China’s Military: “Changes” of Combat Guidance, Revolution in Military Affairs, Achieving Superiority

中國軍隊:作戰指導“變”,軍事革命,取得優勢

現代英語:

At present, the war situation is evolving into an informationized war with intelligent characteristics, and the mechanism of winning the war has also undergone profound changes. Actively analyzing the new mechanisms of winning the informationized war, such as information dominance, overall linkage, precise energy release, and system destruction, and accurately revealing its internal laws, is of great significance for innovating the combat guidance of local informationized wars with intelligent characteristics.

The dominant factor for victory has shifted from energy dominance to information dominance, and combat guidance has shifted from focusing on manpower and firepower to focusing on “information + firepower”

Human warfare has gone through a long process from force dominance, firepower dominance to information dominance. In the agricultural era, wars were mainly won by human combat, and the combat performance was mainly a “physical battle” of conquering cities and territories. Force dominance was the basis for winning the war. In combat guidance, the size of the force was exchanged for the improvement of combat effectiveness, advocating more the better and using more to defeat fewer. In the industrial era, firepower gradually occupied a dominant position. The war was mainly manifested in a “firepower battle” to destroy the enemy’s war material base and annihilate the enemy’s living forces. Firepower dominance was the basis for winning the war. The mechanism for winning the war is to release energy from materials and win by scale. Therefore, in combat guidance, more emphasis is placed on concentrating superior forces and firepower to destroy the enemy.

In information warfare, information becomes the “blood” and “nerves” of the combat system, penetrating into all aspects such as reconnaissance intelligence, command and control, joint strikes, and comprehensive support. The combat is mainly manifested in “information firepower warfare”, and information dominance is the foundation for winning the war. At this stage, information concentration and information empowerment are important winning mechanisms. The integration of information and firepower has changed the traditional combat method of simply competing in scale and firepower, and greatly improved the speed and accuracy of firepower strikes. Whoever has a strong ability to obtain, process, transmit, use and control information, and whoever has a high degree of integration between information and firepower, will win the war. The result of information dominance is the precise focus and rapid release of firepower. Therefore, in terms of combat guidance, more emphasis is placed on gaining information superiority, paralyzing and controlling the enemy through information attacks and firepower strikes, and using information-led, “information + firepower”-based system confrontation advantages to gain combat victory. In the early morning of April 14, 2018, the US, UK and France dispatched an EA-6B electronic warfare aircraft to carry out “deceptive + repressive” interference on the Syrian air defense missile system, and launched 105 missiles in coordination, attacking and destroying many important targets in Damascus in the form of information firepower warfare.

The winning form has changed from force coordination to overall linkage, and combat guidance has changed from pursuing joint operations among various services to pursuing multi-domain joint operations.

Wars have always focused on winning with overall power. In mechanized joint operations, due to the constraints of information technology, the various forces cannot achieve a high degree of battlefield information sharing and common perception of battlefield situations. The combat functions of the army, navy, air force and other services are difficult to break through the constraints of spatial factors. The degree of jointness in operations is not high. Although there are joint combat forms, it emphasizes that two or more military forces cooperate with each other and work closely in different combat spaces, so as to achieve complementary advantages and coordinated attacks on the enemy. The winning form is mainly manifested in the coordination of forces. The combat effectiveness mainly depends on the extreme release of the energy of each combat force and the physical superposition of effects, and the pursuit is “linear concentration”. Therefore, in combat guidance, more emphasis is placed on implementing joint operations of various services in two-dimensional or three-dimensional spatial forces. Through careful pre-war planning and impromptu coordination during the war, various services and combat platforms can achieve strong coordination and cooperation to form overall power.

Informatized joint operations, the battlefield has expanded from land, sea and air to space, network and electronics, the combat domain has extended from the physical domain to the information domain and cognitive domain, the combat space is full and multi-dimensional, the virtual and the real are dependent and integrated, the action range of various services has broken through the inherent spatial limitations, and combat activities are no longer achieved by the various services in their own activity space through external coordination and cooperation with other services, but have evolved into breaking the boundaries between services and aggregating the advantages of each domain to achieve it. Overall linkage has become the basic form of victory. All combat forces have moved from simple “cooperation” to deep “integration”, and formed a combat system of “dispersed deployment in space, coordinated in time, and integrated in multiple domains in energy release”, which has changed combat actions from loose coordination and linear superposition of combat effects in the past to today’s overall linkage and amplification of combat effectiveness index, and finally achieved an asymmetric advantage over the enemy. Therefore, in combat guidance, more emphasis is placed on multi-domain joint operations, emphasizing the complementary advantages of cross-domain advantages and seeking overall combat advantages. It is mainly supported by the network information system, coordinating and utilizing multi-dimensional space combat forces such as land, sea, air, space, network and electricity to achieve the integration of air and ground, sea and air, and multiple forces, and highly integrating network warfare, electronic warfare, etc. with troop and firepower operations. It also relies on the system to quickly and accurately maneuver and concentrate forces to carry out concentrated energy strikes on important targets of the enemy’s combat system, transforming the information advantage, speed advantage and firepower advantage formed by the joint efforts of multiple domains into an action advantage to defeat the enemy and quickly achieve the combat objectives.

