AUSA 2026: US Army Pacific and European commanders modelling OWA use

US commanders are exploring how to address ‘mass' on the battlefield, and studying use of platforms such as the LUCAS munition, shown here at a base in US Central Command's area. (US Department of Defense)

Commanders are modelling the use of one-way attack (OWA) systems – such as the LUCAS (Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System) long‑range loitering munition – and determining how to integrate and employ those systems.

That modelling, for example has explored “what it looks like to be able to penetrate a portion of the anti-access area denial [A2/AD] network in support of the joint task force in the in the PACOM [US Pacific Command] area of operations”, Major General Bernard J Harrington, commanding general of 7th Infantry Division / Multi-Domain Command – Pacific, said during 14 October remarks at the Association of the United States Army conference in Washington, DC.

“We started looking at, well, how do I … achieve mass on a cost curve. What effect am I really trying to achieve on a system in order to provide that window of opportunity for that joint force commander?” he said. “So maybe I don't necessarily need to sink a ship, but if I take out certain systems on that vessel, well then it creates this temporal window of opportunity, and then that joint force commander can surge in that carrier strike group or bomber task force.”

Maj Gen Harrington said the modelling showed “great value” in masses of OWAs, as friendly forces would not have to expend or unmask their more exquisite systems to strike targets.