectives.“ AFDD 1

Presenter
Presentation Notes
The definition shown here is directly out of the Air Force Doctrine Document 1, “AF Basic Doctrine” EBO is an approach to planning, executing and assessing military operations with an explicit focus on effects as opposed to targets or even objectives. Many people ask, Isn’t this the way we have always fought wars? Didn’t we always focus on the effects we want to achieve? The answer is yes, commander’s certainly always consider effects when planning and fighting wars. What is lacking and what we are developing are the automated tools to build and assess plans that link objectives to effects (including direct, indirect, physical effects, behavioral effects and the mechanisms through which effects are achieved). And then to link the effects and mechanisms to specific actions which need to be taken. As stated here, EBO is a mindset, a way of thinking in as much as it is a new methodology. It supports all mission types from Humanitarian Relief Operations all the way to Major Theater War. EBO could utilize lethal and non-lethal force such as information warfare. We are exploring the use on information warfare for EBO. EBO offers and requires an approach to modeling the Enemy as A System or more specifically a System-of-Systems. This is done through enemy COG or NEV modeling. We use the Warden COG analysis model and the Barlow NEV model to do this. What’s important for Ebo is to address not only COG analysis but also cross-cog analysis. For example what effects does one COG such as infrastructure have on another COG such as system essentials or leadership. EBO offers economy of force by specifying both dependencies and interactions between various target systems/COGs and mechanism. It also offers an approach to dynamically tasking ISR assets to the effects that the commander is out to achieve.

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Comparison of Effects-Based, Objectives-Based and Targets-Based Operations

Effects-Based

Target-Based

Objectives-Based(Strategies-To Task)

Target-Based (TBO) • ID enemy entities, destroy them• Focus: physical effects at target level• Looks at 1st and 2nd order effects only• No dynamic assessment• No explicit timing considerations

Objectives-Based (OBO) (Strategies-to-Task)• Strategies at one level become objectives for next• Focus: objectives at every level • Considers linkages between objectives and

strategies to achieve those objectives• No dynamic assessment• No explicit timing considerations

Effects-Based (EBO) • Address causality between actions and effects• Focus: desired effects (physical and behavioral)• Encompass both target and objective-based methods• Models the enemy-as-a-system w/adversary reaction• Considers Direct, Indirect, Complex (synergistic),

Cumulative & Cascading effects• Timing explicitly considered• “Overcoming” mechanism stated & assessed

Presenter
Presentation Notes
To understand EBO it is necessary to understand objectives-based and target-based approaches for planning, assessing and executing military operations. EBO is not intended to replace either of them. Rather it encompasses both of these approaches but adds support for dynamic tasking & assessment, economy of force and timing considerations. Target-based approaches identify the enemy entities or targets and sets out to destroy them. The focus is on the physical effects at the target level only. It has been the traditional—and bloody—approach to warfare for millennia. Objectives-based approaches look at the strategy at one level and turn that strategy (such as the national security level) into objectives at the next lower level (such as the theater or campaign level). The focus here is on objectives to satisfy the higher level strategies. This became a commonly used approach for planning, assessing, and executing warfare at all levels over the past decade in the USAF. With an effects-based operations approach one explicitly examines and models the causes between actions and effects. Both physical and behavioral direct and indirect effects. Effects are the main focus. EBO encompasses and supplements both target-based and objectives-based approaches. The goal is to model the enemy as a system and provide dynamic real-time assessment as opposed to the other approaches where no dynamic assessment is made.

6

Definitions

• No doctrinal template in approved Joint doctrine– USAF Doctrine has rudimentary definitions

• Physical => Behavioral– destroy (damage), disrupt (Kosovo), degrade, dislocate, decapitate,

divert, delay (isolate), deny (halt), deceive, defend, deter (D11)– coerce: punish, threaten (George, Schelling)

• Historically and theoretically behavioral most important but hardest– therefore, traditionally military operations focus on physical effects

• Major problems with behavioral effects:– causality between action & effect– observability of effect– uncertainty of intervening variables

7

AFDD 2-1 Definitions

• Direct Effect

• Indirect Effect

• “Effects” described

• Limitations:

– Precise definitions of “effects”

– Effects versus Objectives

– Conflating Mechanism

– Connections between Direct & Indirect Effects

– Complex or Cascading Effects

8

AFDD 2-1 Definitions

• Direct Effect: “Result of actions with no intervening effect or mechanism between act and outcome. Direct effects are usually immediate and easily recognizable.” (AKA 1st order effect)

• Indirect Effect: “Result created through an intermediate effect or mechanism to produce the final outcome,which may be physical or psychological in nature. Indirect effects tend to be delayed,and may be difficult to recognize.” (AKA 2nd, 3rd,…, n-order effects)

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Effect

• A result from some action

– Assumes a causal connection

– “IF x THEN y” is a statement of (direct) effect

• Point of View dependent

Action

Cause

Action

EffectEffect

AFDD 2-1 EBO CONOPS

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Mechanism

• Actions Cause Results (Effects)

• Mechanism explains cause

– Rationale explains purpose (Commander’s Intent)

• IF (x; action) THEN (y; result) BECAUSE (a, b, … ; mechanism)

– Uncertainty in action, result and cause suggest a probability- based approach (Bayes)

• Clausewitz: if you defeat an enemy’s fielded force, then a rational leader will submit because his country is undefended.

