The mosaic force design concept is more than just an information architecture. Mosaic offers a comprehensive model for systems warfare that encompasses requirements and acquisition processes; the creation of operational concepts, tactics, techniques, and procedures; and force presentations and force-allocation action, in addition to combat operations. Mosaic is not simply about quickly closing kill chains. The attributes of a mosaic force design can help increase the speed of action across the U.S. warfighting enterprise, whether it involves quickly responding to urgent new requirements, integrating innovative and out-of-cycle capabilities, or operational planning. The guiding principles and technologies that underpin a mosaic force design will help enable the United States to prevail in long-term competitions with great power adversaries.
Since a nation’s military backstops the political grand strategy of any great power, the United States must out-adapt adversaries who have, and will continue to adapt to, an obsolescing U.S. force design. That said, the United States can migrate to a more effective force design even as new elements are introduced to make it more effective in character and operational concept. What cannot migrate is resistance to a new way of war—a mosaic force design—within defense culture largely conditioned by an atypical era of absolute military dominance, permissive threat environments, and a lack of peer adversaries. Swift decisions are needed at the apex to align thinking and resources to the enablers of mosaic warfare.