What role does combat power play in LSCO?

Combat power is fundamentally linked to a unit's ability to deliver lethal effects against an adversary, which is why defining it in this manner is crucial for understanding large-scale combat operations. This concept encompasses not only the firepower available but also the integration of various elements such as maneuverability, command and control, logistics, and sustainment.

In the context of LSCO, effective combat power allows forces to achieve missions and objectives by applying lethal and non-lethal measures against enemy forces. It empowers commanders to make strategic decisions about how to deploy forces, allocate resources, and leverage technology to maximize operational effectiveness in multi-domain environments. Therefore, recognizing combat power as the capability to achieve decisive effects on the battlefield is fundamental to successful military operations.

The other options fail to capture the comprehensive nature of combat power. For instance, simply determining the size of military units overlooks the importance of how those units will engage in combat. Focusing solely on the range of operations limits the understanding of what combat power encompasses, while the notion that combat power only involves air strength significantly narrows down a critical aspect that includes land, sea, and cyber domains as well.