The winning method has changed from extensive energy release to precise energy release, and combat guidance has changed from seeking large-scale destruction and depletion of the opponent’s strength to seeking precise control of the battle situation.

During the mechanized warfare period, due to insufficient information acquisition capabilities and limited command and control means, there was a lot of “fog” in the war, and the low accuracy of weapons strikes led to the inability to effectively control energy release. Usually, carpet bombing and saturation attacks were used to increase the probability of killing, and the scale of troops and firepower was exchanged for the improvement of combat effectiveness. The winning method was extensive energy release, following the law of quantitative change to qualitative change. Therefore, in combat guidance, more emphasis was placed on consuming the opponent’s strength through large-scale killings and achieving strategic goals in exchange for military victory.

In the information warfare period, the “fog” of war still exists, but because information technology is integrated into the combat system, each combat system uses information to achieve real-time rapid response, which greatly improves the detection accuracy, positioning accuracy, and strike accuracy, so that the “fog” of war is minimized as much as possible. In particular, the development and application of network information systems have made it possible to make precise plans, select targets, use forces, strike at key points, make precise assessments, control actions, and provide precise guarantees. In combat, long-range precise strikes such as beheading, acupuncture, and surgical operations are usually used to directly hit the enemy’s key points. The winning method is mainly precise energy release, which follows the principles of systems theory and cybernetics. Therefore, in combat guidance, more emphasis is placed on elite troops and quick decisions, so as to achieve combat objectives at the lowest cost, fastest speed, and lowest risk. A small-scale precision combat operation may achieve the same combat effectiveness as a large-scale war in the past. In modern warfare, precision warfare is not only a military means of application, but also has important political significance, because human life, property and the environment on which human beings depend for survival can be protected as much as possible under this combat method, rather than using unlimited violence, making precise control of the battle situation an important combat guide.

The path to victory shifted from destroying the enemy and seizing territory to destroying the system, and combat guidance shifted from emphasizing annihilation warfare to emphasizing system destruction warfare.

During the mechanized warfare period, the way to win the war mainly depends on destroying the enemy and seizing the territory. The direct purpose of the war is to destroy the enemy, often by destroying a large number of enemy manpower, seizing or occupying enemy territory, and forcing the enemy to surrender. Therefore, in combat guidance, more emphasis is placed on the idea of ​​annihilation warfare. In the Battle of Verdun during World War I, the German and French armies deployed nearly 2 million troops, with more than 700,000 casualties, becoming a terrible “meat grinder”.

In the information warfare period, the destruction of the enemy’s manpower is still of great value in winning the war, and the number of casualties is still an important variable in the effectiveness and tolerance of war. In several local wars in this century, the US military pursued the so-called “zero casualties”, which also shows the sensitivity of casualties in war, and on the other hand, it also reflects the importance of destroying the enemy’s manpower. However, the connection and integration of information, the updating of weapons and equipment, and the improvement of combat methods have made the confrontation between the two sides manifest as a confrontation between systems. The overlap of tactical objectives, campaign objectives and even strategic objectives is getting higher and higher. The large-scale destruction of the enemy’s manpower is no longer a necessary condition for winning the war. The way to win the war usually relies on system destruction, and the direct purpose of combat is to scare and control the enemy. The side with system advantage mainly achieves victory in the war by precisely striking the key nodes and key systems that support the operation of the enemy’s war system and combat system. Therefore, in combat guidance, more emphasis is placed on the idea of ​​system destruction warfare, with information as the main guide and system as the support, and the enemy’s “Achilles’ heel” is precisely struck. Through the collapse effect of the system, the purpose of disintegrating the system and winning the hearts and minds is achieved. During the Kosovo War, NATO carried out air strikes for 78 days. The casualties of the Yugoslav army were not many, but because the high-value targets in the combat system, such as the command information system, transportation hubs, energy bases, and power facilities, were hit hard, the war potential of the Yugoslavia was greatly weakened, and the will of the military and civilians to fight was gradually destroyed, leading to the defeat of the war. The limited purpose of information warfare makes the warring parties usually directly target the weaknesses of the opponent’s system to carry out precise destruction, making small-scale and clever system confrontation operations more popular, with few casualties, but can also achieve combat objectives.

