On February 28, 2023, the US and Israeli forces launched a coordinated campaign against Iran, marking a significant development in the use of cyber and space operations in modern warfare. The campaign, which involved multiple branches of the US military, including US Central Command, US Space Command, and US Cyber Command, as well as the Israeli Armed Forces, demonstrates the growing importance of integrating cyber and space capabilities into military operations.
At the heart of the campaign were non-kinetic effects, which refer to the use of cyber and electronic warfare capabilities to disrupt and degrade an enemy's ability to see, communicate, and respond. This was achieved through a range of technical means, including penetrating and mapping adversary networks, identifying command-and-control nodes, and positioning capabilities to degrade communications or air defenses. Additionally, space-enabled missile warning played a central role in countering Iranian retaliation, with space-based infrared satellites detecting and tracking ballistic missile launches.
The use of cyber operations in the campaign allowed the US and Israeli forces to gain a significant advantage over their adversary, enabling them to disrupt Iran's command-and-control structures and limit their ability to respond effectively. This was particularly important given the large number of targets involved, with over 1,000 targets engaged in the first 24 hours of the campaign. The synchronized launch of more than 100 aircraft in a single wave also highlights the complexity and scale of the operation.
The context for this campaign is rooted in the increasing tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran, which have been escalating in recent years. The use of cyber and space operations in this campaign reflects a broader shift in the nature of modern warfare, with non-kinetic effects becoming increasingly important alongside traditional kinetic capabilities. This trend is driven by advances in technology, which are enabling militaries to develop more sophisticated and effective cyber and electronic warfare capabilities.
The significance of this campaign extends beyond the immediate operational context, with implications for the broader aerospace industry. The use of space-enabled missile warning and cyber operations highlights the growing importance of integrating space and cyber capabilities into military operations, and demonstrates the need for continued investment in these areas. As the nature of modern warfare continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see an increasing emphasis on non-kinetic effects, with cyber and space operations playing a central role in shaping the future of military conflict.