http://www.jfcom.mil/about/experiments/mc02.htm
Millennium Challenge 2002 (MC02) is this nation's premier joint integrating event, bringing together both live field exercises and computer simulation July 24-Aug. 15, 2002. Sponsored by U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM), MC02 focuses on how a U.S. explores the military's ability to conduct Rapid Decisive Operations (RDO) against a determined adversary.
MC02 is a critical building block of future military transformation.
MC02 will incorporate elements of all military services, most functional/regional commands and many DoD organizations and federal agencies. The Secretary of Defense has directed that participants involve elements representative of their future force concepts such as the Air Force's Expeditionary Aerospace Force, the Army's medium-weight brigades and the Navy's "Forward From the Sea" vision.
What are the objectives of MC02?
MC02 will simulate a high-end, small-scale contingency that has the potential to escalate to a major theater war and:
-Determine the extent to which a joint force is able to implement the principles outlined in Joint Vision 2020 via the RDO concept through:
*Establishing and maintaining information/knowledge superiority
*Setting the conditions for decisive operations
*Assuring access into and through the battle space
*Conducting effects-based operations
*Sustaining itself as it conducts synchronized non-contiguous operations
-Develop improved joint training capabilities through experimentation efforts
-Develop goals and objectives for future USJFCOM transformation events
-Produce recommendations for current doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel, and facilities (DOTMLPF) in order to more effectively use our current major systems by developing and adapting a new set of principles.
What warfighter concerns are being addressed by MC02?
Given the capabilities of the joint force and a major regional threat in the 2007 period, MC02 will determine the extent to which we can:
-Set the operational conditions for Rapid Decisive Operations (RDO)
-Establish a knowledge network through concepts such as Common Relevant Operational Picture (CROP) and Joint Interactive Planning (JIP)
-Establish joint command and control (C2) functions and Joint Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JISR) capabilities
-Establish access and then sustain a distributed, non-contiguous operation without relying on fixed bases adjacent to the objective area
-Establish full-dimensional and time definite superiority for selected forces and actions within the battle space of the RDO
-Conduct simultaneous, joint tactical actions throughout the battlespace that are based on a shared understanding of both the tactical and operational situation.
How do experiments like MC02 apply to current operations?
Military experimentation is an ongoing process that improves our joint interoperability and allows more effective use of our resources. MC02 is designed to maximize our joint warfighting capability in this decade and minimize materiel adjustments to our current military resources. Insights gained over the past several years are already making a difference in our national defense; recent operations have demonstrated our enhanced joint interoperability.
How will this help transform the military?
Joint experimentation fosters an operational, decision-making culture in the defense of our nation by exploring the threats of tomorrow today. The basic premise is that critical decisions on future military doctrine, organization and technology should be based on solid empirical results. We are exploring the future of national defense in order to provide better information for national security decision makers. National defense transformation begins with aggressively setting the joint context for concept development and robust joint experimentation.