Updated April 13, 2021
The Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
The Significance of the Multi-Domain
What Is the Purpose of MDTFs?
Task Force
The first MDTF was created in 2017 as an experimental
Congress has expressed concern regarding the growing
unit at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington and
threat to U.S. national security posed by a resurgent Russia
participated in a variety of experiments and exercises to
and China. The Army contends in order to address this
both test its capabilities and develop requirements for
threat, it must be able to operate in a multi-domain [air,
equipment and units to be included as part of the MDTF
land, water, space, cyber, information] environment
force design. According to the Army, the MDTF’s purpose
which requires new operational concepts, technologies,
is
weapons, and units. The Multi-Domain Task Force
(MDTF) is the Army’s self-described “organizational
during competition, to “gain and maintain contact with
centerpiece” of this effort.
our adversaries to support the rapid transition to crisis or
conflict”;
What Is a Multi-Domain Task Force
(MDTF)?
during a crisis, to “deter adversaries and shape the
In the Army’s Chief of Staff Paper #1: Army Multi-Domain
environment by providing flexible response options to
Transformation Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict
the combatant commander”; and
dated March 16, 2021 the Army describes the Multi-
Domain Task Force (MDTF) as “theater-level maneuver
if conflict arises, to “neutralize adversary A2/AD
elements designed to synchronize precision effects and
networks to enable joint freedom of action.”
precision fires in all domains against adversary anti-access/
area denial (A2/AD) networks in all domains, enabling joint
MDTF Organization
forces to execute their operational plan (OPLAN)-directed
The diagram at Figure 1 depicts a notional generic MDTF:
roles.”
Figure 1. Notional Generic MDTF
What Is Anti-Access/ Area Denial (A2/AD)?
Anti-Access is defined as any action, activity, or
capability, usually long-range, designed to prevent an
advancing military force from entering an operational
area. Area Denial is defined as action, activity, or
capability, usually short-range, designed to limit an
adversarial force’s freedom of action within an
operational area. In terms of weapon systems, threat
A2/AD defenses are envisioned of being comprised of
layered and integrated long-range precision-strike
systems, littoral anti-ship capabilities, air defenses, and
long-range artillery and rocket systems.
MDTFs are intended to support freedom of action of U.S.
forces. MDTFs are to be scalable from operational to
strategic level and can be modified to support the needs of
Joint Force Commanders. MDTFs also provide supported
Source: Chief of Staff Paper #1 Army Multi-Domain Transformation
commanders the ability to plan, integrate, control, track,
Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict, March 16, 2021, p. 12.
and assess the effectiveness of joint counter-A2/AD
Notes: HIMARS: High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System presently in
activities.
use by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. While not explicitly stated,
the first Military Intelligence (MI) Company depicted is assumed to be
The Army intends for each MDTF to have an All-Domain
terrestrially-focused while the second Military Intelligence Company,
Operations Center (ADOC) to enable 24/7 monitoring of
based on its military symbol, is assumed to be space-focused.
adversary activities in all domains.
https://crsreports.congress.gov
The Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
The Army notes that each MDTF will be tailored to
According to the Army, MDTF-Europe is to support
Combatant Commander needs so, in reality, the notional
U.S. Army Europe and Africa. While much has been
MDTF in Figure 1 may contain more, fewer, or other types
said regarding the MDTF’s role in countering Russia
of units depending on the requirements of its assigned
and China, what, if any, type of role does the Army
theater of operations. In addition, the Mid-Range
envision for MDTF-Europe in relation to operations in
Capabilities (MRC) Battery and the Long-Range
Africa?
Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) Battery depicted in Figure 1
are not, at present, established Army units. The Army
Will any of the remaining three MDTFs be created in
currently plans to field its first MRC and LRHW units in
the Reserve Components (Army National Guard and
FY2023.
Army Reserve)? If not, what is the Army’s rationale for
not doing so?
Army Plans for MDTFs
The Army plans to build five MDTFs: two aligned to the
Where does the Army plan to station the remaining three
Indo-Pacific region; one aligned to Europe; one stationed in
MDTFs? What, if any, are the associated military
the Arctic region and oriented on multiple threats; and a
construction (MILCON) requirements?
fifth MDTF aligned for global response. At present, MDTF-
1 is headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord,
Aside from the Mid-Range Capabilities (MRC) Battery
Washington, and aligned to the U.S. Army Pacific.
and the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW)
Battery (not scheduled to be activated until FY2023),
Army Announces MDTF Stationing in Europe
what other new units are required to be formed as part of
On April 13, 2021, the Army announced it would station a
the MDTF? What are their roles and when will these
MDTF in Germany with an expected activation date of
units be operational? Do these units require specialized
September 16, 2021. MDTF-Europe is to support U.S.
equipment also in development?
Army Europe and Africa. MDTF-Europe is to be composed
of field artillery units; composite air and missile defense
As a theater and Combatant Command asset, how will
units; intelligence, cyberspace, electronic warfare, and
the MDTF operate in support of the Joint Force?
space units; and aviation and brigade support elements.
Soldiers assigned to MDTF-Europe and their accompanying
Assuming that future operations could also involve
family members are to be part of U.S. Army Garrison
allies, how does the MDTF support allies and coalition
Wiesbaden.
partners?
Potential Issues for Congress
Additional References
Potential issues for Congress include but are not limited to
CRS Report R46721, U.S. Army Long-Range Precision
the following.
Fires: Background and Issues for Congress, by Andrew
Feickert
How many soldiers will be assigned to a generic (as
depicted in Figure 1) MDTF? Will the Army request
CRS Insight IN11019, The U.S. Army and Multi-
additional endstrength to create MDTFs? If not, how
Domain Operations, by Andrew Feickert
will the Army acquire the soldiers needed for these new
units? Will the other Services have personnel assigned
CRS Report R46725, Joint All-Domain Command and
to MDTFs?
Control: Background and Issues for Congress, by John
R. Hoehn
With MDTF 1 currently operational at Joint Base
Lewis-McChord in Washington and MDTF-Europe
slated to become operational in September 2021, when
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
does the Army intend to “stand up” the three remaining
IF11797
MDTFs?
https://crsreports.congress.gov
The Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
Disclaimer
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF11797 · VERSION 3 · UPDATED