國語中文:

■李海濱 霍雲超

引言

當前,戰爭形態正演進為具有智慧化特徵的資訊化戰爭,戰爭制勝機理也隨之發生深刻變化。積極研析資訊化戰爭制勝所蘊含的資訊主導、整體聯動、精確釋能、體系破擊等新機理,準確揭示其內在規律,對於創新具有智能化特徵的信息化局部戰爭作戰指導具有重要意義。

制勝主導因素由能量主導向資訊主導轉變,作戰指導從注重兵力火力主戰轉變為註重「資訊+火力」主戰

人類戰爭經歷了從兵力主導、火力主導到資訊主導的漫長過程。農業時代的戰爭,主要依靠人力搏擊制勝,作戰表現形式主要是攻城略地的“體力戰”,兵力主導是戰爭制勝的根本。在作戰指導上,以兵力規模換取作戰效能的提高,主張多多益善、以多擊少。工業時代的戰爭,火力逐漸佔據主導地位,戰爭的表現形式主要是摧毀敵戰爭物質基礎、殲滅敵有生力量的“火力戰”,火力主導是戰爭制勝的根本。戰爭制勝機理是以物釋能、規模製勝。因此,在作戰指導上,更強調集中優勢兵力火力殲敵。

在資訊化戰爭中,訊息成為作戰體系的“血液”和“神經”,滲透到偵察情報、指揮控制、聯合打擊、綜合保障等各個環節,作戰的表現形式主要是“信息火力戰”,信息主導是戰爭制勝的根本。此階段,資訊聚能、資訊賦能是重要的製勝機理,資訊火力的融合,改變了單純拼規模、拼火力的傳統作戰方法,大大提高了火力打擊的速度與精準度。誰獲取、處理、傳輸、利用和控制資訊的能力強,誰的資訊與火力的融合度高,誰就能在戰爭中獲勝。資訊主導的結果是火力的精確聚焦與快速釋放。因此,在作戰指導上,更強調奪取資訊優勢、透過資訊攻擊和火力打擊癱敵控敵,以資訊主導、「資訊+火力」主戰的體系對抗優勢換取作戰勝勢。 2018年4月14日凌晨,美英法聯軍出動1架EA-6B電子戰飛機對敘利亞防空飛彈系統實施「欺騙性+壓制性」幹擾,配合發射了105枚導彈,以資訊火力戰的方式襲擊並摧毀了大馬士革許多重要目標。

制勝形式由力量協同向整體聯動轉變,作戰指導從追求諸軍兵種聯合作戰轉變為追求多域聯合作戰

戰爭歷來注重整體威力製勝。機械化聯合作戰,由於受資訊技術水準的製約,各力量之間不能實現戰場資訊高度共享、戰場態勢共同感知,陸、海、空等諸軍兵種的作戰功能難以突破空間因素制約,在作戰上彼此聯合度還不高,雖有聯合作戰形式,但強調兩個以上軍種力量在不同作戰空間相互配合、密切協同,從而實現優勢互補、協調一致地打擊敵人。制勝形式主要表現為力量協同,作戰效能主要依靠各作戰力量能量的極限釋放和效果的物理疊加,追求的是「線性聚力」。因此,在作戰指導上,更強調實施諸軍兵種二維或三維空間力量上的聯合作戰,透過戰前周密計劃和戰中臨機協同,使各軍兵種、各作戰平台得到有力的協同配合從而形成整體威力。

資訊化聯合作戰,戰場由陸海空向天網電拓展,作戰域由物理域向資訊域、認知域延伸,作戰空間全局多維,虛與實依存、融合,諸軍兵種的行動範圍已突破固有空間限制,作戰活動已不再是諸軍兵種在自身活動空間通過與其他軍兵種的外部協調聯合來實現,而是演變為打破軍兵種界限、聚合各域的優勢來實現,整體聯動成為製勝的基本形式。各作戰力量已從簡單的“聯合”走向深度的“融合”,並形成“空間上分散部署,時間上協調一致,能量釋放上多域一體”的作戰體系,使作戰行動由過去的鬆散配合、作戰效果線性疊加,變為現今的整體聯動、作戰效能指數放大,最終達成對敵的非對稱優勢。因此,在作戰指導上,更突顯多域聯合作戰,強調以跨領域優勢互補,謀求整體作戰優勢。主要以網絡資訊體係為支撐,統籌運用陸海空天網電等多維空間作戰力量,達成空地一體、海空一體、多種力量一體,網絡戰、電子戰等與兵力、火力行動高度融合,並依托體系快速精確機動聚力,對敵作戰體系重要目標實施聚能打擊,將多域聯合形成的資訊優勢、速度優勢和火力優勢,轉化為製敵的行動優勢,並迅速達成作戰目的。