• Douhet: if you terrorize the population, then a rational leader will submit because the populace will rise up, rebel, and force submission.

Presenter
Presentation Notes
The yellow words defeat and terrorize are effect words. The blue terms fielded force and population are objects of those effects. They are highlighted because they will be found in the models we use to trace and predict effects in an enemy.

11

Mechanism continued

• Slessor: if you interdict infrastructure or supply, then fielded forces will be less combat capable, making them easier to defeat which leads to…an undefended country.

• Schelling: if you threaten things leadership value, then they will submit rather than lose those things.

• Warden: if you isolate leadership, then they are prevented from doing something which would thwart our will. They submit because the imposed paralysis prevents them from doing otherwise.

Presenter
Presentation Notes
The example from RAF Air Marshall Sir John Slessor was chosen because it points out an idea crucial to EBO that will be fleshed out soon: direct actions that ultimately result in indirect effects. That is, the effects on infrastructure and those effects on an enemy’s fielded force which ultimately leads to defeat of the enemy. Professor Thomas C. Schelling, a seminal theorist on deterrence and compellence, is used to point out the ultimate connection to behavioral effects at the strategic level. Conflict starts as an idea in the minds of strategic leadership and it is there that it is resolved. That notion, of course, underlies the contention of USAF Colonel (ret.) John A. Warden, III that leadership is always the central center-of-gravity (COG).

12

Mechanism finished

• In reality these are few, if any, single mechanisms at work.

– Direct and indirect effects combine to form complex and cumulative effects

– Effects cascade for good or ill

• Predicting, then assessing, how physical actions spawn behavioral effects (I.e., results from actions) is the major challenge.

Presenter
Presentation Notes
In a few slides, more complete definition of terms will be offered. Again is the emphasis that EBO is not simple—and Clausewitz reminded us that in war the simplest thing is very hard.

13

Actions & Tasks

• Tasks are work (actions) to be done

– Operationally, tasks are normally assigned to tactical units (squadrons, brigades, CVBGs, etc.)

• EBO theory is agnostic to the originator of action

Mechanism (Cause)

Action (Tasks)

Effect (Result)

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Direct & Indirect Effects

• Direct Effects result from (caused by) direct actions.

• Indirect Effects result from (caused by) indirect actions.

• Indirect actions may be the result of a (previous) direct effect.

Mechanism (Cause)

Direct Action (Tasks)

Direct Effect (Result)

Mechanism (Cause)

Direct Effect (Result) & Indirect Action

Indirect Effect (Result)

15

Complex & Cumulative Effects

• Complex Effects are a combination of effects, either direct or indirect, at an instant in time & space.

– Mechanism explains how these effect combine

• Cumulative effects are complex effects as viewed over some time interval.

– Effects do have persistence, though that generally varies

Direct Effect (Result) Indirect Effect (Result) Indirect Effect (Result)

Complex/Cumulative Effect (Result)

Mechanism (Cause)

16

Cascading Effects

• Cascading effects are direct, indirect, complex or cumulative effects that ripple through a system– Captures the notions of an acceleration or a

multiplier effect (from economics)– Requires a systems perspective: relationships,

dependencies, or connections between elements• Cascading effects can be vicious or virtuous but

which they are is point of view (POV) dependent– What’s bad for the bad guys is good from our POV

but bad from theirs– In a HUMRO, what’s good for the object of our

attention is good from our POV and theirs

17

Effects-Based Plan Representation

Objective

Indicator

Effect Desired

• direct effect• indirect effect• complex effect• cumulative effect

EBO Terms

Task/Activity

(Isolate the Battlefield)

(Deny Access)

(Mechanism)

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Indicators

• Are not effects

• Better to be observable then not but “not seen” does not mean “not there”

Win the War

Destroy Will Stop Second Echelon(Isolate the Battlefield)

Prevent RiverCrossing

(Deny Access)

DestroyFuel Res.

Carpet Bomb Drop Leaflets

DestroyBr1

DestroyBr2

DMPI 1 DMPI 2

Acceleration of Straggler Count

River Clear

Units in Bivouac

Traffic Density

Objective/Task/ActivityEffect Desired

Indicator

19

Strategy: Definitions

• The art & science of employing the armed forces…to secure the objectives of national policy by the application of force or the threat of force. [JP 1-02]

• A means1 to accomplish an end.[AFDD 2-1]

• The use of engagements for the object of the war.[Clausewitz]

• The art of distributing & applying military means2 to fulfill the ends of policy. [B.H. Liddell Hart]

• A plan of action designed in order to achieve some end; a purpose together with a system of measures for its accomplishment. [RADM J.C. Wylie]

1tool, implement 2resources

20

Strategy, Objectives & Effects

• Goal, Strategic Aim, End-State: the realm of policy—the decisive results– An end-state is the set of required conditions that achieve the

strategic objectives. [JP 3-0]

• Operational Art: determines where, when & for what purposes [why2]…forces will be employed– Use resources efficiently & effectively to achieve strategic

objectives [JP 3-0]

– Defines the parameters of operations (restraints & constraints) [FMFM 1-1]

• Effects: the result (outcomes) of direct actions (e.g., missions) and “indirect” actions (e.g., functions) [AFDD 2-1]

2rationale

21

Ends, Ways, Means, Risk

• Ends: What military conditions must be produced…to achieve the strategic goal?

