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minimal exposure. Seizing the initiative, going on the offensive, and stnK ing unexpectedly are the PHM’s decided advantages in any engagement- The diversification of our naval ca-
In narrow seas, where there is opportunity for rapid deployment and tactical surprise, both the PHM’s underway speed and the extremely brief plant light-off time pose advantages.
For example, the PHM can transit from her home port of Key West to the Windward Passage in little more than half a day, or to Havana Harbor in less than two hours, and have control of the time and place of a potential surface engagement.
Coordinated operations with aircraft can result in over-the-horizon targeting for the PHM—from fixed or rotary wing, land- or sea-based Navy or Air Force assets. This is important to consider, since the range of the Harpoon missile is quite a bit greater than that of the PHM’s active and passive sensors. A light airborne multipurpose system (LAMPS) Mk-III helicopter, for example, with its 160-nautical-mile radar horizon, operating from an Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7)-class guided
missile frigate, can make the PHM into a formidable force multiplier.
The PHM is a suitable, low-cost vessel for acting as a positive identification waypoint for friendly aircraft returning from airstrikes ashore, capable of self-defense and loitering on station, and adequately equipped electronically, needing only a minor upgrade in air control training. Air superiority is necessary in this scenario.
Based on unclassified reports of some of the Pegasus’s early transits, and more recent movements of all six PHMs throughout the Caribbean, the PHM combat radius is somewhere between 250 and 350 nautical miles, depending on whether the PHM is hull- borne or foilbome, on her activity once on station (engagement, loiter, tattletale), and on the at-sea fueling possibilities. Control of the seas throughout this radius is not envisioned, but certainly denial of such an area to an enemy is likely.
The accompanying map shows areas in the Caribbean where the PHM can conduct denial operations: from U- 6- naval installations (Guantanamo, R°°' sevelt Roads, Key West); from friend) countries where successful naval exercises have recently been conducted; °r from a mobile center of operations wi the participation of a support ship- What is the value of speed in this concept of operations? Speed enhances search and pursuit capabilities and the positioning for antisurface warfare strikes against naval or merchant targets with relatively high cruising speeds in their own right. Speed complicates the enemy’s fire control lem (tracking and classification). Spet enables the PHM to cover large areas and return to base after attack with
the use of an airborne spotter, especially one with capabilities. The advantage lies in the speed and range
of
the
- Geographic area surveillance (coastal, straits, narrow seas)
- Choke point interdiction
- Barrier patrol
- Sea lines of communication (SLOC) protection
- Surveillance of potentially hostile forces (Tattletale)
- Detecting and attacking enemy forces
- Detecting, tracking, and defending against local enemy air attacks
- Screening coastal convoys against surface attacks
- Screening large convoys during arrival/departure
- Special operations
Of these, the PHM can be put to best use in choke point interdiction, SLOC protection, and screening operations.
Choke point interdiction may be the ideal role for the PHM. This mission takes advantage of the PHM’s strengths and minimizes most of her weaknesses. In a typical scenario, a detachment of PHMs (typically one to three) would be assigned to patrol a strait or choke point, protecting friendly forces as they transit, and preventing hostile forces from using it. Depending on the choke point’s size, one or more PHMs might be on station in order to cover all navigable areas. Without other support— airborne spotters, for example—the PHMs would patrol in overlapping sectors, using radar. An alternative that might be used to surprise the enemy would be to patrol under electromagnetic radiation controlled (EmCon) conditions, relying on ESM intercepts. The PHM’s low profile when hullborne favors this tactic by reducing the enemy’s detection range.
When a target is detected, the PHM can either classify it
using ESM or go foilborne for visual confirmation. De, pending on the nature of the intruder, and the rules engagement then in effect, the PHM might respond anything from a warning to a Harpoon salvo. Against belligerent target, she would have to rely on her speed and agility, and her minor antiair warfare assets, \ protection. The emphasis in this scenario is on surpf1!> and speed.
Choke-point operations are significantly enhanced - 5 use of an airborne snotter esneriallv one with E-5 detection. After airborne ESM or radar intercepts, PHMs can close rapidly to the Harpoon’s maximum rall-L_ from their respective sectors. The aircraft could then coOf dinate a multiple-Harpoon time-on-target attack from 1 entire PHM squadron. The PHM’s lack of a Navy tactic^ data system (NTDS) requires that the shots be set up a° coordinated from the aircraft by voice.
Without air cover or larger friendly surface ships in 1 area, the PHM is vulnerable unless she strikes first al1 hard. Even with today’s radar, an adversary can be throv' into confusion by PHM operations at night—much 1 same as our torpedo boats operated during World War .
