This monograph investigates Army involvement in space control capability development for the purpose of answering the question: Is Army investment necessary? The Army 's future force is highly dependant on information superiority to maintain land warfare dominance while transforming to an expeditionary, jointly interdependent force. Space control provides the assurance of access to the space-based capabilities enabling information superiority and denying the same to an adversary. The importance of space control capabilities to the Army requires a capability development approach that meets Army near- and long-term needs, supports joint interdependence, and is fiscally feasible. The scope of this monograph is limited to an analysis of the available options to meet these requirements. The three options for capability development explored are: 1) leverage the efforts of other Services, 2) focus on more conventional, terrestrial-based methods of space control against ground segments, and 3) develop and field capabilities within the Army. The analysis evaluates each option against the criteria of unity of effort, initial-entry force lethality and survivability, non-lethal capability, and information superiority. The analysis is framed within the context of a developed scenario and Army space control needs during the early stages of conflict as an expeditionary force. From this analysis, joint interdependence, in the near-term, does not allow for a completely passive approach by the Army. The importance of space control is accepted by all the Services however; service-unique requirements do not promote a common set of priorities in its attainment. Each option demonstrates different strengths and weaknesses against the criteria and the best solution is a melding of the three proposed courses of action. Successful harvesting of space control benefits by the Army is possible. Certain aspects of space control, especially in the areas of surveillance and prevention, are adequately addressed through the leverage approach. The ground approach provides a limited current capability in addressing protection and negation. Army capability development, however, is required in those areas, especially negation, where the Army 's priorities are out of phase with the Air Force and Navy. After evaluation of the Air Force 's Strategic Master Plan and determination of any unacceptable space control capability timelines, shortfalls for the ground force become Army priorities. In particular, the Army should seek proponency for non-lethal, temporary negation from the ground to space and actively seek interservice and interagency partnerships to defray the fiscal burden of cradle-to-grave development. The Army is transforming to a joint, expeditionary force with the potential to create a more efficient military force through elimination of redundant capabilities. Until joint interdependence realization, however, the Army must pursue those capabilities that ensure its effectiveness as part of an evolving joint team.

ADA 430501 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)