• Ways: What sequence of actions is most likely to produce [those] condition(s)?

• Means2: How should resources…be applied to accomplish that sequence of actions?

• Risk: What is the likely cost…in performing that sequence of actions

[JP 3-0]

22

Strategy, CONOPS & COA

• A verbal or graphic statement, in broad outline, of a commander’s assumptions or intent in regard to an operation….It is included primarily for additional clarity of purpose. [JP 1-02]

– Commander’s Intent: end-state, purpose, method & risk

• A plan that would accomplish a mission. Includes CONOPS. Basis for the development of an OPLAN or OPORD. [JP 1-02]

– Tasks—work to be done—given to tactical (engagement level) units to accomplish.

23

Models

24

Basic Model

Actions cause..

…direct effects and...

..indirect effectsAttack

Fielded Forces &Selected

Infrastructure

Fielded ForcesIsolated; Supply &Logistics Reduced

BSALosses

AdvantageOver BiH

MECHANISM MECHANISM

Mechanism explains Cause..

BosnianSerbs

Accede toNATO’sDemands

MECHANISM

Key Requirements:1. Predictive Models (e.g., IPB, Adversarial)2. Common Ontology3. Robust MS&A (e.g., Wargaming)

Presenter
Presentation Notes
This is a build slide. The idea is to encapsulate the EBO concept on one slide. This is a real historical example from DELIBERATE FORCE (the air campaign against the Bosnian Serbs during Aug-Sep ’95). BSA = Bosnian Serb Army. BiH = Bosnia-Herzegovina Two other ideas worth mentioning: 1. From every study (e.g., SAB, DSB) done in the 1990's the same conclusion is drawn: US aerospace power capabilities outstrip our C2ISR capabilities. To a great extent, this was re-confirmed in ALLIED FORCE particularly concerning time critical targeting, battle damage assessment, and especially campaign or operational-level assessments. 2. Effects-based operations span the gamut of missions the USAF performs. As General Deptula's briefing ("Expeditionary Aerospace Operations") shows, even humanitarian relief operations (HUMRO) can be planned, conducted, assessed and sustained using the effects-based model. Indeed, doing so better lays out capability and means requirements.

25

Monitor Assess Plan Execute

Entities (Shallow Extraction)

Relationships(Intermediate Extraction)

Discovered & Inferred Knowledge

Events(Intermediate, Deep Extraction)

Level 0

Sub-object Data Assoc. & Estimation

Level 1

Object Refinement

Level 2 Situation

Refinement

Level 3 Impact

Assessment

Level 4 Process

Refinement

JIPB, ONA, PBA & EBO

DefineEnvironment

DescribeEnvironment’s

Effects

EvaluateAdversary

DetermineAdversary

COAsOER

Databases&

Sensors

Effects-based operations is the

‘engine’ that drives IPB, dynamic C2,

and ISR management.

Supports JP 3-56.1 Stage I: Operational Environment Research

AF/XO IPB White Paper

ONA: JIPB + COA Options (JFHQ Con. Of Employment)

PBA: JIPB + ISR Planning + ISR Management (PBA CONOPS)

Increased EmphasisOn PMESI SofS Analysis

Increased EmphasisOn Predicting Behaviors

FUNCTIONS SUPPORTED BY EBO

FUNCTIONS SUPPORTED BY DATA FUSION

Presenter
Presentation Notes
A recurring theme is the essential reliance EBO places on intelligence preparation of the battlespace (IPB). IPB is a rigorous analytical methodology that is focused on providing predictive intelligence to warfighters at the right time for use in planning and executing operations. The process provides a structured means to gain, correlate, and exploit information at all levels of war, supporting decision makers from the JFC down to a tactical entity. While the process is sequential, it is also continuous and cyclical. The four steps are define the environment, describe the battlespace’s effects, evaluate the adversary, and determine adversary course-of-actions (COA). Looking at the battlespace’s effects is a necessary step in determining whether the commander’s desired effect is attainable or not. Evaluating the enemy and estimating potential enemy COA might reveal the capacity and/or intention of employing a class of weapons that the commander might consider or such importance as to designate them as a TST/TCT. IPB might also reveal what isn’t known and hence the potential for targets to arise (emerge) during the course of operations. The Fusion/EBO framework in the background emphasizes how basic a capability they provide for IPB. Each one of the IPB elements depends upon information. Fusion engines provide such information from disparate data sources. Essential elements of enemy information include: adversarial intelligence collection capabilities, presence and intentions, critical information, and probable adversary knowledge. Finally, the slides shows an understanding of ONA and PBA based upon the shown sources. ONA & PBA share the core IPB processes. ONA and EBO share COA option development. PBA shares ISR planning with EBO.

