The second part of
The Arms of the Future is devoted to exploring the implications of the projected security environment for force design. Dr. Watling devotes
separate chapters to each component of a modern combined arms system. His task organization is illustrative but not prescriptive. Watling offers an inherently
integrated and mutually supported force design with four subsystems. The first is
the maneuver system, which the author tasks with reconnaissance, screening, and counterreconnaissance. The battle group he proposes for screening is comprised of four companies—support (including headquarters), reconnaissance, mechanized infantry and light cavalry. The second is
the fires system, comprised of four components—command and control, target acquisition, lethal fires, and nonlethal fires. For fires, Watling develops a formation with three layers: long-range rocket artillery, cannon, and loitering munitions. Third is
the assault system. Watling frames his design for this component on an urban assault battalion that has three armored assault companies, an engineering company, and a robotic autonomous systems company. Each assault platoon includes six vehicles—two tanks with smoothbore cannon (fifty-four tons or less) and active protection for kinetic vertical attack and four vehicles with 30- to 60-millimeter cannon for suppression and countering unmanned aerial systems. Finally, there is
the support system. This includes command and control, mobile combat support elements, force/hub protection assets, and electronic warfare and information operations resources.
At first glance, the lack of a system for command and control and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance seemed jarring. However,
the author argues that command is more of an enabling function and tied more to ensuring alignment, sustainment, and coordination. Here
the author embraces some insights from Exeter Professor Anthony King, who argued in
Command: The Twenty-First Century General for
less directive leadership models and for more distributed and participative decision-making.
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