https://crsreports.congress.gov
Updated May 31, 2022
The Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
The Significance of the Multi-Domain
Task Force (MDTF)
Congress has expressed concern about the threat to U.S.
national security posed by Russia and China. The Army
contends in order to address the threat, it must be able to
operate in a multi-domain (air, land, water, space, cyber,
information) environment, requiring new operational
concepts, technologies, weapons, and units. The Multi-
Domain Task Force (MDTF) is the Army’s self-described
“organizational centerpiece” of this effort.
What Is a Multi-Domain Task Force?
In the Army’s Chief of Staff Paper #1: Army Multi-Domain
Transformation Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict
dated March 16, 2021 the Army describes the Multi-
Domain Task Force (MDTF) as “theater-level maneuver
elements designed to synchronize precision effects and
precision fires in all domains against adversary anti-access/
area denial (A2/AD) networks in all domains, enabling joint
forces to execute their operational plan (OPLAN)-directed
roles.”
MDTFs are intended to support freedom of action of U.S.
forces. MDTFs are to be scalable from operational to
strategic level and can be modified to support the needs of
Joint Force Commanders. MDTFs also provide supported
commanders the ability to plan, integrate, control, track,
and assess the effectiveness of joint counter-A2/AD
activities.
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
both test its capabilities and develop requirements for
equipment and units to be included as part of the MDTF
force design. According to the Army, the MDTF’s purpose
is
during competition, to “gain and maintain contact with
our adversaries to support the rapid transition to crisis or
conflict”;
during a crisis, to “deter adversaries and shape the
environment by providing flexible response options to
the combatant commander”; and
if conflict arises, to “neutralize adversary A2/AD
networks to enable joint freedom of action.”
MDTF Organization
The diagram at Figure 1 depicts a notional generic MDTF:
Figure 1. Notional Generic MDTF
Source: Chief of Staff Paper #1 Army Multi-Domain Transformation
Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict, March 16, 2021, p. 12.
Notes: HIMARS: High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System presently in
use by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. While not explicitly stated,
the first Military Intelligence (MI) Company depicted is assumed to be
terrestrially focused, while the second Military Intelligence Company,
based on its military symbol, is assumed to be space-focused.
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.