26

Working Together

JBI

FusionEBO

EBO RequestsActionable Information

JBI Finds What’sKnown and TasksGeneration of New

Information

Fusion Engines & Fuselets Generate NewInformation & Pass to EBO

While the IPB process is sequential, it is also continuous and cyclical.

Presenter
Presentation Notes
This is a build slide. The sequence gives one manner in which the tools might work together in a generic way. The term “actionable information” is from Dr. Bob Herman’s “Fusion Development” brief. Not 100% sure what constitutes “actionable” but at least it must be context sensitive and presentable along with all its other attributes (e.g., timely, accurate, tailorable, etc.). Without elaboration, the EBO requests may be in the form of queries for archived or past information, or a subscription for future information. Likewise Fusion tools can create information regardless of tasking and publish that via the JBI. “Fusion engines” and “fuselets” are used to differentiate between “heavy” and “light” tools.

27

Combat

Campaign

2. Operations &AnticipatedResponses

Plan

Predicted Effects

Observed EffectsCombat

Campaign

3. ActualOperations(Target Set /

Target / DMPILevel)

4. ActualResponses

(COG/Target SystemLevel)

Assess1. DesiredBehavior

(COG/TS Level)

EBO Macro Model

28

Semantic Network

Approach to Modeling EBO

Size = Importance of NEV to National LeadershipThickness = Importance of Connection to other NEV

1

2

34

56

7

1. Leadership, 2. Industry, 3. Armed Forces, 4. Population, 5. Transportation, 6. Communications, 7. Alliances

StrategyObjectives

Resources

COG Analysis

Mechanism

StrategyObjectives

Resources

TGT Analysis

Mechanism

StrategyObjectives

Resources

TGT Analysis

Mechanism

COA

COA

COA

COA

COA

Objective

Tasks

Missions

Fig. 7: Modified JP 3-56.1 Campaign Planning Model

JP 3-56.1 Campaign Planning Model

Barlow’s “National Elements of Value” Model McCrabb’s “Enemy Reactions” Model

”Target"”Target"

Internal Model&

Library

Internal Model&

Library

Sensory Boundary

Adaptation Space

Input Process Output Outcome

InterveningVariables

Could

Should

Can

COGsLeadershipSystem EssentialsInfrastructurePopulationForces

LeadershipSystem EssentialsInfrastructurePopulationForces

LeadershipSystem EssentialsInfrastructurePopulationForces

Infrastructure’s COGs

The System Essentials of Infrastructure’s COGs

Warden’s “Enemy As A System” ModelTarget Systems

Target Sets

Effects Based Operations (DTO IS.71)

Presenter
Presentation Notes
We have leveraged a number of previously build operational models to help us generate a conceptual framework to build off of for this EBO program. The goal of the EBO model is to provide a framework that helps identify and predict how actions taken by our forces will lead to the direct and indirect effects we desire to defeat our enemy or perform our other missions. The EBO model leverages existing models used for planning, execution and analysis. It augments them to 1) support dynamic tasking across planning, execution and assessment; 2) explicitly incorporates a model of the enemy-as -a-system and enemy reactions and 3) supports economy of force through the specification and analysis of interconnections between target systems/COGS to determine indirect effects. This chart shows the models were are adopting. These four models are being combined to form an EBO meta- model. The first model is a slightly modified version of the JP 3-56.1 (C2 for Joint Aerospace Operations) Campaign Planning Model. It was augmented to include the specification of rationale and incorporates feedback loops for both combat and operational assessment in support of dynamic tasking. The second model leveraged is Warden’s “enemy as a system model”. This model is used for target set analysis based on the enemy’s vital center. It models the enemy as five concentric circles. The innermost circle is leadership and as one moves outward you encounter organic essentials “stuff that goes through the pipes”: power generation, industrial production, agriculture, infrastructure (the pipes: roads, railways, canals), population, and fielded forces. Each ring is itself composed of the same 5 circles (decomposition). The main set of rings constitute the enemy’s COG. The sub rings are called “target systems” and are further broken down into “target sets” which are used to identify specific targets. A key strength of the Warden model is the interdependencies. The 3rd model is Jason Barlow’s National Elements of Values model. This model is used to target those entities that most directly support the enemy’s ability or will to continue w/ it’s current behavior. This model weighs both the importance of the NEV and the link between the NEVs. The last model shown is McCrabb’s “Enemy Reaction” model. This model is used to identify how the enemy might react to an attack. The model breaks reaction into three cases: how the enemy should react, how the enemy can react, and how the enemy could react. All based on known and perceived capabilities.

30

Campaign Model

StrategyObjectives

Resources

COG Analysis

Mechanism

StrategyObjectives

Resources

TGT Analysis

Mechanism

StrategyObjectives

Resources

TGT Analysis

Mechanism

COA

COA

COA

COA

COA

Campaign/Objectives

Force/Tasks

Mission/Activities

Combat Assessment

Campaign Assessment

Modified from JP 3-56.1

Stage I: OER (IPB)

Presenter
Presentation Notes
The next layer of detail is based upon this Campaign Model found in Joint doctrine. The two modifications are making mechanism—the explanation of cause—explicit and separating campaign assessment from combat assessment. Note this model extends from the campaign level—the domain of Joint Force Commanders and component commanders—down to the tactical level. Note also this model applies to all instruments of military power: land, sea, aerospace, special forces, or information operations.

