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Updated November 5, 2021
The Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
The Significance of the Multi-Domain
both test its capabilities and develop requirements for
Task Force (MDTF)
equipment and units to be included as part of the MDTF
Congress has expressed concern about the growing threat to
force design. According to the Army, the MDTF’s purpose
U.S. national security posed by a resurgent Russia and
is
China. The Army contends in order to address the threat, it
must be able to operate in a multi-domain (air, land, water,
during competition, to “gain and maintain contact with
space, cyber, information) environment, which requires
our adversaries to support the rapid transition to crisis or
new operational concepts, technologies, weapons, and units.
conflict”;
The Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) is the Army’s self-
described “organizational centerpiece” of this effort.
during a crisis, to “deter adversaries and shape the
environment by providing flexible response options to
What Is a Multi-Domain Task Force?
the combatant commander”; and
In the Army’s Chief of Staff Paper #1: Army Multi-Domain
Transformation Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict
if conflict arises, to “neutralize adversary A2/AD
dated March 16, 2021 the Army describes the Multi-
networks to enable joint freedom of action.”
Domain Task Force (MDTF) as “theater-level maneuver
elements designed to synchronize precision effects and
MDTF Organization
precision fires in all domains against adversary anti-access/
The diagram at Figure 1 depicts a notional generic MDTF:
area denial (A2/AD) networks in all domains, enabling joint
forces to execute their operational plan (OPLAN)-directed
Figure 1. Notional Generic MDTF
roles.”
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
Source: Chief of Staff Paper #1 Army Multi-Domain Transformation
strategic level and can be modified to support the needs of
Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict, March 16, 2021, p. 12.
Joint Force Commanders. MDTFs also provide supported
Notes: HIMARS: High-Mobility Artil ery Rocket System presently in
commanders the ability to plan, integrate, control, track,
use by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. While not explicitly stated,
and assess the effectiveness of joint counter-A2/AD
the first Military Intel igence (MI) Company depicted is assumed to be
activities.
terrestrial y focused, while the second Military Intelligence Company,
based on its military symbol, is assumed to be space-focused.
The Army intends for each MDTF to have an All-Domain
Operations Center (ADOC) to enable 24/7 monitoring of
adversary activities in all domains.
What Is the Purpose of MDTFs?
The first MDTF was created in 2017 as an experimental
unit at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington and
participated in a variety of experiments and exercises to
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link to page 1 link to page 1 link to page 1 The Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
The Army notes that each MDTF will be tailored to
will the Army acquire the soldiers needed for these new
Combatant Commander requirements, so in reality, the
units? Will the other Services have personnel assigned
notional MDTF in Figure 1 may contain more, fewer, or
to MDTFs?
other types of units depending on the requirements of its
assigned theater of operations. In addition, the Mid-Range
With the 1st MDTF currently operational at Joint Base
Capabilities (MRC) Battery and the Long-Range
Lewis-McChord in Washington and the 2nd MDTF in
Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) Battery depicted in Figure 1
Wiesbaden, Germany, when does the Army intend to
are not, at present, fully established and equipped units. The
“stand up” the three remaining MDTFs?
Army currently plans to field its first MRC and LRHW
units in FY2023.
According to the Army, the 2nd MDTF is to support U.S.
Army Europe and Africa. While much has been said
First LRHW Unit Equipped
regarding the 2nd MDTF’s role in countering Russia and
On October 7, 2021, the Army announced it had started to
China, what, if any, type of role does the Army envision
equip its first LRHW unit—the I Corps’ 5th Battalion, 3rd
for the 2nd MDTF in relation to operations in Africa?
Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Field Artillery Brigade—at
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Equipment
Will any of the remaining three MDTFs be created in
delivered included a battery operations center, four
the Reserve Components (Army National Guard and
transporter erector launchers, and modified trucks and
Army Reserve)? If not, what is the Army’s rationale for
trailers. The fielding of the battalion is planned to be
not doing so?
completed in FY2023. The delivery of this initial
equipment set will permit soldiers to train on the equipment
Where does the Army plan to station the remaining three
and create doctrine for the system, as well as develop
MDTFs? What, if any, are the associated military
systems-related tactics, techniques, and procedures.
construction (MILCON) requirements?
Army Plans for MDTFs
Aside from the Mid-Range Capabilities (MRC) Battery
The Army plans to build five MDTFs: two aligned to the
and the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW)
Indo-Pacific region; one aligned to Europe; one stationed in
Battery (not scheduled to be fully activated until
the Arctic region and oriented on multiple threats; and a
FY2023), what other new units are required to be
fifth MDTF aligned for global response. At present, MDTF-
formed as part of the MDTF? What are their roles and
1 is headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord,
when will these units be operational? Do these units
Washington, and aligned to the U.S. Army Pacific.
require specialized equipment also in development?
Army Announces MDTF Stationing in Europe
As a theater and Combatant Command asset, how will
On April 13, 2021, the Army announced it would station a
the MDTF operate in support of the Joint Force?
MDTF in Germany with an expected activation date of
September 16, 2021. The Germany-based MDTF is to
Assuming that future operations could also involve
support U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Germany-based
allies, how does the MDTF support allies and coalition
MDTF is to be composed of field artillery units; composite
partners?
air and missile defense units; intelligence, cyberspace,
electronic warfare, and space units; and aviation and
Additional References
brigade support elements. Soldiers assigned to the
CRS Report R46721, U.S. Army Long-Range Precision
Germany-based MDTF and their accompanying family
Fires: Background and Issues for Congress, by Andrew
members are to be part of U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden.
Feickert
On September 16, 2021, the Army activated the 2nd MDTF
at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, initially consisting of a
CRS Insight IN11019, The U.S. Army and Multi-
headquarters element; an intelligence, cyberspace,
Domain Operations, by Andrew Feickert
electronic warfare, and space detachment; and a brigade
support company.
CRS Report R46725, Joint All-Domain Command and
Potential Issues for Congress
Control: Background and Issues for Congress, by John
R. Hoehn
Potential issues for Congress include but are not limited to
the following.
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
How many soldiers will be assigned to a generic (as
IF11797
depicted in Figure 1) MDTF? Will the Army request
additional end strength to create MDTFs? If not, how
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The Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
Disclaimer
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