military capability

The ability to achieve a specified wartime objective. It includes four major components:

a. (force structure) the numbers, size, and composition of the units that comprise the U.S. defense forces (e.g., divisions, ships, air wings.

b. (modernization) the technical sophistication of forces, units, weapon systems, and equipments.

c. (unit readiness) the ability to provide capabilities required by the combatant commanders to execute their assigned missions. This is derived from the ability of each unit to deliver the outputs for which it was designed.

c. (sustainability) the ability to maintain the necessary level and duration of operational activity to achieve military objectives. Sustainability is a function of providing for and maintaining those levels of ready forces, materiel, and consumables necessary to support military effort.

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.

(DOD) The ability to achieve a specified wartime objective (win a war or battle, destroy a target set). It includes four major components: force structure, modernization, readiness, and sustainability. a. force structure--Numbers, size, and composition of the units that comprise US defense forces; e.g., divisions, ships, air wings. b. modernization--Technical sophistication of forces, units, weapon systems, and equipments. c. unit readiness--The ability to provide capabilities required by the combatant commanders to execute their assigned missions. This is derived from the ability of each unit to deliver the outputs for which it was designed. d. sustainability--The ability to maintain the necessary level and duration of operational activity to achieve military objectives. Sustainability is a function of providing for and maintaining those levels of ready forces, materiel, and consumables necessary to support military effort. See also readiness.