31

Barlow’s NEVs

Stage III: COG Identification

32

COGsLeadershipSystem EssentialsInfrastructurePopulationForces

LeadershipSystem EssentialsInfrastructurePopulationForces

LeadershipSystem EssentialsInfrastructurePopulationForces

Infrastructure’s COGs

The System Essentials of Infrastructure’s COGs

Warden’s “Rings” (Stage III)

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Those familiar with John Warden’s model recognize some of its limitations. It is included here to show one option for the COG analysis part of the concept.

33

AgentAgent

Internal Model&

Library

Internal Model&

Library

Sensory Boundary

Adaptation Space

Input Process Output Outcome

InterveningVariables

McCrabb’s Agent Adaptation Space (Stage I-V)

34

The (Almost) Complete Puzzle (Stage I-V)

Commander’s IntentObjectives/

Desired Effects(Stage II)

IPB Tools& Processes

EBO/DTTT&Ps

Enemy COA vs.Friendly COA

(Stage IV)COA Selected

Branch

Branch

Stage VWargaming

Presenter
Presentation Notes
The “Almost” reflects the imprecision in these concepts individually that will not get any better when they are put together. Everything starts from Commander’s Intent (CI): end state, purpose, method and risk. CI informs, directs, guides and feeds upon the processes, products and tools of EBO and IPB. The common elements between EBO and IPB are: they are heavily involved in prediction, they rely on the production, exploitation and dissemination of information to include tasking ISR assets to gain the required data, they focus on effects not actions, and they ultimately must deal with targets though such a designation has a considerably wider dimension than merely “points in three-dimensional space against which force will be applied.” Many targets acquire special designations, generally derived from CI. Among those are decisive points, HVT (high value targets), HPT (high payoff targets), TUT (targets under trees), and TST (time sensitive targets).

35

Effects-Based Planning

Identify PotentialStrategic COGs

Identify LinkedOperational Systems

Identify “Targets”Identify SpecificDesired Effects

Generate COA

Modified from Dave Deptula’s “Firing for Effect”

Supports JP 3-56.1 Stages II-V

Everything Starts from Commander’s Intent….

Presenter
Presentation Notes
In Firing for Effect then Colonel David A. Deptula outlined a framework for effects-based planning that is adopted here with some (believed) small, adaptation. IPB and EBO conduct COG and TSA from which specific targets are identified within each system. This remains the same in Deptula’s work. The small change adapted here is that in parallel with that analysis, EBO tools are turning objectives and overall desired effects (for example, disrupted TBM R&D) into more specific effects. This allows those charged with determining specific targets and weaponeering options to have guidance on which target/weapon pairing is most likely to produce the direct effects sought. Since indirect effects can only arise from some previous direct action, this small modification does appear crucial.

36

Cause (Mechanism) Events

Tasks

Conditions (End-States)

Indicators

Results (Effects)

Actions (Direct and/or Indirect)

=

=

Strategy (Ways, How): A Plan of Actions (Tasks) that employ resources (means, with)

To accomplish Ends (What)

What

Why

How + With, Who, Where, When

= COA

Effects & Operational Art

Presenter
Presentation Notes
“Operational art translates the JFC’s strategy into operational design, and, ultimately, tactical action, by integrating the key activities of all levels of war.” (JP 1-02, Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms) Operational art requires commanders to answer: what conditions must be produced to achieve the strategic goal (an end-state is the set of required conditions that achieve the strategic objective); what sequence of actions will most likely produce those conditions (ways; a COA is a plan of action that will accomplish a mission); what resources (means) are needed to accomplish the sequence of actions; and what are the likely costs or risks. (JP 3-0, Doctrine for Joint Operations) Joint doctrine uses “why” to explain rationale or purpose. EBO also uses “why” for mechanism (e.g., “Why this COA will achieve the required end-state.”). Results equate to conditions (what is wanted) and actions equal tasks performed by tactical units (I.e., how the results/conditions/end-state will be achieved). Indicators can exist at each point. Note that those at the action, tasks, and events level are normally associated with combat assessment while those at the mechanism, effects, and conditions levels are normally those required for campaign assessment.

37

Cause (Mechanism) Events

Tasks

Conditions (End-States)

Indicators(MeasuresOf Success)

Results (Effects)

Actions (Direct and/or Indirect)

=

=

What

Why

How + With, Who, Where, When

= COA

Planning (Stage V)

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Prediction (estimation or forecasting in a dictionary sense) is a planning task. It depends on IPB, especially for the prediction of mechanism. There are several tough problems on this slide. On one side, is the problem of determining what set of actions will achieve the desired effect. This is complicated by many things but especially the presence of uncertainty and multiple mechanisms when none are sufficient. On the other side is determining what set of conditions will produce the strategic goal. On both sides, these challenges multiply when one moves from the purely physical realm to the behavioral realm. As Joint doctrine points out, there are two general means for obtaining objectives by force: an imposed settlement and a negotiated settlement. Both are behaviorally-based. This extends to the operational level where the goal is often expressed in terms of getting enemy commanders to move from a mindset of gaining or maintaining gains to one of reducing or postponing losses. AFDD 2-1 uses measures of success and indicators interchangeably. This may be confusing when viewed in light of the definitions of standards and conditions found in Joint doctrine. There measures provide a means to describe how well the standard must be (the criterion) performed under specified conditions. As used here, indicators, by themselves, do not have the qualitative attribute “how well” in them. Better to think of an indicator as “what is measured” and leave the Joint definitions of standards and conditions alone.

