Tensor-Centric Warfare V: Topology of Systems Confrontation

In this paper, as a new contribution to the tensor-centric warfare (TCW) series [1] [2] [3] [4], we extend the kinetic TCW-framework to include non-kinetic effects, by addressing a general systems confrontation [5], which is waged not only in the traditional physical Air-Land-Sea domains, but also simultaneously across multiple non-physical domains, including cyberspace and social networks. Upon this basis, this paper attempts to address a more general analytical scenario using rigorous topological methods to introduce a two-level topological representation of modern armed conflict; in doing so, it extends from the traditional red-blue model of conflict to a red-blue-green model, where green represents various neutral elements as active factions; indeed, green can effectively decide the outcomes from red-blue conflict. System confrontations at various stages of the scenario will be defined by the non-equilibrium phase transitions which are superficially characterized by sudden entropy growth. These will be shown to have the underlying topology changes of the systems-battlespace. The two-level topological analysis of the systems-battlespace is utilized to address the question of topology changes in the combined battlespace. Once an intuitive analysis of the combined battlespace topology is performed, a rigorous topological analysis follows using (co)homological invariants of the combined systems-battlespace manifold.