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The Battleship Battle Group: Defeating the Air Threat
By Lieutenant Commander John D. Furness, U.S. Navy
Current United States maritime strategy calls for a strong global fleet built around carrier and battleship battle groups. As a born-again tactical entity, the battleship battle group makes a major contribution to sea control, power projec- l|on, naval presence, and nuclear deterrence missions. It is capable of deploying 'n a variety of scenarios as a rapid, powerful response to national policy requirements—with or without the protection of an aircraft carrier.
Critics have hypothesized that a battleship battle group operating independently "'Quid be unable to meet antiair warfare ('\AW) requirements because of its lack °f organic tactical aircraft (TacAir). i A properly configured battle group, however, given the proper supporting Assets, can fight and win throughout the sPectrum of the AAW battle. Careful Consideration of the following factors is Squired if a battleship battle group operating autonomously is to mount a suc- j ^ssful antiair defense: i * Composition of the battle group
- Establishment of a layered antiair defense
- Use of the Aegis system, and new threat upgrades (NTU) to existing combat direction systems
- Use of land-based tactical aircraft to support maritime operations
- Resolution of joint interoperability and connectivity issues.
The battleship battle group: Composition of the battle group is driven by the need for a balanced force able to conduct antiair, antisubmarine, antisurface, and strike warfare. The /ovra-class battleships are the most heavily armed ships in the world, and the mix of combatant surface escorts should be chosen to supplement the battleships’ superior capabilities and offset their limitations. (See Table 1.)
The escort most essential to the battle group is a USS Ticonderoga (CG-47)- class Aegis cruiser. Its modem, computer controlled weapon system and embarked LAMPS-1II helicopters are of the utmost importance to the battle group commander in establishing his antiair warfare defense. If a hostile aircraft must close within the Aegis cruiser’s 100 nautical mile surface-to-air missile envelope to deliver its ordnance, the cruiser’s unique AAW capability should ensure a high kill probability. The CG-47 class is a true force multiplier and gives a battle group commander the required AAW framework upon which to build a successful, layered antiair defense.
Layered Defense: To intercept and destroy incoming missiles or aircraft throughout the spectrum of AAW, the battle group requires a layered defense
Critics contend that a battleship battle group operating without air cover is a sitting duck. Tactical air support is essential to counter massed air attacks but a battle group steaming independently can defeat low- to medium-intensity attacks with its own modern antiair weapons.
Number | Table 1 Type | Battleship Battle Group Special capabilities | Mission |
1 | Battleship | LAMPS-I, Tomahawk | ASUW, Strike |
1 | Aegis cruiser | 2 LAMPS-III. Tomahawk | AAW, ASUW, ASW, Strike |
1 | DD-963 (Spruance) | LAMPS-III, SQR-19, VLS | ASW. ASUW |
1 | DDG-51 (Burke)* | Tomahawk, VLS | AAW. ASUW, Strike |
3 | FFG-7 (Pern’) | LAMPS-III, SQR-19 | ASW, ASUW, AAW |
1 | Attack submarine | Tomahawk, Harpoon | ASW, ASUW, Strike |
1 | AOR-l ( Wichita) | 2 CH-46 | Replenishment oiler j |
*One Kidd (DDG-993)-class guided-missile destroyer with LAMPS-I, Tomahawk, and VLS can be substituted for the DDG-51 until these ships are operational. | |||
Notes: antisurface warfare (ASUW). antiair warfare (AAW). antisubmarine warfare (ASW), vertical launch system (VLS) for Tomahawk or ASROC. ; |
with hard- and soft-kill weapons. In a low to medium density AAW environment for example, the battle group is capable of a sustained and potent defense. Airspace in this scenario can be controlled out to extended ranges—even without TacAir— by means of the battle group’s organic long range surface-to-air missiles, the Aegis cruiser, additional combat direction systems with new threat upgrades, and LAMPS-1II helicopters in the airborne early warning role. If the cruiser does not destroy or neutralize all incoming targets, Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG- 7)-class frigates or Spruance (DD-963)- class destroyers will add the second layer of defense to pick up the “leakers” with shorter range surface-to-air missiles, each capable of destroying targets at 30-35 nautical miles. The last layer in the antiair defense consists of hard- or soft-kill close-in weapons such as the Mk 15 Phalanx, chaff, and flares.
In a high density air attack however, time is critical to the survival of the battle group. Surface-ship defenders must engage enemy aircraft and missiles at maximum ranges to ensure attrition. Hostile aircraft whose air-to-surface missiles outrange the battle group’s surface-to-air missile defenses present the most formidable threat. A massed strike launched outside friendly engagement envelopes poses a difficult problem to even the best of layered defenses. Correct threat assessment, appropriate reaction, and efficient weapons management will take time, even with the Aegis system. TacAir can buy the battle group this time by engaging the enemy beyond the battle group’s missile engagement zone—but only if it is on station when needed.
Tactical air support of maritime operations: Tactical aviation is a necessity to ensure autonomous battle group survivability when the enemy attacks with large numbers of bombers capable of launching multiple antiship cruise missiles from long range. TacAir support for a battleship battle group can come in many forms and from a variety of sources; support from a carrier is the most logical choice. But a battleship battle group operating autonomously beyond the range of carrier-based TacAir can request support from U.S. and allied land-based TacAir as it passes through predesignated areas. This concept, commonly referred to as tactical air support of maritime operations (TASMO), could be the key to the successful employment of the battleship battle group in the execution of a national maritime strategy.
TASMO services are requested by the appropriate unified commander and provided by any service component as the battle group passes through a predesignated area. Aircraft will be in direct support of the officer in tactical command, normally the battle group commander, but the individual component commander in support of the TASMO service will decide on allocation and mission priorities.
A battle group departing San Diego, California for operations in the Persian Gulf could preplan and implement TASMO protection from, successively:
- U.S. Pacific Fleet assets at Naval Air Station Miramar, California
- U.S. Air Force assets at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
- Combat air patrol protection from a U.S. carrier battle group west of Guam
- U.S. Air Force tactical air services from Clark Air Force Base in the Phil- lipines
- Fighter support from Royal Air Force (U.K.) forces in Singapore.
Tactical air can defeat the enemy air threat and enable the battleship battle group to operate effectively—if the joint or combined forces can resolve the inevitable coordination problems.
Attaining the desired level of interoperability depends on joint procedures, coordination, and practice, rather than on technology. At the fleet level. Allied Tactical Publication (ATP)-34, “Tactical Air Support of Maritime Operations, prescribes the doctrine. This classified NATO publication discusses command and control, organization, concepts of operations, message formats, communications, and terminology.
ATP-34 has built-in problems for fleet users. Procedures prescribed are cumbersome, nonstandard, and too complex; d contains unusable voice procedures, unfamiliar terminology for pilots and air controllers, and slows down the coordination. In addition, because NATO procedures are not always applicable to our Pacific Fleet, detailed planning and coordination is imperative.
Another document is available for use by battle group planners —Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Publication 12, vol. D’ “Tactical Command and Control Planning Guidance and Procedures for Joint Operations,” which outlines procedures for coordinating the air effort in a joint operation and establishes a standard format for the exchange of information during the tasking process. Land-based atf support is not specifically addressed u1 this publication, but it can serve as a valuable adjunct to ATP-34, which is already in most fleet libraries. Fleet operators must become more familiar with ATP-34 and recommend the revisions needed for it to become a workable document.
