Lightly Manned Autonomous Combat Capability (LMACC) Concept of Operations (CONOPS)

The following narrative is specifically reflective of the USMC's Force Design 2030.  LMACC is not specific to just this mission, however as the narrative shows it is a major contributor to many of the gaps needing solutions in the current USMC concept. In no way does the following narrative bound events in a way that these are the only ways in which complex adaptive systems of opposing forces might emerge.  It does however, aid in demonstrating the added variety which LMACC and its variants, and sentinel MUSVs might provide the Marine Littoral Regiment with advantage in a fight.

To improve readability, this CONOPS document will follow a narrative structure outlining a very challenging mission profile, although the unit organization must be laid out first. This scenario begins after the Chinese have captured a section of an island chain and follows a combined arms unit of LMACCs, Medium Unmanned Surface Vessels (MUSVs), and Marines as they retake the island chain, capture a blockade runner, repel probing attacks, and then blunt a major counterattack lead by a Chinese carrier.

Additional narrative CONOPs will be developed as part of this project's evolution, with other centers of gravity being the central themes around which events call for the many different capabilities of LMACC.

For further information, please use your CAC card to read the full narrative, or contact Dr. Gallup at spgallup@nps.edu for more information.