DSB task force finalizing study on countering anti-access systems

A Defense Science Board task force is meeting in closed session this week to finalize a study on "Countering Anti-access Systems with Longer Range and Standoff Capabilities," according to a Federal Register notice.

On Aug. 9, the DSB members will "deliberate and vote on the findings and recommendations from the 2017 DSB Summer Study on Long Range Effects," and on Aug. 11 will "present the final outbriefing of the Long Range Effects 2017 Summer Study Task Force to DOD senior leaders," the Aug. 8 notice reads.

As for the study itself, the notice states:

The objective of the Long Range Effects 2017 Summer Study Task Force is to explore new defense systems and technologies that will enable cost effective power projection that relies on the use of longer stand-off distances than current capabilities. System components may be deployed on manned or unmanned platforms with a range of potential autonomous capabilities. Use of cost reducing technology and advanced production practices from defense and commercial industry may be a major part of the strategy for deploying adequate numbers of weapons. This nine-day session will focus on coalescing all the information from briefings presented during the January, February, March, April, May, June and July meetings of the Long Range Effects 2017 Summer Study Task Force. The four panels (Architecture; Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance; Basing, Delivery, and Weapons; and Command, Control, Communications, and Cyber) will meet simultaneously to discuss topics and analyze data in support of the study.

The task force also met last week on the same topic, but "[d]ue to circumstances beyond the control of the Designated Federal Officer and the Department of Defense," DSB didn't provide a public announcement of the meeting, the notice reads.

Then-Pentagon acquisition chief Frank Kendall ordered the study in November 2016. Throughout his tenure, he publicly warned of China and Russia's increased investments in anti-access, area-denial capabilities intended to halt U.S. force projection.