A few notes on TASMO: First, coordinating TASMO aircraft from multiple sources and multiple bases can add a neW dimension to surface warfare capabilities' but only continued training will produce results in combat. Second, allocated TacAir assets must not only be dedicated and scheduled, they must be on call as the battle group passes through a designated area. Finally, the requirement for aeria1 refueling aircraft—tankers—is implied in tactical air support of maritime operations. Tanker support is vital to mission success and must be included in every phase of planning and execution. Without tanker support, TacAir becomes a shod range, short duration, limited asset. When the low fuel light comes on, pilots get concerned about finding a place to land—so they can fight again another day.
Joint interoperablity and connectivity■ The battle group TASMO concept has the potential for success as long as the join1 or combined forces can operate together- When TacAir support comes from assets external to the U.S. Navy, interoperabd' "y becomes an issue.
Interoperability is defined as ‘‘the abil- "y of systems, units or forces to provide services to and accept services from other systems, units or forces and to use the services so exchanged to enable them to operate effectively together.” What this means is:
' Face-to-face planning and coordination between the players
' Compatible equipment and procedures ' Standard language and message for- 'nats to ensure that information can be
exchanged
' Standard operating procedures and Protocols for information exchange purposes
Simply stated, only effective planning simple, common procedures at the unit level will ensure successful TASMO operations. At a minimum, common frequency guidelines, authentication materi- S' and classified keylist coordination must be promulgated well in advance of Planned operations.
Antiair warfare as an asset: Antiair Warfare for the battleship battle group is a manageable problem. But to survive in today’s era of high speed, long range and extremely destructive offensive air- launched weapons, the battle group must have the correct mix of ships and a preplanned, well rehearsed system of layered A AW defenses. There is no doubt that the most effective use of naval fire power is to employ a battleship battle group with a carrier battle group for integrated battle force operations. The capability of the carrier’s combat-air-patrol aircraft to destroy hostile aircraft and missiles far from the force make this symbiotic relationship a highly desirable option.
But even when separated from the carrier’s protective air umbrella, the battleship battle group can use its organic capability to operate and survive in low and medium air threat situations. It is in the high threat environment that land-based TacAir will be essential to fight the outer air battle.
In the future, our worldwide naval commitments are certain to increase while fiscal constraints continue to frustrate our strategic and tactical planners.
Use of the battleship battle group in scheduled and contingency deployments is a viable option for those grappling with the problem of how to relieve our dwindling carrier force from seemingly ever- increasing global commitments. The battleship and her high technology escorts are a strategic and tactical force to be reckoned with and battleship sailors are tackling perceived antiair warfare limitations head-on to improve capabilities. Innovative use of battle group assets, layered defenses, well-rehearsed combat system teams, and genuine, long duration, multiservice TASMO can give a battle group the firepower required to fight and win in a modern, high threat environment.
Commander Furness is a naval aviator and has served with the LAMPS community since 1977. While embarked in the USS Doyle (FFG-39), he deployed with the USS Iowa's (BB-61) Battle Group to the Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic. He wrote this while attached to the Naval War College, Newport. Rhode Island.
Antiship Missiles for U.S. Navy Helicopters
. The United States Navy is almost alone ln >ts lack of helicopterborne antiship m>ssiles, which are employed by a large growing number of allied and Third w°rld nations. Small antiship missiles aUch as the Sea Skua have been carried by ritish Navy Lynx helicopters for some lme and growing numbers of navies are moving toward equipping their helicop- ,Crs with more potent weapons. France’s pUper Frelon is armed with the AM-39 x°cet; the British advanced Sea King Carries two Sea Eagle missiles, as does he EH-101; the Italian SH-3 carries two ea Killer Mk II missiles, and even the ndian Navy flys a Sea King with two Sea Eagles. The United States Navy is clearly n°t on the leading edge of these developments.
The Navy and Marine Corps team delays hundreds of helicopters around the 'v°rld and it is building more at a rapid mte—AH-lWs, SH-60Bs, SH-60Fs. The hlions of dollars invested in these helicopters, however, has not translated into ne ability to threaten Soviet surface action groups. Soviet naval units need ayoid only a handful of carrier battle 8r°Ups, remain beyond Harpoon range, and count on outrunning our nuclear at- ck submarines. Otherwise, the Soviets can operate their entire surface fleet with near total impunity. What would arming our naval helicopters with antiship missiles accomplish? It would debilitate the Soviets tactically, strategically, economically, and psychologically.
Although an all-out war at sea with the Soviets is an unlikely scenario, it is one we must be prepared for. Fortunately, in preparing for this scenario with missile- equipped naval helicopters, we are also preparing for our most likely combat scenarios: low intensity conflict with Third
The U.S. Navy is missing a bet by failing to arm more of its seagoing helicopters with air-to-surface missiles. The SH-60B LAMPS-III fired its first Penguin missile late in 1989, years after the missile was available.
World littoral nations, many of which also employ modern precision guided munitions. The well-publicized Persian Gulf performance of the U.S. Army’s Task Force 160 helicopters, which were armed with only rudimentary air-to- surface weapons, gives some indication of the potential of ship-killing naval helicopters.
As currently configured, how capable is a battleship battle group of retaliating against a Third World patrol boat that attacks a frigate on the periphery of the group and then speeds away? What is the risk involved in a Third World small combatant firing an infrared homing surface-to-air missile at an unarmed U.S. Naval helicopter closing to short range to make a night time visual identification? In failing to merge two of our most powerful and promising technologies are we sending our troops on one-way missions with absolutely no power to retaliate? Does an unarmed naval helicopter really have any tactical utility in today’s fleet?
It was the 1980s before the naval helicopter emerged from the backwaters of technological innovation. Far from being on the cutting edge, the naval helicopter community prior to this decade was on a very dull edge indeed. Low budget priorities begot antiquated gear, which resulted in peripheral missions for helicopters—which put the community in the back of the line for emerging technology. Today this situation has been reversed. Our modem helicopters are now poised on the cutting edge of military technology that has given them the potential to prevail tactically.
Putting air-to-surface missiles on U.S. helicopters has been discussed for years. The process is now underway but progress has been slow. Watching the tortuous process that the LAMPS-III system’s SH- 60B has gone through as we try to equip it with the air-to-surface Penguin missile has caused many to question the seriousness of our intent. Although the Penguin missile was available when LAMPS-III entered the fleet in 1983, it was not until 1989 that an SH-60B fired a live Penguin. Now the program has shrunk to the following dimensions:
- 28 SH-60Bs will be configured to carry Penguin
- 200 Penguin missiles (AGM-119) will be purchased
- 39 Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7)-class frigates will be configured to handle the missiles
- The system is scheduled to begin entering the fleet in 1990
What does this relatively slow progress in the SH-60B and Penguin program portend for other naval helicopters? Do antiship missiles on helicopters represent gold-plating or do they fulfill a critical requirement?