38

Direct Effects Indirect Effects

Direct Actions Previous Effects

Cause

Complex Effects Cascading Effects

Cause

Other & Previous Actions

Effect Achieved

Effect Desired?Yes

No

Problem? Opportunity?

Re-Plan

Execution & Assessment

Indicators

Presenter
Presentation Notes
To reduce clutter, only the lines for indicators of complex and cascading effects are shown. The main challenge shown on this slide is determining how direct and indirect effects combine to form complex effects. By comparison, observing cascading effects is relatively simple. Another key point on this slide is not all occasions when the effect achieved does not match the effect desired is a “bad” thing. Based upon the uncertainty and possible lack of a sufficient cause mentioned previously, having plans work out better than anticipated is a real possibility, especially if the plan was based on a high degree of risk aversion. Adversaries are as prone to making mistakes as we are.

39

Adversarial Models

Display Solutions

Model Components,

Links, Processing to Validate

Improved Information

Representations & Multimodal

Displays

Improved Information

Representations & Multimodal

Displays

Selection of Application Area

Selection of Application Area

IntegrationIntegration

Requirements for Optimal Design & Employment of DF-based DAs

Requirements for Optimal Design & Employment of DF-based DAs

Prototype Development &

Tests

Prototype Development &

Tests

Characteristics of Improved Human

Performance

Characteristics of Improved Human

Performance

Dependencies & Vulnerabilities of

Human Aiding System Potential

Countermeasures

Dependencies & Vulnerabilities of

Human Aiding SystemPotential

Countermeasures

Characterization of Application

Environment

Characterization of Application

Environment

Research Specifications

Research Specifications

Necessary Characteristics for

Investigations

Dependencies & Vulnerabilities

Needing Support

Candidate DisplaysCharacteristics of

the Systems Improved Understanding of

Cultural Differences &

Effects

Improved Understanding of

Cultural Differences &

Effects

Applications of Human-in-the-Loop

Investigations

Applications of Human-in-the-Loop

Investigations

Vulnerable Process

Components

MOPs

Theoretical Understanding to Support Displays

Characterizations of Human

Dependencies & Vulnerabilities

Advanced Models of Complex, Dynamic Decision Making in

AADM/IO Environment

Advanced Models of Complex, Dynamic Decision Making in

AADM/IO Environment

Measures of Validation

Candidate DisplaysMOPs

Enhanced Operational Understanding to Improve Subsequent Design

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Initiatives in Aided, Adversarial Decision Making (1) Advances in understanding and modeling complex dynamic decision making (2) Advances in understanding of dependencies/vulnerabilities of Human and Systems to IO (3) Applications of Human-in-the Loop investigations (4) Improved techniques for information display (5) Understanding of cultural differences and their effects

40

Effects

Physicaldamage

(Enemy’s Available Military Worth)

Resolve ofEnemy’s

population

Enemy’s Will(Leadership)

Enemy MilitaryCR’s, CV’s & CC’s

EnemyPoliticalResolve

EnemyMilitaryWill

Nationalinfrastructure

EnemyCoalition

Unity

Enemy Regional andInternational

Support

Limited Occurrences ofCollateral Damage

Compoundingenvironmental factors

Each vector needs aconsistent scale or

traceable relationship

Big Picture

• EBO ATD seeks an integrated set of strategy, wargaming, COG analysis, and campaign assessment tools.

• Doctrinally sound; not dogmatically rigid

• Support EBO planning & assessment plus objectives-based or targets-based assessment

• Major Theater War => Humanitarian Relief; lethal & nonlethal; kinetic & non- kinetic (e.g., Info Ops)

41

EBO Toolkit of the Future for Dynamic Tasking

Campaign Planning& Assessment

Execution Planning

Combat Execution & Assessment

StrategyDevelopment:

- COA Develop- COG Analysis- Templates

Targeting(JTT)

