Anti-Access/Area Denial is a military strategy to control access to and within an operating environment. In an early definition, anti-access refers to those actions and capabilities, usually long-range, designed to prevent an opposing force from entering an operational area. Area denial refers to those actions and capabilities, usually of shorter range, designed to limit an opposing force's freedom of action within the operational area. In short, A2 affects movement to a theater, while AD affects movement within a theater. A2/AD typically refers to a strategy used by a weaker opponent to defend against an opponent of superior skill, although a stronger opponent can also use A2/AD.
An S-400 surface-to-air missile system can be used as an A2/AD asset.
The KD-88 anti-ship missile is part of China's A2/AD weaponry.
AirSea Battle is an integrated battle doctrine that forms a key component of the military strategy of the United States. The doctrine became official in February 2010, and was renamed to Joint Concept for Access and Maneuver in the Global Commons (JAM-GC) in 2015.
A United States Air Force Bomber Aircraft B-52 Stratofortress flying over United States Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Ronald Reagan during The Valiant Shield Exercise.