When is an Integrated attack typically employed?

An Integrated attack is typically employed when the opposing forces (OPFOR) have an overmatch in capabilities and can fully deploy their offensive combat elements. This situation allows the attacking force to effectively engage and exploit their superiority across multiple domains—land, air, sea, cyber, and space—all at once. The synergy created by integrating various elements of combat maximizes their effectiveness, leading to a significant tactical advantage.

In scenarios with overmatch, the attacking force can fully leverage their assets to create overwhelming pressure on the enemy, making it difficult for the opponent to respond adequately. This tactic also allows for efficient resource allocation and coordination among different combat elements, ensuring that weaknesses in the adversary’s defenses can be exploited thoroughly.

While challenges posed by evenly matched forces or complex environments might require different tactics, an Integrated attack specifically thrives in situations where the attacker possesses a clear advantage, enabling them to use their resources cohesively. Similarly, during a coordinated withdrawal, the focus would be on maintaining unit cohesion and minimizing losses, which is distinct from the proactive nature of an Integrated attack.