LETHALITY IN WARFIGHTING

AY 25 - 26

Overview

Lesson Main Points

• Defining Lethality in the DAF Context
• Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO)
• Ethical Considerations of DAF Lethality
• Responsible Application of Force

Lethality in the DAF

What does it mean to be ‘lethal’ when it comes to the DAF?

Lethality in the DAF (cont)

Lethality defined:

The capacity of DAF capabilities (air, space, cyber) to create desired effects that influence, compel, or defeat adversaries.

Examples of Lethality

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Air: Precision strikes, air-to-air combat, close air support.

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Space: Counterspace capabilities (denial, disruption), enabling precision navigation and timing for lethal effects.

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Cyber: Offensive cyber operations to disrupt adversary command and control, infrastructure, etc.

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Forms and Application�of Lethality

Direct vs. Indirect Lethality:

• Direct: Physically impacting the adversary (e.g., bombs, missiles, kinetic cyber effects).
• Indirect: Creating effects that lead to the adversary's defeat without direct physical destruction (e.g., disrupting logistics, degrading communication, psychological operations enabled by airpower).

Targeting and the Kill Chain: The concept of the targeting cycle and how intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) feeds into the identification and engagement of targets to achieve lethal effects.

The Spectrum of Conflict: How the application of lethality varies across the spectrum of conflict, from peacetime deterrence to major combat operations?

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Example of Lethality

Lethality in Action

JADO

Joint Force actions in multiple domains integrated in planning and synchronized in execution, at the speed and scale needed to gain advantage and accomplish the mission (AFDP 3-0).

INTEGRATION

SPEED and

DECISION ADVANTAGE

CONVERGENCE

of EFFECTS

Ethical Considerations

of Lethality

What are some ethical considerations surrounding the application of lethality?

Ethical Considerations

of Lethality (cont 1)

Just War Theory (Jus ad Bellum - is it right to go to war and Jus in Bello - how should war be fought): The morality of going to war vs. the morality of conduct within war.

Ethical Considerations

of Lethality (cont 2)

Small Group Discussion (5-7 minutes): Divide students into small groups (3-4 people); 3–5-minute group share afterwards.

• Imagine a situation where a hostile nation is using cyberspace to disrupt critical US infrastructure (e.g., the power grid, financial networks). At the same time, they have deployed advanced surface-to-air missile systems that significantly limit US air operations in the region.

Given the lesson’s definition of lethality as "the capacity to create desired effects across all domains (air, space, and cyberspace) to influence, compel, or defeat adversaries," how should the DAF, working with joint forces, prioritize its actions to achieve national security objectives in this scenario? Specifically, how should the Air Force balance the use of its capabilities in different domains (air, space, and cyberspace) to:

• Neutralize the cyber threat?
• Overcome the enemy's air defenses?
• Ultimately compel the hostile nation to cease its aggression?

Responsible Application of Force Case Study

Importance of Precision

• DAF's focus is on precision targeting and minimizing collateral damage. Why do we want to do this?

Rules of Engagement (ROE)

• In the military (including the DAF) there are ROEs that must be followed. They govern the use of force. ROEs can be restrictive and are designed to ensure legal and ethical application of lethality.

Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC)

• The LOAC provides the legal framework for the use of force in armed conflict.
• Military Necessity
• Humanity
• Distinction
• Proportionality
• Honor

Responsible Application of Force Case Study (cont 1)

Small Group: 3-4 students each�Time: 5-7 minutes discussion (then 3-5 minutes for share-out)�Discussion Points. The case study is designed to prompt discussion and critical thinking about the following key issues:

• The Principle of Military Necessity. Is the use of lethal force necessary to achieve a legitimate military objective (saving the JSOTF forces)?
• Distinction. How to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants in a time-sensitive situation with limited information?
• Proportionality. How do you weigh the military advantage of neutralizing the insurgents against the potential harm to civilians?
• Rules of Engagement (ROE). How do the ROE constrain your actions, and how do you interpret them in this dynamic situation?

• Commander's Judgment. In a time-sensitive situation, commanders must make difficult decisions based on incomplete information. What factors should you consider?
• Risk Assessment. How do you assess the risks to both friendly forces and civilians, and how do you mitigate those risks?
• The Importance of Communication. What information do you need to communicate to the JSOTF commander, and what information do you need from them?
• Long-Term Consequences. What are the potential strategic and operational consequences of your decision, both positive and negative?

Summary

• Defining Lethality in the DAF Context
• Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO)
• Ethical Considerations of DAF Lethality
• Responsible Application of Force