Into the Deep: Special Forces and the Future of Large-Scale Combat

Modern War Institute  |  Charlie Phelps

US Army Special Forces must adapt to conduct deep area operations and deep strike to disrupt peer adversaries like China and Russia in future large-scale combat operations. By infiltrating denied areas to neutralize critical command-and-control nodes, logistics hubs, and air defense systems, these specialized units extend the joint force's operational reach.

This operational paradigm leverages historical unconventional warfare expertise to cultivate local resistance networks during competition phases before hostilities escalate. Integrating advanced technologies like semi-autonomous reconnaissance and attack drones allows small, isolated teams to generate disproportionate targeting data and precision effects. However, operating behind enemy lines in highly monitored environments introduces severe risks of technological compromise and limits traditional medical evacuation vectors. Ultimately, these high-risk deep operations remain essential to degrade sophisticated antiaccess and area-denial systems, enabling conventional corps to regain offensive momentum, exploit tactical opportunities, and secure strategic objectives.

Comment

Modern peer-adversary environments require a fundamental shift in special operations doctrine. Deep penetration missions will face unprecedented electronic surveillance and air defence networks. Success depends on the seamless integration of low-signature unmanned systems with local irregular forces. Conventional commanders must learn to synchronise these unconventional disruptions with main-force manoeuvres.

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