The arrival of helicopterbome antiship missiles has been delayed for many reasons, some of them good and sufficient. When confronted by the technical sophistication, size, speed and reliability of many of today’s U.S. Naval helicopters, it is difficult to remember that we have only very recently reached this impressive plateau. Helicopters have been at sea since the late 1940s, but equipping them with technologically advanced antiship missiles was not feasible until recently. Insufficient power was the major reason— H-34s on the carriers struggled to do the search and rescue mission; the SH-3 was tethered to the inner zone; the SH-2 series has always pushed the limits of maximum gross weight and has had significant reliability problems for many years; early CH-46s and CH-53s were underpowered and had austere avionics. In short, the potential weapons carriers had trouble fulfilling their primary mission, let alone trying to do it with a heavy missile strapped on. The technology of the era was unpromising to say the least.
The antiship missiles then available were about as far from the leading edge of technology as the helicopters; they were heavy, inaccurate, and incompatible with the helicopters. They were a long way from looking like an idea whose time had come.
Perversely, Soviet submarine technology mitigated against arming helicopters with antiship missiles. The astounding growth of the Soviet submarine fleet and its rapidly emerging technical sophistication presented the U.S. with compelling technical challenges and antisubmarine warfare became priority number one throughout the fleet. If your operational requirement was not related to ASW, it did not get much of a hearing in the E-ring of the Pentagon. Technological priorities given to ASW at the expense of other programs reached extreme proportions. In the late 1970s in the Mediterranean, SH-2F aircraft aboard Knox (FF- 1052)-class frigates conducting real world ASW operations had the latest systems—towed array sonars, acoustic prediction systems, new sonobuoys—but navigated over vast ocean expanses with a grease pencil and a PT-429 plotting board salvaged from old P-2V Neptunes.
These factors—underpowered, low- technology helicopters; heavy, low- technology missiles; and the diversion of leading edge technology to ASW—made it illogical to press on with serious attempts to outfit our helicopters with antiship missiles. This situation persisted into the early 1980s but now has changed significantly.
The U.S. Navy has undergone such a tremendous growth in size, technological sophistication, sustainability, and personnel stability that what was unthinkable 15 years ago, impossible ten years ago, and uncertain as little as five years ago, >s now compelling.
First, metallurgy, aerodynamic, flig*11 control, avionics, and manufacturing technologies have put us firmly in the big helicopter business. The 11-ton SH-60B is the follow-on to the six-ton SH-2F. The maximum gross weight of the CH-53E is an incredible 73,000 pounds. Large helicopters with lots of power and excellent growth potential are attractive candidates for missiles.
Second, today’s helicopters art’ equipped with sophisticated avionics an sensors that make them compatible wit modem antiship missile technology. Radar, forward-looking infrared, identification friend or foe, and electronic warfare suites contribute to finding and destroying ships. Table 1 lists nava helicopters currently in the U.S. inventory that are capable of carrying at leas* one type of antiship missile.
Third, perhaps the fastest growth in the defense industry has been in precision guided munitions. Antiship missiles are lighter, longer-range, and pack more punch than ever before. Table 2 list* western air-to-surface missiles that com be readily adapted to U.S. Navy helicop ters. These missiles—representative oj a wide spectrum of weight, lethality, gul ance systems, and modes of operation-^ provide numerous options for the heh copters listed in Table 1.
As modem surface combatants have grown in technical complexity and so phistication, vulnerable topside radars, sensors and systems have proliferated- Ships are so dependent on these that even an antiship missile with minimum punc can turn a warship into a blinded non combatant.
It would seem then, that the case f°r helicopterbome antiship missiles is ,n deed a compelling one. But would the combination really make a difference- The Soviet Navy is overwhelmingly me world’s largest and it possesses many more surface combatants than the ne* several navies combined. While U-b- sea-based tactical aviation could over whelm even the mightiest Soviet surface action group, what is the real magnituo of our seaborne tactical aviation capab* ity? The Soviets face a worst case see nario of only about two dozen vessels > our almost 600-ship Navy that can launc ’ aircraft armed with antiship missiles. A we making it too easy for them?
Tactically, the case for equipping °u naval helicopter forces with antiship rms silcs, in large numbers, is clear cut. A J U.S. surface combatant capable of em
Table 2 | Air-to-Surface Missiles |
| |
| Range | Speed | Weight |
Missile | (NM) | (MACH) | (LBS) |
AM-39 Exocet | 27-38 | 0.9 | 1,444 |
Anti-Navire Legere | 16 | 2.0 | 424 |
AS-11 (AGM-22B) | 1-2 | 0.6 | 66 |
AS-12 | 2-3 | 0.6 | 166 |
AS-15TT | 8 | 0.4 | 211 |
Harm (AGM-12) | varies | 2.2 | 798 |
Martin Pescador | 1-5 | 2.3 | 309 |
Maverick | 5.4 | 1.5 | 635 |
Penguin (AGM-119) | 14 | 0.8 | 749 |
Sea Eagle | 60 | 0.8 | 1,325 |
Seakiller | 11-13 | 1.9 | 661 |
Sea Skua | 8 | 0.8 | 325 |
Sidearm (AGM-122A) | 9 | 2.3' | 195 |
*From Norman Friedman’s Guide To World Naval Weapons Systems (Annapolis. MD: Naval Institute Press, 1989).
The lightweight AS-15TT antiship missile—here, fired from an SA 365F pauphin II developed in the mid-1970s—is carried by naval helicopters *n France, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
Table | Naval Helicopters* |
| |
| Weight | Speed | Endurance |
Helicopter | (LBS) | (KTS) | (HRS) |
UH-1N Iroquois | 10,478 | 110 | 2.0 |
AH-1W Sea Cobra | 9,979 | 180 | 2.0 |
SH-2F Seasprite | 12,773 | 143 | 2.5 |
SH-3H Sea King | 20,460 | 144 | 4.5 |
CH-46 Sea Knight | 22,963 | 144 | 2.0 |
CH-53D Sea Stallion | 41,910 | 170 | 3.5 |
CH-53E SuperStallion | 73,389 | 170 | 4.5 |
SH-60B Seahawk | 20,757 | 150 | 4.5 |
SH-60F Oceanhawk | 21,835 | 150 | 5.0 |
*From Couhat, J.L. and Prezelin, B., ed.. English Language edition bv A.D. Baker 111, Combat
barking a helicopter becomes a launch point for a helicopter equipped with a deadly weapon.
Psychologically, a U.S. fleet with several hundred ships carrying antiship missile-equipped helicopters, would put extraordinary pressure on the Soviet Navy. Every sortie would be high risk. A navy forced to operate under those conditions would cease to be an instrument of national policy—it would become an extraordinarily expensive liability.
The concept of deploying antiship missiles aboard U.S. Navy helicopters is new enough that its success could be imperilled by a disjointed approach to fleet introduction. While they cannot guarantee success, several initiatives could hasten the successful deployment of helicopter- borne antiship missiles throughout the U.S. fleet:
- Naval planners must clearly define the roles and functions of armed helicopters.
- Helicopterbome antiship missiles should be introduced into our war games.
- The Navy should signal its willingness to move forward with helibome anti-ship missiles to industry.
- The Navy must take a realistic approach to fielding these weapons in the fleet. It is unrealistic to try to arm every helicopter.
- Priorities must be established for the fleet introduction of antiship missiles.
The effects of glasnost and perestroika on the Department of Defense weapons procurement efforts promise to significantly proscribe our ability to introduce totally new weapons systems into the fleet. More utility will have to be garnered from existing weapons systems. U.S. Naval helicopterbome antiship missiles clearly have the potential to deliver more return for a very limited additional investment. Wc must marry these two existing technologies and prove their operational utility.
