Model of Operational Cohesion and Synergy Between the “Air/Aerospace Offense” and “Air and Missile Defense” Domains in Multi-Domain Operations

Abstract


Background and Purpose:
The growing complexity of modern multi-domain warfare—where military, cyber, and intelligence tools interact—requires enhanced coordination between offensive and defensive systems. As air and space become increasingly contested domains, operational cohesion between aerospace offense and air/missile defense is essential for achieving superiority. Leading military powers have prioritized integrated approaches to ensure synergy across these domains. This study seeks to design a cohesion-enhancing framework tailored to the operational structure of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, aiming to improve inter-domain coordination and maximize strategic effectiveness.

Methodology:
This research follows a developmental–applied purpose and adopts a descriptive–analytical mixed-method approach. The study population included 125 subject-matter experts from various branches of Iran’s Armed Forces. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews and researcher-designed questionnaires, incorporating both open-ended and closed-ended questions. The data were analyzed using SPSS software.

Findings:
The analysis identified six critical components that significantly influence operational cohesion between the aerospace offense and air/missile defense sectors: Integrated Command and Control, Mission Coordination, Information Synergy, Shared Threat Awareness, Overlapping Operational Domains, and Integration of Communication Systems. These components were ranked based on their impact and priority according to expert evaluation.

Conclusion:
To enhance inter-domain coordination, Iranian military leadership should adopt the proposed framework by developing joint command systems and establishing unified operational centers. Such measures can facilitate synchronized planning and execution of air and missile defense operations, aligning with global trends in multi-domain combat strategy.