29 May 2029, the Discovery Echelon of the 25th Scorpio Combat Regiment was able to shape the NIE through a raid of more than 150 km in depth... This fiction is conceivable if the 10 tanks necessary to supply the Griffins and Jaguars followed the imposed rhythm...

The support of a Scorpio force must adapt to three key factors: elongation, dispersion and concentration in an accelerated tempo. These are today's impossibilities and tomorrow's logistical challenges. It is therefore imperative to design the support of a Scorpion force in parallel with the timetable for its build-up.

To this end, COMLOG has set up a dedicated working group made up of 2 teams:
. Blue team: propose a model based on the current doctrine ;

. red team: propose an innovative model that ignores the existing logistics concept.

. blue team adapted the existing logistics model by increasing the flexibility and resilience of dedicated support at levels 3 and 4. At level 3, resilience is based on a Logistics Battle Group (LOG BG) permanently composed of joint and combined arms elements necessary for the safety of its deployments and movements. Under OPCON of a BIA-S (which becomes a logistics echelon), the LOG BG is characterised in particular by :

. the implementation of area CPs characterised by its mobility and a transfer of so-called "heavy" logistics operations to the theatre entry point ;

. better integration within the LOG WG of air assets (UAVs and helicopters) dedicated mainly to the health function. A LOG AMSMS is a possibility;

. a significant "logistics reservoir" capacity for forward support and a consequent increase in the support capacity for armoured vehicle mobility.

Depending on the nature of the operation and its environment, forward support (level 4), under OPCOM of the LOG BG, is made up of a set of logistics capabilities dimensioned in terms of force generation. In theatre, in planning or in conduct, new capabilities will be aggregated as necessary to forward support.

These will come from the LOG BG. A threshold level of capability is to be defined for a generic IATF-S and these capabilities will be included in the national emergency level (ENU).

In conclusion, this model does not require major organic adaptations but the logistical and joint means deployed in support of a Scorpion BIA are increased and require better armoured protection of the logistical vectors.

On the other hand, the model proposed by the Red Team is a highly decentralized logistics system that pushes modularity to the extreme. It is organized around a zonal support system that is constantly adapting according to the inter-service maneuver.

The logistic command system of an air-land force is based on a PC structured in three centres of expertise :

. the centre for the development of logistic knowledge which is in charge of intelligence of logistic interest ;

. the logistics engineering centre which designs the logistics manoeuvre, provides the best logistics response and proposes the deployment of ad hoc logistics structures ;

. the logistics forecasting centre, which focuses on anticipation and relies on simulation and operational research tools.

The logistics resources deployed will be able to arm known logistics structures (GSD, BATLOG, SGL, PSC...) but also new ones and in particular the autonomous logistics module, a key pawn of this new concept. This is a level 6 unit capable of integrating elements of the 6 logistic sub-functions contributing to direct support to the engagement: routing, MCO-T, medical support, oil support, SDC, ammunition support.

Its creation is a response to the dispersal capability of the SCORPION units. This entity also aims to optimise logistics resources by sizing support as precisely as possible. It will be subordinated to a level 5 LOG TAC PC for the duration of the manoeuvre. This TAC LOG PC will itself be able to order several modules and will be in permanent contact with the supported SCORPION units.

To conclude this model, the generalisation of delivery logistics and the systematisation of armour are imperatives and it is recommended to create a new model of reIt is recommended to create a new model of logistic re-engineering integrating the capabilities into 6 operational sub-functions contributing to the direct support to the engagement while integrating the elements currently constituting the TC2s.

The study under way within COM LOG therefore leads to two highly differentiated options for designing the logistic support of a Scorpion force deployed in operation by 2030. The work is continuing and the beginning of 2018 should make it possible to compare these models either using simulation tools or wargaming.