Depending on the choke point’s location, the PH^ would operate from an advanced base or mother ship- ' .. number of PHMs required to conduct these operations1 related only to the choke point’s width, or area, and 1 PHM crew’s endurance. On-station time would natural be extended by patrolling at the most economical hu borne speed. A ten-knot average would allow fuel t° seven days, which taxes crew endurance. However, actn
84
Proceedings / September
siles). Others have not (clandestine insertion of special warfare forces, search and rescue, planting sonobuoys). New developments should focus on those tasks that cannot be accomplished as efficiently by existing platforms. If the PHM cannot accomplish a new mission well, we should not expend efforts just for the sake of versatility.
By Commander Thomas H. Berns, U. S. Navy
The PHM has a solid mission. She is best used in a region which highlights her advantages, and does not stretch her to the limits of her shortcomings.
Commander Bems was graduated from the Naval Academy in 1968 and from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1969. He served in the USS Floyd B. Parks (DD-884) as Main Propulsion Assistant and Engineer Officer prior to attending the Naval Destroyer School. Subsequent sea tours included commanding officer of the USS Excel (MSO-439) and the USS Pegasus (PHM-1). Commander Bems recently completed a tour at the Naval Academy as Chairman of the Department of Leadership and Law. He is currently commanding officer of the USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7).
operatj
ipg a °ns have shown that the crew is capable of conduct- VVartimen~day m'ss*on—probably a more normal length in larger^ ^Pr‘nt and drift tactics would be used to cover further^atr0^ areas- Use °ftbe advance base or mother ship from b 'ncreases on-station time, by reducing transit time The pTf base t0 tbe patrol sector. l°ng rcan also operate in choke point areas as a Speed20^6 sP°tter f°r 3 shore battery of cruise missiles, targe,sand agility enable the PHM to detect and classify clear,. 0r tbe shore battery, and still be fast enough to an ij ? area before the cruise missile arrives on target— The^i SdUat*0n 'n areas where no air support exists. Key urn*ted States currently bases its PHM squadron in point 6St’ ^0Iada, where it is available to conduct choke- Tassag^31'0118 'n tbe Straits of Florida and the Windward equai| an advance base, these forces would be
the <5/ e^cct've in such strategic areas as the Skagerrak, StraitfaU °* Gibraltar, the Turkish Straits, the Tsugaru bodje’ 3ac* tbc Straits of Malacca—all relatively narrow large0 Water. The PHM would be less effective in very dom p ra*ts’ such as the Greenland-Iceland-United King- ^hok^’ °r tbe Korean Strait, increa 6 T°'nt °Perations alone build a strong case for The Pu lhe numbers of PHMs. i.e,(C also is well suited for SLOC protection— Close. 3Sta* sea'lanes as opposed to open-ocean sea-lanes. base Th Sea~janes allow the PHM to operate from a home is an6 Pr'mary method used to protect these sea-lanes t'°narvVer*a^'n® barr*er °f PHMs, which might be sta- convoyv °rer a certain area or move along the SLOC with a y! like a screen. This barrier is in place to protect
dmgs / September 1986
ships using the SLOC from a surface threat, and to some extent from an air threat coming from outside the barrier. This mission takes advantage of the PHM’s high speed and firepower. The PHM loiters in an assigned area along the SLOC, using her high speed to close on and identify possible hostile contacts. Again, depending on the rules of engagement, the PHM may use her Harpoon or guns to negate the threat.
These types of barrier operations are greatly enhanced by using aircraft as spotters. Since the PHMs are operating in coastal or adjacent waters, the aircraft would be land- based, freeing valuable sea-based assets for open-ocean escort. A squadron of PHMs could provide a moving screen completely along a coastal route or a given section of a SLOC. They could also provide protection while the convoy is entering or leaving port, or waiting in a marshaling area.
Screening of convoys, amphibious task groups, or battle groups is a much more complex mission, but— again—one suitable for the PHM. For this mission, the home base—in this case, a mother ship—is required to travel along with the convoy or battle group. The advantage in using the PHM in this role is that her high speed allows her to cover a large sector—an ideal use for sprint and drift tactics. The PHM can be used to sanitize areas ahead of the convoy, or operate along the axes of suspected surface threats. She offers a long-range probe capability when air assets are not readily available. In addition, her high speed allows her to move quickly to a launch zone for a multiple direction time-on-target Harpoon attack from various platforms of the battle group or screen- 85