制勝方法由粗放釋能向精確釋能轉變,作戰指導從謀求大規模殺傷消耗對手實力轉變為謀求精確控制戰局

機械化戰爭時期,由於資訊獲取能力不足,指揮控製手段有限,使戰爭中存在許多“迷霧”,加之武器打擊精度不高,導致能量釋放無法得到有效控制。通常以地毯式轟炸、飽和式攻擊增加殺傷機率,以兵力火力的規模換取作戰效能的提升,制勝方法屬粗放釋能,遵循的是由量變到質變的規律。因此,在作戰指導上,更強調透過大規模殺傷力消耗對手實力,以軍事勝利換取戰略目標的實現。

在資訊化戰爭時期,戰爭「迷霧」仍然存在,但由於資訊科技融入作戰體系,各作戰系統借助資訊實現即時快速響應,大大提高了探測精度、定位精度、打擊精度,使戰爭「迷霧」盡可能降到最低。特別是網絡資訊體系的發展運用,使精確籌劃、精選目標、精用力量、精打要害、精準評估、精控行動、精細保障成為可能。作戰中,通常以斬首式、點穴式、外科手術式等遠程精確打擊方式直擊敵要害,制勝方法主要是精確釋能,遵循的是系統論、控制論的原理。因此,在作戰指導上,更強調精兵精打、速決作戰,以最小代價、最快速度和最低風險達成作戰目的。小規模的精確作戰行動可能會達到以往大規模戰爭的作戰效能。在現代戰爭中,精確作戰不僅是一種軍事手段的運用,更具有重要的政治意義,因為人的生命財產和人類賴以生存的環境在這種作戰方式下可以得到盡可能多的保護,而不是無限制地使用暴力,致使精確控制戰局成為重要的作戰指導。

制勝途徑由殲敵奪地向體系破擊轉變,作戰指導從強調殲滅戰轉變為強調體系破擊戰

機械化戰爭時期,戰爭制勝的途徑主要靠殲敵奪地,作戰的直接目的是將敵人消滅,往往通過大量殲滅敵有生力量、奪取或占領敵方領土,迫使敵人從意誌上屈服。因此,在作戰指導上,更強調殲滅戰思想。一戰時期的凡爾登戰役,德法雙方軍隊共投入兵力近200萬人,傷亡人數達70多萬,成為可怕的「絞肉機」。

在資訊化戰爭時期,殲滅敵有生力量對戰爭制勝仍有重要價值,人員傷亡數字仍是戰爭效益和戰爭承受力的重要變數。本世紀的幾場局部戰爭,美軍追求所謂的“零傷亡”,也說明傷亡數字在戰爭中的敏感性,從另一方面也反映出殲滅敵人有生力量的重要性。但資訊的連結與融合,以及武器裝備的更新、作戰方法的改進,使對抗雙方表現為體係與體系的對抗,戰術目的、戰役目的甚至是戰略目的的重合度越來越高,大量殲滅敵有生力量不再是取得戰爭勝利的必要條件,戰爭制勝的途徑通常靠體系破擊,作戰的直接目的是懾敵控敵。具有體系優勢的一方,主要透過精確打擊支撐敵戰爭體系和作戰體系運作的要害節點和關鍵系統,癱體攻心奪志即意味著作戰的勝利。因此,在作戰指導上,更強調體系破擊戰思想,以信息為主導、以體係為支撐,精打敵“阿喀琉斯之踵”,通過體系的坍塌效應,達成瓦解體系、攻心奪志的目的。在科索沃戰爭中,北約實施了78天的空襲作戰,南聯盟軍隊傷亡並不多,但由於作戰體系中的指揮資訊系統、交通樞紐、能源基地、電力設施等高價值目標遭到重點打擊,南聯盟的戰爭潛力被大大削弱,軍民的戰爭意志逐漸被摧毀,導致戰爭失敗。資訊化戰爭目的的有限性,使得交戰雙方通常直接瞄準對方的體系弱點實施精確破擊,使小打、巧打的體系對抗作戰更加流行,人員傷亡很小,但同樣能達成作戰目的。

來源:解放軍報 作者:李海濱 霍雲超 責任編輯:劉上靖 2023-02-02 06:54:53

國防部原文來源:http://www.mod.gov.cn/gfbw/jmsd/4931741.html

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