The glass backbone: Why the Army's logistics will break in the next war (mwi.westpoint.edu)

Article summary

The US Army's logistics system is optimized for peacetime efficiency, but it will break in a large-scale war due to its inability to sustain combat power under persistent attack. The Army's focus on advanced firepower and combat vehicles has led to neglect of its logistical capabilities, making it vulnerable to operational culmination. The article argues that the Army must transition from a centralized hub-and-spoke sustainment model to a decentralized network of smaller, dispersed, and mobile nodes to survive in contested environments. This requires significant investment in camouflage, concealment, and deception, as well as organic defensive capabilities for sustainment forces.

Main themes

• Logistical vulnerabilities
• Military modernization
• Decentralized sustainment
• Peer conflict
• Industrial warfare
• Supply chain resilience

What commenters say

• The notion that logistics is a critical component of military success is often discussed but rarely reflected in budget requests or modernization priorities.
• A decentralized and fragmented system can make supply chains more resilient and adaptable in the face of disruption or attack.
• The use of a market-like system to allocate resources, such as the Ukrainian e-points system, can enable rapid experimentation and evolution of effective tactics and technologies.
• The reliance on foreign suppliers for critical components, such as electronics, poses a significant risk to military logistics and supply chains in the event of a conflict.
• Older technology, such as 2015-era chips, can still be effective in military applications, even if they are not cutting-edge.
• The development of domestic production capabilities for critical components is essential to reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and ensuring supply chain resilience.
• The use of neural networks and advanced technologies may become increasingly important in future drone wars, but current drones do not require cutting-edge technology to operate effectively.
• A conflict with China could lead to significant disruptions in global supply chains, particularly for electronics and other critical components.