Background Briefs are informal papers addressing a wide range of topics to include country profiles, military organizations, subject matter primers and history.

To order printed hard copies of these and other ILW publications send an e-mail to ILWPublications@ausa.org or call 800-336-4570, ext. 4630. Please provide your name, address, daytime number, the title and number of the publication you wish to receive and, if you are a member of AUSA, your member number.

 

★ ★ ★      2005      ★ ★ ★

Space Support Elements: Embedded Space Expertise in Army Modular Forces 
(Background Brief 105, November 2005) 

This Background Brief discusses establishment of an organic Space Support Element (SSE) in each of the Army Modular Forces headquarters, one of the steps to “operationalize space” into the Future Force as part of the Army’s Current to Future Force strategy. This action furthers the Army’s integration of space capabilities and operations into planning, exercises, training and all phases of combat operations. The SSE, as part of a joint theater space architecture, will become the focal point for maximizing space-related capabilities to operate as part of the full-spectrum Joint and Interagency Team.

The Army’s Interest in Space Control 
(Background Brief 104, November 2005) 

This Background Brief examines the Army's critical dependence on space capabilities to enable and enhance land warfare. Virtually every Army operation uses space capabilities. Today, space is used largely for its ability to enhance the effectiveness of combat forces, particularly in the areas of communication, navigation, locating and targeting the enemy, and anticipating weather. As a result, space capabilities that have an impact on the Army’s land warfare capability must be protected. Likewise, when critical to the military forces of the United States, such tremendous asymmetrical advantages must be denied to an adversary.

Future Combat Systems: Taking the Current Force into the Future 
(Background Brief 103W, June 2005) 

This Background Brief examines the Army's primary initiative to reduce or eliminate capability gaps in the Future Force. FCS, the centerpiece of DOTMLPF (doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leader development, personnel and facilities) solutions for the Future Force, is tied directly to achieving concepts and capabilities to meet the needs of the future Joint Force.

★ ★ ★      2004      ★ ★ ★

The Ballistic Missile Defense System: The Army Role in Limited Defensive Operations 
(Background Brief 102, October 2004) 

This Background Brief follows the development of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense element of the Defense Department's Ballistic Missile Defense System.

Integrating Global Capabilities for Joint Warfighters: Serving as Army Service Component Command to U.S. Strategic Command 
(Background Brief 101, October 2004) 

This Background Brief discusses the mission requirement to build, maintain and sustain U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (SMDC/ARSTRAT) as a fully capable Army Service Component Command for U.S. Strategic Command.

Army Space Forces—Enabling the Joint Warfighter 
(Background Brief 100, October 2004) 

This Background Brief examines the importance to joint operations of improved support and force enhancement capabilities provided by space-based assets. 

★ ★ ★      2003      ★ ★ ★

Missile Defense of the Homeland: Setting the Stage for Initial Operations
(Background Brief 99, December 2003) 

This Background Brief takes a look at the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) missile interceptor system, the role of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in its development, and the Army National Guard's mission of manning the Army portion of GMD and assisting with system testing.

Army Service Component Command Support to U.S. Strategic Command: New Missions for the 21st Century 
(Background Brief 98, December 2003) 

This Background Brief examines the role of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Strategic Command (SMDC/ARSTRAT) as the Army Service Component Command for U.S. Strategic Command, with particular focus on the Global War on Terrorism.

Army Space Support as a Critical Enabler of Joint Operations 
(Background Brief 97, December 2003) 

This Background Brief looks at how space capabilities have been integrated into joint operations at all levels (including Operation Iraqi Freedom) and now represent an indispensable component of the warfighting package. 

★ ★ ★      2002      ★ ★ ★

Computer Network Operations: A Critical Element of Current and Future Military Operations in Combating the Asymmetrical Threat 
(Background Brief 96, November 2002) 

This Background Brief takes a look at how technology extends warfare’s realm into space and cyber domains. Military operations are no longer limited to land, sea and air.

Space—A Key Enabler of Effective Land Force Operations 
(Background Brief 95, November 2002) 

This Background Brief looks at space capabilities as key force multipliers for land force operations and vertical extensions of the battlefield.

Toward Integrated Air and Missile Defense: Implications of the New Environment  
(Background Brief 94, November 2002) 

This Background Brief takes a look at how the Ballistic Missile Defense System, coupled with space systems, will directly enable the employment of the Objective Force on the Army’s future battlefields. 

★ ★ ★      2001      ★ ★ ★

 

Space and Missile Defense Challenges: Computer Network Operations—An Integral Part of Land Force Operations 
(Background Brief 93, December 2001) 

This Background Brief looks at computer network operations as an extension of the commander’s combat power. Their integration into military operations contributes to information superiority and full battlespace awareness.

Space and Missile Defense Challenges: The Potential of Directed Energy 
(Background Brief 92, December 2001) 

This Background Brief looks at Directed Energy systems, particularly lasers, as a "leap-ahead technology" that will have tremendous impact on the future Army.

Space and Missile Defense Challenges: The Army’s Role in This Nation’s Emerging Missile Defense Architecture 
(Background Brief 91, December 2001) 

This Background Brief looks at missile defense as a joint mission. The Army is the lead service and will operate the ground components, act as combat developer and is responsible for deployment planning and site preparation. 

★ ★ ★      2000      ★ ★ ★

Space and Missile Defense Challenges: The Potential of Directed Energy 
(Background Brief 90, December 2000)

This Background Brief looks at the implications for the Army of leveraging and exploiting Directed Energy.

Space and Missile Defense Challenges: Space Capabilities—An Integral Part of Land Force Operations 
(Background Brief 89, November 2000)

ThisBackground Brief examines the relationship between space operations and the U.S. military.

Space and Missile Defense Challenges: National Missile Defense—Protecting Our Nation 
(Background Brief 88, November 2000)

This Background Brief takes a look at the history of missile defense in the United States and options for the future.

Space and Missile Defense Challenges: Army Theater Missile Defense—Challenges for 2010 and Beyond; Progress and Change since Operation Desert Storm 
(Background Brief 87, November 2000)

This Background Brief looks at the evolution of theater missile defense from the Patriots of Desert Storm to the systems of joint theater air and missile defense that will take the Army to 2010 and beyond.

Healthcare in 106th Congress 
(Background Brief 86, January 2000) 

This Background Brief looks at the current state of military health initiatives on the parts of AUSA, Congress and the Department of Defense.