The Navy must move out more smartly than it did with the SH-60B and the Penguin missile. We must encourage our manufacturers to direct their energies towards producing even better systems for this mission. Without discounting the importance of the many other missions carried out by our naval helicopters, we must recognize that possessing the capability of striking the enemy fleet is the very essence of seapower.
Commander Galdorisi commands Light Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HSL)-41 at NAS North Island, California. He has served in LAMPS squadrons on both coasts and commanded HSL-43. He most recently served as executive officer of the USS New Orleans (LPH-11).
Naval Control of Shipping: A Reserve Mission
By Lieutenant Joseph DiRenzo III, U.S. Naval Reserve
who
ists, but retired U.S. Navy captains
“The NCS [Naval Control of Shipping] organization operates in a vacuum. Most of the active duty Navy doesn’t know we exist,” said Vice Admiral Paul D. Butcher, U.S. Navy, at the 1989 National Naval Control of Shipping commander’s conference.1 Vice Admiral Butcher is Commander, Military Sealift Command and is assigned additional duty as the Chief of Naval Operations’ assistant for Naval Control of Shipping (OP- 06N).
A poll conducted by the author at the Naval Base Norfolk, Virginia; the submarine base at Groton, Connecticut; and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis confirmed that most respondents were unaware of the large, well-trained Naval Control of Shipping Organization, ready to be activated in time of war or national emergency.
What is this organization that no one seems to know about? First, a brief history, since the idea of controlling and protecting merchant shipping is hardly new. Nations engaged in ocean trade have for centuries realized the importance of controlling and protecting their merchant ships on the high seas. Convoys, often accompanied by an armed escort vessel, were the result.
While merchant ship convoys prior to the twentieth century were an attempt to protect trade, the advantages of convoying during wartime became evident to the United States during World War I, although the country was involved directly for a relatively short time. Even so, the United States was ill-prepared to control and protect merchant ships when it entered World War II; more than 250 merchant ships were lost to German U-boats off the East Coast and in the Caribbean during the first six months of 1942. After the United States instituted convoys, merchant ship losses were sharply reduced.2
During the early days of U.S. involvement in World War II, the U.S. Navy established several organizations to control and protect merchant shipping. These were the forerunners of today’s Naval Control of Shipping Organization (NCSORG), which was officially established in 1950.
The organization’s mission is to “provide for the safe movement of merchant ships during contingency situations or in time of war or national emergency and in peacetime to prepare for executing that mission.”
The term “naval control of shipping” includes such functions as organizing and routing convoys and merchant ships sailing independently, reporting on their movements, and diverting them when appropriate. The Naval Control of Shipping Organization controls both military reinforcement and resupply shipping and civil economic shipping. Military shipping may be the organization’s highest priority customer but civil economic shipping will represent 90% of the total shipping involved. The'Naval Control of Shipping Organization is not responsible for the employment of merchant ships, their loading and unloading, or harbor control—all of which are handled by civil authorities—or for the assignment of escort forces, which are designated by military authorities.
At present, NCSORG involves both an allied organization and national organizations, whose structures are parallel. The U.S. organization is the subject of this article and can serve as an example of a national organization. The U.S. Atlantic and Pacific Fleet commanders are assigned as the Operational Control Authorities (OCA) for the naval control of shipping. In this capacity, they order convoys and independent ships to sail, designate routes, arrange for protection, order diversions, if necessary, and maintain liaison with civil shipping authorities.
Each OCA directs numerous Naval Control of Shipping (NCS) officers plus a large number of convoy commodores and staffs. The NCS officer conducts preparations for sailing convoys and individual ships at the port level and is responsible for merchant ship routing and reporting. The NCS officer deals directly with the merchant ship masters and crews in preparing them for transit.3
Convoy commodores and their staffs sail on the merchant ships in convoy, and exercise control over the convoy, subject to the authority of the officer in tactical command—the escort force commander. Once the convoy is underway, the convoy commodore is responsible for its safe navigation, although individual ship masters remain ultimately responsible for the safety of their own ships.
The present Naval Control of Shipping Organization is composed of five active duty Navy personnel, dedicated full-time to naval control of shipping duties, and more than 3,800 reservists—more than 99% of the peacetime organization—who would be mobilized to serve with OCA staffs, NCS offices, and the staffs of convoy commodores. At the present time- the convoy commodores are not reservhave had significant command-at-sea experience, and who would be recalled to active duty; there are approximately convoy commodores in this pool. The Navy is considering expanding the list o convoy commodores to include reserve surface warfare captains and reserve captains who hold Merchant Marine licenses and have considerable sea experience.
The reserve program is structured an involves specific training requirements designed to prepare the participating re" servists for mobilization. The training lS intensive, and involves formal schooling- team training, and on-site training during exercises. All unit members, both office* and enlisted, receive extensive forma schooling. Both the basic and advance courses are taught at the Antisubmarine Warfare Center at the Naval Base, Nof folk, Virgina. Qualification for specif|C Naval Control of Shipping naval officer billet codes and naval enlisted codes ** accomplished by completing both forma schools and a lengthy hands-on training-
Exercises at all levels—OCA, hA office, and convoy commodore a[C conducted frequently and provide reserv ists with an opportunity to train at mobi zation sites and experience simulate wartime or national emergency situ® tions. The Naval Control of ShipP111- Organization conducts two major exe.r^ cises annually, one in spring and one the fall, to test the ability of the NCS r- serve units to operate worldwide. Bn1 - in these exercises are coveted and the re suits show that the training works.
Recently, the reserves had an opp°rtu nity to demonstrate the quality of 1(1 training to the active Navy. During 1 tanker war in the Persian Gulf, reservis volunteered to ride the reflagged Kuw® tankers in convoys as Naval liaison o cers. These officers provided guidance ^ naval control of shipping doctrine to Commander, Joint Task Force, Min ^ East and Commander Middle East F°rc’^ staffs and were instrumental in the s cess of the operation. The organizah was finally on the map. -c
Vice Admiral Butcher was enthusia5 ^ about the liaison officers’ performanc “You [Naval Control of shipping OrgJj^ zation] already have taken the most portant step you could—providing
Naval Reserve officers from the Naval Control of Shipping Organization volunteered for convoy duty on reflagged tankers during recent hostilities in the Persian Gulf.
J Mitchell group of volunteer reservists to assist the active duty Navy with convoy operations ln the Persian Gulf. Your naval liaison officers who rode the reflagged tankers Were the first group of reserves on station ln the Persian Gulf, and they created favorable publicity for the NCS program. Y°u should take great pride in their out- ending performance in the Persian
How does naval control of shipping (NCS) work in actual practice? First, HCS must be implemented. Second, the Haval Control of Shipping Organization 'Oust be activated.
After these two prerequisites are met, U S.-flagged merchant ships arc directed V proceed to the nearest friendly port.
representatives meet the ships as 'hey arrive, board them, brief the masters, and record data concerning the ships.
The information obtained is then processed at the port’s NCS office, staffed °y reservists. A typical office is broken u°wn into two departments—operations aUd administration. The operations de- Purtment deals with masters and their ships; the administrative department runs ue office’s internal affairs.