Wargaming

MIDB

AssetPairing

AssetSourcing

AODB

Target Set Analysis

ISR Assistant

CampaignAssessment

BlueCOAs

IndicatorsEIPB

Commander’s Intent

BlueCOAs

Combat Assessment:Advanced Sensor Fusion

Observations

* Reference AFRL/AC2ISRC CONOPSfor Effects-Based Operations

DynamicAerospaceExecution

Order

SpecialInstructions

ExecutingUnits

OperationsController

OffensiveController

DefensiveController

TACSController

Presenter
Presentation Notes
This is our long range vision for implementing EBO through a dynamic tasking process. The process spans the phases of planning, execution and assessment. Note that assessment occurs during both planning and execution. The chart contains a number of tools and functions to make-up the process. The chart is color coded. Those blocks colored green are receiving the highest priority in this DTO with respect to funding and priority. Those blocks colored yellow are receiving funding for development to a lesser degree within the DTO. For the green blocks we are building prototypes and for the yellow-concept demonstrations. The blue block is an operational capability that we are leveraging and the grey blocks are necessary to meet our vision but at this point are not funded. We are however looking to leverage some ongoing work from various places to fill these blocks (e.g. LOCIS for AST/APT). The flow – The starting point is commander’s intent which includes the commander’s desired end state, method, purpose and risk. EIPB is Enhanced Intelligence Preparation of the Battlespace. This would feed the strategy development tool in order get the most up-to-date evaluation of the adversary. The SDT then decomposes the objectives of the commander’s intent into effects, mechanisms and actions that need to be taken to achieve the effects. This is done through COG analysis and strategy and mission templates. The result is a number of blue course of action options. Blue COAs are then assessed using CAT to determine and optimize the probability of successfully achieving commander’s intent. Once optimized and refined using CAT, blue COAs are sent to a wargaming tool where blue vs. red COA wargaming results in further blue COA refinement. The SDT then send required targetable actions to a targeting tool. Together with weapon asset sourcing and pairing capabilities, the targeting tool produces weapon-target pairing information such as the JIPTL. Mission and instruction data are combined into a continuously generated DAEO which schedules attack missions. This would replace today’s batch-oriented ATO generation process. The DAEO kicks off tactical level activities, that is the classic mission and engagement level actions. When execution commences, combat assessment information is sent back in the form of fused evidence to the CAT. Cat then conducts a reassessment of the campaign and dynamically replans the strategy if required. Difference between BDA (decision to re-attack) and CA (decision to restrategize) Summarize again exactly what part of this is being done under the DTO

42

EBO Key Products

• Strategy Development Tool

– produces blue COAs

– tightly integrates effects, center of gravity/target system analysis & strategy identification

– cross center of gravity interactions

– strategy & mission templates

• Campaign Assessment Tool

– predicts the probability of achieving

Commander’s intent for a blue COA

– model plan’s cause/effects relations

for a given campaign over time

– tradeoff analysis/drill down capability

Campaign Assessment Tool

Objectives Determination andCOG & Target Systems AnalysisObjectives Determination andCOG & Target Systems Analysis

Strategy Development Tool

Blue COA Probability of BlueCOA success

Presenter
Presentation Notes
As stated earlier, our immediate emphasis is on what we view as the two key elements of our EBO Dynamic Tasking Toolkit, a Strategy Development Tool (SDT) and Campaign Assessment Tool (CAT). SDT generates Course of Action options based on Commanders Intent. It does this by focusing on the effects required to achieve Commander’s Intent. It relates objectives to desired effects including indirect and cumulative effects. Center of Gravity analysis, Target System analysis and strategy identification are used to identify actions necessary to achieve the desired effects. The SDT also links COG analysis to wargaming. SDT will include both strategy and mission templates. These are plan skeletons that can be retrieved and reused for rapid plan development. Cross center of gravity analysis is an important attribute of the Strategy Development Tool. COGs today are generally analyzed in isolation. AFRL is developing means to address the impact of one COG such as transportation on another such as system essentials for example. We need to be able to answer the question, “How does a given COG influence other COGs within an enemy’s country IRS and IPB are drivers behind the Strategy Development Tool. Understanding the enemy & the battlespace are essential to predict how to the enemy should, could, or might react to our actions. CAT takes COAs and provides the likelihood (probability-based) of achieving the desired effects for each COA. The CAT tool models a plan’s cause and effects using causal modeling techniques (Bayes Nets). The CAT model is currently being enhanced to incorporate temporal representation. Indicators of effects will eventually feed CAT so that assessment could take place both during the COA planning phase and also dynamically as execution occurs.

43

Strategy Development Tool Overview

File Edit Tools Templates Missions Show Help

Legend

Objective

Effect

EffectIndicator

Task

Task/Activity

Mechanism

(Isolate the Battlefield)

(Deny Access)

Presenter
Presentation Notes
To further illustrate the Strategy Development Tool, this is a mock-up of what the front end GUI will most likely look like. The left hand side shows a tree view of the plan hierarchy. This decomposes plans starting with campaign plan, down to component plans, further down to objectives, then down to the effects needed to achieve the objectives including such things as direct, indirect and cumulative effects. The middle view here is used to graphically depict the causal relationship between effects, tasks and actions required to achieve effects and mechanisms. I mentioned mechanisms a few times. The are the explanation of causality between action and effects. For example if we took action to bomb a transformer site and the action resulted in the enemy acceding to our demands because they were without power, then the mechanism was that we disrupted their daily way of living to cause the effect we desired to achieve. The far right hand side shows an effect editor where effects are authored and edited. An underlying ontology is used to guide the constraints for defining effects.. This is also where COG analysis is initiated. The bottom screen shows a gant view. This shows the sequence of events over time. which will be used to eventually interface to a scheduler