Naval Control of Shipping office specie billets and responsibilities include:
- Commanding officer—directly responsible to the Operational Command ^uthority (OCA)
_ Executive officer—responsible for the ?dministrative functions of the office
- Operations officer—coordinates all arrivals and departures of merchant ships, controls boardings and routings. He does this with four assistants: the routing officer who routes all convoys and independent sailings, maintains convoy status, and prepares the sailing orders folder; the convoy officer who maintains the data card file on individual ships, issues instruction packets to the convoys, and designates the convoy’s formation; the boarding officer who conveys instructions from the NCS office to the masters of the ships, completes boarding cards on each vessel, maintains the status of on board publications, inspects the vessels for seaworthiness, and—most importantly—establishes the ship’s data card, which contains detailed information about the vessel; and the duty officer who maintains the watch.
► Administrative officer—Key assistants are responsible for overall communications, merchant ship communications, and classified publications. The communications officer is responsible for the extensive communications required to control shipping. This includes advising the convoy officer of visual signals, making up identification codes, and updating all available communications policies and procedures; he is assisted by the merchant communications officer.
Once a decision has been reached by higher authority to send cargo by ship to a particular destination, the operational command authority (OCA) at the Atlantic or Pacific Fleet-level assumes responsibility for carrying it out. The OCA will order either a convoy or independent sailing (assuming civil authorities have determined to sail their ships), plan the route, and request a naval escort.
Sailing orders (the merchant ship’s “Op order”) are prepared for each ship in the convoy. Subsequently, a predeparture conference is held for all participants, including the convoy commodore and his staff, who will by then have embarked on a ship in the convoy. This conference lays out the game plan for the convoy; NCS representatives are available to answer questions prompted by the sailing orders. At the conclusion of the conference, the convoy sails.
Vice Admiral Butcher summed up the future of the Naval Control of Shipping Organization as follows: “ . . .we must adapt to changes in the world in which we operate. It is important that we learn from history and properly apply those lessons; however, it is also important that we do not blindly follow history and continue forever to do things the way they have always been done . . . those of us charged to lead the Naval Control of Shipping Organization need to be imaginative and innovative.” 'VAdm Paul D. Butcher, USN, Assistant for Naval Control of Shipping (OP-06N), speech at the National Naval Control of Shipping commanding officers conference, Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, 10 June 1989.
2OpNavInst 3450.3F, "U.S. Naval Control of Shipping Manual,” 16 June 1989.
5Ibid.
4Butcher, op. cit.
Lieutenant DiRenzo is the Development Officer at the U.S. Naval Institute. Qualified in submarines and surface warfare, he is now serving in a reserve billet with Naval Control of Shipping Unit 106, Baltimore, Maryland.
New Frontiers in Submarine Combat Systems
B
y Richard W. Russell and John S. Davis
The essence of submarine warfare has Ranged dramatically. In the past, it was characterized by one-on-one engagements—a submarine executing a torpedo at'ack on a surface ship or another submarine. But weapons such as the Mk 48 advanced capability torpedo, Harpoon, Tomahawk land attack missile (both conventional and nuclear), and Tomahawk antiship missile have added a new dimension to submarine warfare. Today’s attack submarine now operates in an environment where “concurrency of missions” prevails.
Large-aperture acoustic sensors are
iments-
com-
Blue submarine against an Orange
being developed to search for and detect quiet Soviet submarines. Long-range communications, over-the-horizon targeting links, and other external sensors provide wide-area surface and subsurface contact and target data, requiring fusion with data from the submarine’s own sensors. These highly sensitive sensors will lead to significant sorting and correlation challenges for the submarine commander and his crew. Future submarine combat systems must be designed to contend with this explosion in contact and target data, and with the numerous choices in weapon and countermeasure types, tactics, and employment strategies.
Compounding the problem will be the fast pace of submarine combat operations in high-threat environments. The crew will be under great stress and will require assistance to filter data, select appropriate weapons and tactics, and respond rapidly to counterattacks.
Vital submarine combat activities involving men, command decision pro-
The Naval Underwater Systems Center’s combat simulators allow opposing submarine commanders to conduct real-time engagements that assist in the development of improved attack systems.
cesses, command and system interoperability, and information management must be completely understood if we are to ensure that future submarine combat systems achieve peak performance.
Questions that require detailed investigation arise:
- What timely information does the commander need to fight effectively and win the submarine engagement?
- What types of displays facilitate the delivery of this essential information?
- What are the system design strategies that will most effectively convey the level of uncertainty associated with tactical data?
- How does the submarine combat system sort, correlate, and manage target and contact data? How does the commander interact with this process?
- How does one measure the performance of a complete system—the commander and crew coupled with the submarine?
- What concept of system operation is most effective in countering the projected threat? How will the concept of operation influence development and application of technology to create the next-generation submarine combat system configurations?
The Naval Underwater Systems Center is exploring these questions and developing answers for present and future submarine warfare scenarios. Recent advances in computer processing capabilities, graphic workstation performance, and visualization technology have made a concept that was unthinkable five years ago achievable today. ^ particular, the laboratory prototyping 0 complete advanced combat systems pfl°r to specification development is now within reach.
The Center has completed preliminary concept development and demonstrate that high-fidelity, interactive submarine simulations are feasible. These Simulations will be used to study the performance synergies between the submarine attack team and conceptual submarine systems, thus contributing to the design of better systems.
Just such a facility, the Center’s combat system evaluation and analysis labo ratory, built to conduct interactive sub marine simulation, recently attains operational status.
The laboratory, a one-of-a-kind fac1 ity, is designed to address submarine combat system operational processes an associated technology performance |S sues. It is being used to evaluate technic options for advanced submarine comb' systems. Studies incorporating the disc* plines of human factors, operability. d cision theory, performance evaluation, state-of-the-art software developmcn environments, modem display design- and physical arrangements—includj g attack center configurations—are bcinf pursued. The laboratory’s equipment a software allow a real-time, simulation driven test bed to support experimen ^ tailored to increase the Navy’s know
edge base regarding the submarine com
bat process. This research tool provides rapid prototyping environment in wnt advanced concepts can be developed an evaluated in a cost-effective manner. U of the facility’s key features is a sea-te-^ capability that links laboratory prototype to at-sea systems and allows critical tec nologies to go to sea for early valid30 in an operational environment.
A typical experiment involves the e cution and subsequent analysis of a B
-in-me- simulate
mander operating a simulated OranJ. submarine. The players give verbal 0 ders to the computer-simulated hej man, diving officer, sonar supervis
etc., and receive computer-synthest
voice acknowledgements, while l,l0nl|)[Cl- ing traditional and advanced attack ce displays as the engagement unfolds- simulation allows both players to seam
tactically approach, launch weapons, evade counter-fired weapons, and reengage under realistic operational condi- tlons. As the fidelity of this simulation environment matures, combat system ^searchers at the Naval Underwater Systems Center will be able to view the impact of proposed technology improvements on board the submarine.
The simulation models provide vehicle kinematics, sensors, combat control, Weapons, ocean parameters, critical operator interactions, and information displays and controls. A wide variety of “lue and Orange submarines can be simulated. Realistic command decisions and c°ntrols are implemented at real-world ra(es and ordered actions are reflected in lire simulated system performance. These decisions and actions can be automati- eally recorded and several replay options are available for analysis. Simulated sonars lose or gain contacts due to changes ln ambient noise levels or speed-dependent source signal levels. A contact management function performs multisensor and multitarget tracking and correlation. Mk 48 torpedoes, with pre- and postlaunch capability, are modeled. The system uses sound velocity profiles, bottom slopes, and surface conditions to model acoustic convergence zones, propagation, layer crossings, and deep layer scattering phenomena. Provisions are being made to upgrade the simulation models as the Navy standards improve. The design philosophy for the simulator is to capture the best Navy models rather than attempt to develop competitive models that would limit the validity of experimental results.
The combat system evaluation and analysis laboratory represents a valuable tool for:
- Understanding the attack team and submarine system performance interrelationships
- Identifying emerging submarine combat and weapon system technical requirements (such as submarine self-defense and submarine operational automation technical requirements)
- Evaluating emerging combat system
concepts and technologies ► Demonstrating newly developed products and systems concepts.
Researchers clearly see early prototyping as a key to developing high-performance and cost-effective combat systems.
The Naval Underwater System Center’s state-of-the-art laboratory will allow detailed investigations of future attack team and submarine system inter-relationships and the resulting interoperability—all in a flexible, computer controlled environment that emulates and complements at-sea tests. The investigations will reach well beyond present capabilities and should contribute to the critical performance and cost trade-off studies required to improve future submarine combat systems.
Richard W. Russell is Head, Range Development Division and John S. Davis is the Head, Technology and Advanced Systems Division at the Naval Underwater Systems Center in Newport, Rhode Island.
Correcting Coast Guard Records
Congress established administrative ^judicative “boards” shortly after the end of World War II, to eliminate the requirement for members to introduce bills to correct the military records of either serving or separated military personnel.
"e Secretary of each military depart- n'ent and the Secretary of the Treasury Were authorized to correct procedures an<T “through boards of civilians,” to c°rrect any military record if it was “nectary to correct an error or remove an
^justice.”1 '
The U.S. Coast Guard has since been Transferred to the U.S. Department of ransportation, but the intent of Congress teuiains the same. Any past or present G)ast Guard person, officer or enlisted, tegular or reserve, or his or her next-of- xin-—jn case 0f <ieath, incapacity, or unreliability—may apply to the Board for tecord correction by completing and submitting a standard application form.2 tach applicant, in order to obtain relief, must allege and prove to the satisfaction °kthe Board that (1) an error or injustice committed by the Coast Guard, and . ) that the correction of that error or injustice is “necessary.”3 The applications received by the Board ate requests for:
. Revision or removal of reports evaluat- lr|g the performance of officers, and actions allegedly taken or likely to be taken as a consequence of such reports
- Assignment of, or an increase in, a disability rating
- Upgrading of less-than-honorable discharges and changes in the reason for a discharge
- Changes in reenlistment codes that inhibit a person from re-entering any military service
- Monetary reenlistment bonuses or increases in awarded bonuses
- Changes that make an applicant eligible for special compensation, such as sea pay, or that establish an earlier date for his or her advancement
- Miscellaneous changes
Lawyers, accredited representatives of recognized veterans’ organizations, and nonlawyers of competence are authorized to serve as counsel to applicants for correction. Counsel can be very useful to applicants in describing events and showing why particular alleged conduct on the part of the Coast Guard constitutes an error or injustice. Unfortunately, few of the applicants choose to be represented by counsel.
The Coast Guard Board's process: Upon receipt, an application is reviewed by the Chairman of the Board to be sure that it meets certain threshold require-
By Robert H. Joost and Nancy Battaglia
ments: that it concerns a U.S. Coast Guard military member, has been signed by the applicant, is not vague or ambiguous, is not correctable by routine Coast Guard action, and that all available administrative remedies have been exhausted. If these conditions are satisfied, the application is docketed and a letter of acknowledgment, a docket number, and instructions are sent to the applicant. Incomplete applications are returned to the individual with instructions to correct and refile them.
The Board also sends a copy of the application to the Coast Guard. After reviewing the applicant’s military record, the Coast Guard may respond with an advisory opinion recommending whether or not relief should be granted. Advisory opinions are not filed in all Board proceedings because the Coast Guard is not required to submit its written views to the Board on any particular case. Written responses are submitted in approximately 75% of the cases.
The advisory opinion is not binding on the Board. The applicant receives a copy of the advisory opinion and may respond to it, agreeing or disagreeing, in whole or in part, with the Coast Guard's recommendations.
Any applicant may request a hearing— a personal appearance before the Board in
Ceding
s
April 1990
115
the to
the primary judge and either endorses the decision or recommends changes. primary judge may accept the reviewing judge’s changes, in whole or in part, he or she may convince the reviewing
judge to withdraw the recommendation*’
in whole or in part. As an alternative, * two judges may agree to present sever options to the critiquing judges.
The reviewing judge then examines draft decision and the sources available
final decision. The critiquing judges mally meet once a week to const roughly ten decisions. The primary
Washington, D.C.—and the chairman may grant such a request if the application, military record, and any other documents show that the hearing might produce additional information that is material to the case. Such requests are rarely granted by the Chairman or reconsidered by the Board, because the written record almost always contains enough information for an informed decision.
In any event, a hearing is unlikely to change the outcome of a case, except for the small number that fall into the gray areas. Such cases are generally those in which credibility is an issue, or where the applicant, or the Coast Guard—through oral testimony, cross-examination, or oral argument—can move the Board to a different conclusion than it would have reached on the basis of documents alone. The Board also has the power to obtain information or assistance on its own motion, by requesting further information in writing from the applicant or the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard Board acts as a clearinghouse as well as a courthouse. It receives applications, responses, and additional evidence, and in turn sends copies to the Coast Guard. It receives Coast Guard advisory opinions and other responses and sends copies to the appropr1' ate applicants, explaining that the Coast Guard submissions are only recommendations, not binding on the Board. If aP' plicants not represented by counsel were to receive legal documents directly frorn the Coast Guard, their willingness to challenge such “official” recommendations or arguments could suffer considerably.
The Board’s decision makers: The Coast Guard Board provides professions accountability for judges without infring' ing on their independence. In this context, the term “judge” refers to a person who is authorized to make or contribute to decisions on matters of determining facts, applying relevant law, and issuing orders, whether or not the term “judge appears in the title or job description. Each case docketed by the Coast Guar Board is considered by five such judge*’ each of whom is an attorney—a primary judge, a reviewing judge, and a panel o three critiquing judges.
The primary judge examines the dence and drafts a decision, on the basis of the applicant’s military record and the evidence submitted. The primary judge may also discuss the application inf°r mally with the reviewing judge. It shod be emphasized that the decision of tn primary judge is only a draft decision
Normally, however, the primary and review ing judges settle their differences an present an agreed-upon text to the criti<lu ing judges. A reviewing judge’s evaln* tion of the work of a primary judge take- place informally and privately—the t judges seek to persuade each other abo the merits of their positions and the lan guage to be used.
The three critiquing judges evalua ^ the proposed decision individually- *11 they meet, discuss the case, and is*ue , final decision. If the outcome and the t of the proposed opinion are acceptable them, this text will generally stand as ^
idef
afld
reviewing judges attend to answer ques- tl()ns and respond to criticism. To encour- a8e frank and uninhibited debate, the meetings are closed to the public. No transcripts are made.
Critiquing judges receive advance cop- les of each draft decision and have an opportunity to examine the Board file and military record of the individual prior to meeting with the primary and reviewing judges.