44

Campaign Assessment Tool Overview

Build A Causal Model Compile to aBayes Net Analyze Results

(Isolate the Battlefield)

(Deny Access)

Presenter
Presentation Notes
To further illustrate the CAT, this shows a high level overview of what a user does and sees when using CAT. Through a GUI, the user first builds a causal model. Inputs specified include such attributes as effects desired (in this example we’ve built a plan from the red perspective) the objective or ultimate desired effect is to resupply POL, the object on which the effect is to be obtained is another input (in this example we want to resupply POL for the XVIII Airborne Corps) so the object of this effect would be the XVIII AC. Actions taken to achieve effects are also modeled. For example to achieve the effect of operating a road transportation system we need to maintain Routes 49 and 69 and the enemy needs to maintain a truck fleet and local air superiority so we don’t bomb the bridges. Indicators of effect are also specified. The example of an indicator shown here is “observe traffic flow”. What we call “mechanism” explains the cause and effect relationship. This is specified through the arrows between nodes. Also included as input are the persistence and delays associated with effects and the underlying conditional probabilities of the various events occurring. After the model is built using the GUI, the user then presses a button and a Bayes Net is automatically built. Bayes nets are complex diagrams that organize knowledge of a given area by mapping out cause and effect relationships among key variables and encodes them with numbers that represent the extent to which one variable is likely to effect another. Users then analyze results by studying probability profiles to see what the probability of achieving commander’s intent or the ultimate desired effect is over a period of time. The horizontal axis is time and the vertical axis is probability. Other graphical outputs are available to drill down to look at why the probability values are what they are and to conduct tradeoffs to impact overall probability. The idea is to modify the plan so that the success probability is maximized.

Red Decides to Terminate Hostilities

Red Decides to negotiate

Red Decides to use WMD

Probability ProfilesGMUGeorge Mason University

Blue Actions

Lead To

Influence Net

EXECUTABLE MODEL

COAs(actions/ times)

Indicator

IndicatorRed

Decisions

EBO Approach to Homeland DefenseEBO Approach to Homeland Defense

Military Action

DiplomacyFinancial

46

SDT: ATD vs. Objective System

Anticipated Capabilities• Limited coverage of

strategies, JFC/JFACC missions; Limited IW

• Limited COG/TS analysis; no Mission Analysis/Situation Development

• No COA analysis/comparison capability

• No JAOP development support past COA option development

• No CS (e.g., Logistics, Mobility), TACS, or Space considerations/Risk Analysis

Required Capabilities• Covers all strategy options• Covers all JFC missions (e.g.,

HUMRO, PK/PE, etc.)• Covers all JFACC missions

(e.g., CA, SA, CL, etc.)• Incorporates lethal/nonlethal,

kinetic/non-kinetic applications of force

• Supports Joint Air Estimate Process through JAOP development (JP 3-30)

• Supports JFACC Daily Guidance planning (JP 3-30)

47

Anticipated Capabilities

• Outcome assessment at Force and Campaign levels

• Limited ability to incorporate evidence

• Complete drilldown, predictive and reconstructive assessment

• Value-of-information ISO collection management and branch planning

Required Capabilities

• Predictive assessment ISO COA development

• Assessment of outcomes ISO Engagement, Battle, Force and Campaign execution

• Reconstructive assessment of outcomes ISO plan refinement

• Incorporation of all-source information

• Drilldown to action, causes, and mechanism level

CAT: ATD vs. Objective System

48

Summary

• Definitional issue only a start

– No approved dictionary let alone glossary or encyclopedia

• Ontology common to all applications

– A common task but a common ontology server

– Basis for library

• Not just EBO: IPB (Fusion), JBI, IW, TUT, TST, etc.

• Shared language essential to shared understanding

– Shared understanding alone insufficient

49

Operation ALLIED FORCE

50

Operation Allied Force EBO Example (1) (from DOD AAR)

Milosevic accedes to NATO’s conditions(total Desired Effect)

Air Attacks(Military Effect)

Russian Diplomacy(Diplomatic Effect)

Sanctions, etc.(Economic Effect)

Kosovar Albanian Attacks(Military Effect)

Buildup of NATO Ground Power(Military-Diplomatic Effect)

Solidarity of NATO(Diplomatic Effect)

Expanded on Next Slide

51

Operation Allied Force EBO Example (2) (from DOD AAR)

Milosevic accedes to NATO’s conditions(total Desired Effect)

Air Attacks on Strategic Targets

Air Attacks on Fielded Forces Targets

Air Attacks on National C2 Targets

Air Attacks on Military-Industrial Targets

Expanded on Next Slide

52

Operation Allied Force EBO Example (3) (from DOD AAR)

Milosevic accedes to NATO’s conditions(total Desired Effect)

Degraded National C2

Attacks on Infrastructure(e.g., bridges)

Attacks on Electrical Power(e.g., plants)

Degraded Abilityto C2 FRY Forces

Degraded Abilityto Resupply Forces

Desired MilitaryEffects

PhysicalActions

Degraded IADS

Attack Serbian AF(e.g., aircraft, airbases)

Avoid Serbian SHORAD(e.g., fly above)

Freedom to Attack

Desired PoliticalEffects