The critiquing judges have the author- 'ty to change the outcome of any draft decision, or any aspect of a decision submitted to them. No decision is binding Unless at least two of the three Board members agree on the outcome and text ar>d sign the decision. Critiquing judges may decline to sign a decision until acCeptable text reflecting their comments and conclusions is prepared by the primary judge and circulated for review among the members of that panel of cri- hquing judges. A change in the outcome °f a case is rare but possible;4 a change in lhe rationale of a decision or in one or more particular findings in that case is more common; and changes that make a decision more readable are quite common.1’ The informality and privacy of the feview, and the ability, experience, and care of the critiquing judges frequently bring about a significant improvement in foe draft decision.
One of the keys to the success of the Coast Guard Board is the caliber of the Critiquing judges and their meticulous attention to detail. Each is a lawyer with many years’ experience in researching, Presenting, and analyzing legal issues.6 bach is able to question and on occasion !° confront, the primary and reviewing Judges from a roughly equal level of experience.
The Board is not bound by its earlier decisions, but does pay careful attention to them. Over the years Boards have been duite consistent in applying the law.
Recent developments: On 13 December 1989, the President signed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1989, which contains a provision that could have far- reaching effects on the operation of the Board. The act directs the Board to amend its regulations (33 CFR Part 52), not later than 13 June 1990, “ ... to ensure that a complete application for correction of military records is processed expeditiously and that final action on the application is taken within ten months of its receipt.”
Some applications now take more than ten months to decide from the time an application is docketed, because the Board’s process involves a number of time-consuming steps, to ensure fairness to applicants. Given the complexity of some cases, decisions cannot always be reached within ten months. Under the new requirement, the Board would often lack the time to raise new issues on its own motion. Applicants might not be able to make necessary amendments to their applications, and hearings (which are time-consuming) would seldom be possible.
So far, Congress has not imposed a deadline on the Board for Correction of Naval Records or any correction authority other than the Coast Guard Board. Any attempt to impose time limits should be reversed, not continued, to preclude inevitable conflict between ensuring due process for each applicant and completing a decision by an arbitrary deadline. The Board process should not be driven solely by artificial restrictions.
Conclusion: The usual civil mechanism for the adjudication of a small lawsuit is the same as the mechanism for the adjudication of a large or substantial lawsuit: a Federal or State court of general jurisdiction or a Federal or State administrative tribunal; one or more plaintiffs, complainants, or applicants; one or more defendants or respondents; and a judge. The parties generally reside or do business in the same geographical area, and the mechanism for adjudication generally involves oral discovery, an oral hearing with cross examination, and a right to a formal appeal from the judge’s decision. It is slow and expensive, probably because oral discovery, oral hearings, and appeals are time-consuming and hard to conduct without the assistance of an attorney.
The Coast Guard Board system is much simpler than the traditional civil system and therefore much less expensive for all. It has few of the traditional requirements, such as one-judge, trial-level adjudication, oral discovery, required hearings, and formal appeals. Instead, there are several tiers of judges who are expert in the subject matter, and who review each other’s work. The Board’s process dispenses with many traditional requirements and yet retains the “judicial” independence so vital to a fair and just result.
'Act of 2 August 1946, ch. 753, paragraph 207. The statute was codified as paragraph 1552 of title 10 of the United States Code (10 U.S.C. 1552).
233 C.F.R. paragraph 52.10- 1(a). The required form, Department of Defense (DD)-Form 149, is used for correction of military records by each of the armed services.
3The Board thus far has ruled in favor of the applicant in approximately 62% (206 out of 330 cases) of the applications filed in fiscal 1988.
4There were 476 cases closed in fiscal year 1989; the outcome in in nearly all of them was that recommended by the primary and reviewing judges. Approximately five% of the decisions of the Board must, under special Department of Transportation rules, be reviewed and approved by the delegate of the Secretary, before they can be issued.
^he 32 Board members are all attorneys for the General Counsel’s office or one of the Chief Counsel’s offices within the Transportation Department, except that, as a matter of policy, no attorneys from the Office of the Chief Counsel of the Coast Guard are members of the Board.
Robert H. Joost is the Chairman and Nancy Battaglia is the Deputy Chairman, Board for Correction of Military Records of the Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Transportation.
Radar Range-Ring Navigation
By Chief Quartermaster Richard E. Kabrick, U.S. Navy
When piloting, the bridge navigation team normally uses visual lines of posi- tlQn to fix the position of the ship for the r'avigator, officer of the deck, junior offi- ^Cr of the deck, and the commanding of- ■cer. While the accuracy of these posi- l'°ns is dependent upon, among other tengs, a properly functioning gyrocompass and a trained observation team, a visual fix usually provides the most accurate position. The prudent navigator will, however, use the radar at every opportunity. A navigator who takes one radar range from the radar scope to plot with each round of visual lines of position can provide an important piece of the navigation picture and raise his comfort level considerably.
The careful navigator will also use radar fixes from the ship’s combat information center (CIC) and compare them to the visual fixes at every opportunity. Plotters in CIC, using ranges obtained from the radar and swinging the corresponding arc to form a fix, are also providing an important piece of the navigation picture. But the conventional radar
Chief Kabrick wrote this professional note
The plotter moves the template around until the range rings coincide with the picture on the radar scope: Point A—.8 nautical mile; Point B— 1.7 nautical miles; etc. The ship’s position is at the center of the template.
plotting technique of swinging an arc can create a problem when the operator tries to interpret the echoes painted on the radar screen. The shapes presented on the screen depend upon many factors, including the size, shape, aspect, and composition of the land mass being displayed. For these reasons the conventional radar technique often leads to triangles of ambiguity from which a fix must be selected. While an experienced C1C piloting team usually has no difficulty using conventional radar techniques, other procedures exist and should be applied when the need arises.
The radar range ring technique is one such procedure. It relies on an easily constructed plastic template with concentric range rings drawn to represent the range rings on the radar scope. The range rings are drawn to the same scale as the chart that is being used for plotting. The plotter simply turns the range ring selector on the radar scope to the appropriate range— corresponding to the distances drawn on the template—and observes where the range rings are painting in relation to landmarks presented on the radar repeater. At the command “mark,” the plotter simply maneuvers the plastic template to coincide with the picture on the radar repeater. The ship’s position is then marked by the hole in the center of the template.
A log recording ranges for repetitive transits can be made by recording prom1" nent landmarks and the range ring relation to them. (See Figure 1.) This method can be of great benefit to small craft operators who use radars without bearing and range strobes and with few or no crew to assist in navigating. I have taught this method of radar navigation with great success at the Surface Warfare Officer School’s Division Officer Course >n Newport, Rhode Island, presenting itt0 newly commissioned officers who have little or no radar experience. These pr0' spective surface warfare officers become quite adept with the radar within minutes of trying this method. It is easy to leartl and employ and has proved as accurate as the conventional method. I recomrnen this technique to every ship’s navigat°r and navigation team. „
Ernest Brown, who edited the 19' edition of Bowditch while with the Navi gational Science Division of the Oceano graphic Office, first suggested this tech nique after listening to testimony in Federal District Court concerning the e fects of limited personnel on the use 0 small craft radar. The technique appearS in the Radar Navigation Manual, Hydr0 graphic Office publication 1310.
serving as the lead navigation instructor at the face Warfare Officer School, Newport, Rhode ^ land. He was selected as the top enlisted instructor ^ the Navy in 1988 by the Chief of Naval Educati and Training.
Matching LCAC Capabilities to Requirements
By Lieutenant Colonel Melvin R. Jones, U.S. Army, Retired
During exercise Solid Shield 89 held at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the air cushion landing craft (LCAC) again demonstrated the capabilities and advantages of air cushion technology in over-the- horizon (OTH) amphibious operations. As it had in every previous test, the LCAC solidified its status as the first significant technical improvement in waterborne landing craft since World War II. Yet challenges remain and amphibious planners continue to lag in developing doctrine to exploit the LCAC’s capabilities.
Part of the problem stems from the new assault technologies represented by the LCAC. Before either the Navy or Marine Corps had a chance to hammer out concepts for their deployment, LCACs were rewriting amphibious doctrine in over- the-horizon exercises. At speeds exceeding 50 knots and payloads in excess of 60 tons, LCACs added a new dimension to forcible entry; with each exercise, another possible mission for the LCAC emerged. The versatile craft has become the cornerstone in modernizing U.S. Navy and Marine Corps amphibious war
fare capability. -s
The primary mission of the LCAC amphibious—to land the weap°n^ equipment, cargo, and personnel orgafl to Marine Air-Ground Task F°rcCj (MAGTFs). In conjunction with the ship_ to-shore amphibious mission, the Navy looking at a number of future options all of which leave control of LCACs Wi ^ the Commander, Amphibious Task Fo (CATFj.
On the other hand, some Marine C&P planners envision greater use of LCA during inland movement as the C°
Zander, Landing Force (CLF) must trapse marshlands, rivers, or deltas; LCACs easily negotiate such obstacles. This potential for penetration beyond the beachhead combined with the LCAC’s high speed over-the-horizon assault make 11 difficult for defending enemy forces to react before overwhelming combat power has been established ashore. From the attacker’s standpoint, this is precisely the desired result.
Admiral William Halsey summed up much of the equation for success in battle "'hen he said: “Hit hard, hit fast, hit °ften.” Later, amphibious operations also proved that it is desirable to hit an enemy where and when he least expects y°u to attack. Surprise remains the surest niethod for success for the landing force as it seeks the combat advantage. For Marines, the LCAC and the MV-22 OsPrey tiltrotor represent the perfect combination for exploiting all of these conCePts. Defense Secretary Richard Cheney’s attempts to scuttle the MV-22 nave dealt a severe blow to this one-two Pttnch envisioned by amphibious warfare Planners, but the issue has yet to be resolved. Nevertheless, the Marine Corps [nust be prepared to return to the drawing hoard—where they already are searching 0r an advanced assault amphibian vehicle compatible with over-the-horizon assault. Added to this are the command- and-control problems between the CATF and the CLF inherent in almost every amphibious operation. The question of "'ho uses LCACs, and when, and for "hat purpose needs another look, espe- C|ally now that fewer resources are likely lo be available. Without the MV-22 or ‘he advanced assault amphibian vehicle *° complement LCACs and helicopters in support of the CLF, the question be- c°mes: When, if ever, does the commander, Amphibious Task Force relinquish control of LCACs to the Commander, Landing Force who must Press the ground battle?
Current doctrine limits LCAC movement inland. The basic rule states that an CCAC proceeds no farther inland than the Point at which the speed over ground, maneuverability, and survivability of the embarked landing forces becomes equal to that of the LCAC. In practical terms, Planners consider it both unnecessary and uudesirable for the LCAC to move any more than 1,000 yards inland except mtder unusual conditions. Otherwise, the CATF retains control as LCACs discharge Marines, equipment, and cargo at a suitable site above the high water mark and return across the beach to the support ship.
During Solid Shield 89, the Com-
mander, Amphibious Task Force, Rear Admiral Glenn E. Whisler, Jr., summed up his role as follows; “My job is to get the Marines, their equipment, and aircraft safely to the objective area and put them safely ashore. My counterpart on board is the commander of the landing forces— Brigadier General John J. Sheehan—who is responsible for the Marines and equipment once they are ashore. The Navy and Marine Corps team has been practicing jointness for a lot of years. I don’t know a better demonstration of that than we have right here in our amphibious task force.”
Here is how it works. While the CATF controls and orchestrates every need that occurs within the amphibious objective area (AOA), Brigadier General Sheehan’s efforts, as CLF, are concentrated on getting maximum combat power ashore and establishing his ability to control his supporting arms. First to come under the control of the CLF, normally, is the artillery; next, helicopter support; and, last, control of fixed wing aircraft and missiles.
There are no provisions now for CLF’s possible need for LCAC support beyond the beachhead. This is the exception, in that he eventually assumes responsibility for controlling most fire support and can request assistance from almost every other element of the amphibious task force. There are two principal arguments against rescinding the current 1,000 yard restriction on LCAC inland movement:
- The Navy has too few LCACs for the ship-to-shore mission or even to carry the slower-moving assault amphibian ashore, let alone assign some of these craft to CLF for the inland movement.
- Because LCACs are lightly armored, they are unsuitable for an opposed landing or for use inland unless there are secure ingress and egress routes available.
Examine the second objection first. LCACs have as much firepower and armor protection as the average helicopter. Yet, no one suggests that helicopters return to the support ships when the going gets tough. Instead, rotary wing aircraft are among the first assets assigned to the
Admiral Frank B. Kelso II, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command and the next CNO, will have a large say in how LCACs will be used. How far inland should they go to support the ground commander?
CLF. Similarly, some type of LCAC used to displace artillery or modified to carry troops, could serve the ground commander well as he presses the attack over difficult terrain.
The Navy expects air cushion technology to expand into larger craft such as the Navy’s 200-ton prototype surface effect ship (SES). The idea is to retain the amphibious features of the LCAC and combine them with the long-range capabilities of the SES. In place of a supply craft with limited range, the hybrid LCAC/ SES would provide the Navy with a long- range, high-speed transport. Of course, this would free more LCACs for ship-to- shore duties as well as other missions.
LCAC employment concepts under consideration by the Navy include:
- Joint logistics over the shore operations.
- Mine warfare. The LCAC’s high speed and heavy lift capacity make it ideal for laying mines.
- Patrol boat, antiaircraft picket boat. In each case, the LCAC would be manned by Navy personnel operating inside the AOA. For the antiaircraft mission, crews would be armed with Stinger missiles.
- Forward arming and refueling point. (See Naval Institute Proceedings, November 1989, p. 103, for more on this subject.)
Navy and Marine Corps planners agree that because of the limitations of other vehicles in the amphibious mix, full capabilities of the LCAC have yet to be exploited. However, it is important to remember that the LCAC belongs to the Navy.
When one examines more closely the future options for LCAC employment, it is obvious that the LCAC increasingly is extending its stay on shore where Marines operate. The next logical step is shore-basing of LCACs in the amphibious operations area (AOA) to carry out some of these missions after appropriate study, concept development, and operational testing.
This is what Navy and Marine Corps visionaries do best. The capabilities of the LCAC demand their best efforts to produce doctrine that meets the needs of both the Navy and the Marine Corps.
Colonel Jones is a former Pentagon press aide and speech writer and frequent contributor to military publications.