Although there is a tendency to equate defense transformation with advanced technologies and future capabilities, nothing in the definition of transformation—or in the Navy's road map for transformation—suggests that new or high technology is required or desired. Defense transformation can occur numerous ways, including different uses for existing capabilities and installation of technologies that provide more efficient and effective capabilities.
Transformation can be achieved merely by changing the concept or configuration of existing systems, programs, and products. It is possible to be transformational through an intelligent combination of current military systems, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) items, and nondevelopmental item (NDI) components. The key to successful transformation is a wide-ranging set of alternatives that allows for rapid identification of suitable existing technologies.
The Navy's submarine force often is held up as a model of the transformational approach to war fighting. Examples of its forward thinking include installation of nuclear reactors, development of strategic missile capabilities, Acoustic Rapid COTS Insertion (ARCI) sonar upgrades, and conversion of nuclear-powered ballistic-missile subs (SSBNs) to guided-missile subs (SSGNs). The first example highlights the use of new technology; the second represents the combination of an existing concept with new technology. The last two are examples of innovative concepts based on existing technology and programs.
Mission Reconfigurable UUVs
The Navy Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) Master Plan (Washington, DC: Assistant Secretary for Research, Development, and Acquisition, 1999) specifies development of the mission reconfigurable unmanned undersea vehicle (MRUUV). The MRUUV Flight I is envisioned to be a 21-inch diameter, heavy-weight torpedo-like vehicle with 90 kilowatt-hours of stored energy. The initial operational capability (IOC) for this vehicle is planned for 2007. It will be used to accomplish maritime reconnaissance, undersea search and survey, and communications and navigational missions. The 21-inch diameter requirement is driven by the size of the torpedo tube on nuclear submarines.
The Mk 48 torpedo has 90 kilowatt-hours of energy, but it is incapable of conducting the relatively low-speed, longer duration reconnaissance and search missions specified above. Moreover, because of size and power consumption constraints, all sensors needed to accomplish those missions do not exist today. Developing a new UUV with this energy level, the ability to replenish or recharge on the host platform, and the required sensors would be another transformational accomplishment.
The MRUUV Flight II is envisioned to be a larger vehicle with approximately 530 kilowatt-hours of stored energy. Submarine track and trail tasks will be added to the missions proposed for the Flight I. The IOC for Flight II is planned for 2013. While it could use-and benefit to a small degree from-the components (primarily payloads) developed for Flight I, the larger vehicle would not require all the miniaturization and reduced power consumption developed previously. With the advent of the SSGN, the Flight II will become more relevant operationally.
Because SSGNs can accommodate the dual advanced SEAL delivery system (ASDS) topside, they can support larger UUVs-for example, their missile tubes provide a potential UUV storage area. The Navy, however, could deploy large UUVs from nuclear-powered attack subs (SSNs) as it does with the SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) and Dry Deck Shelter (DDS), Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), ASDS, or in the manner used for towing the research sub NR-1. Adaptation of these potential UUV interfaces could be completed easily before or in parallel with development of the large UUV concept.
The MAKO Fast Track
President George W. Bush, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and Secretary of the Navy Gordon England have stated publicly that unmanned vehicles are integral to defense transformation. Their goals can be met sooner, using existing technology and at reduced cost, with a concept Lockheed Martin has nicknamed MAKO. Rapid development of the MRUUV Flight II could be achieved by creating a hybrid version of the remote mine-hunting vehicle (RMV). The RMV is the workhorse of the A/N WLD-1 mine-hunting system. The modular advanced prototype (V3) has more than 91 days of successful at-sea operations; the first vehicle is currently scheduled for delivery to the Pinckney (DDG-91) in 2004, with IOC in 2005.
The hybrid version of the RMV would be a modular diesel-electric UUV capable of snorkeling and extended submerged operations. The V3 model of the RMV has approximately 4,200 kilowatt-hours of energy (no battery power included), which is almost an order of magnitude greater than that planned for MRUUV Flight II in 2013 using today's technology. Another way to look at this energy storage metric is that the RMV will operate more than 160 hours at 5 knots on diesel fuel alone. The operating time can be extended through slower speeds and a lithium storage battery for submerged operations. With minimal investment and risk, the RMV (V3) and its current depth rating of 90 feet could be modified to a diesel-electric vehicle that submerges to 600 feet or deeper.
Because the basic RMV (V3) design is modular, support of various modular mission packages would require only minor changes. The large volume of this vehicle would allow it to carry the three mission modules planned for Flight I. With its wide range of speed, the hybrid RMV would make an excellent platform for the track-and-trail antisubmarine warfare mission envisioned for the MRUUV Flight II.
Probably the most significant factor in weighing the hybrid RMV option is the fuel used to achieve the power density: JP5 or DFM. These two fuels are compliant with the Navy's ships (including the restrictive atmosphere requirements of nuclear submarines), and both fuels are readily available on board every platform. The fuel cost of conducting a single mission would be under $ 1,000; current RMV mission fuel cost is about $450. In addition, the Cummins diesel engine is a highly reliable, low-cost component already in the Navy's inventory.
The RMV needs only minor modifications to fit into a SSGN missile tube. As noted, it could be adapted to interface with an SSN in a manner similar to the DSRV, ASDS, and SDV/DDS. The 14,000-pound dry weight and small floodable volume of the RMV have a significantly smaller weight, moment, and center of buoyancy effect on the host SSN than these platforms. Stated differently, the RMV is 1/10th to 1/6th the weight and moment issue of the vehicles currently carried by SSNs. Consequently, the MAKO approach would enable a larger number of boats to deploy the large UUV.
In "Make the SSGN Truly Transformational" (Proceedings, August 2002, pp. 65-67), Captain James Patton presented a creative approach to conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions from SSGNs. He wrote that the ASDS should be modified to support the ISR mission, reasoning that the ASDS was a logical platform because large UUVs do not exist and would take years to define and develop. I must disagree, however, with this learned officer—a man I respect. The modifications to make a hybrid diesel-electric version of the RMV could be prototyped and in the water in approximately one year. A production vehicle would be 18-24 months farther out. Thus, the unmanned RMV with a mast already suitable for additional ISR sensors would be a rapid, low-risk path to a submarine-deployable system.
Conclusions
Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Vernon Clark unveiled his Sea Power 21 concept during an address at the Naval War College's 53rd Current Strategy Forum in June 2002. He explained his plan to enhance naval capabilities through the concepts of Sea Strike, Sea Shield, and Sea Basing. The MAKO concept described here meets his goals by supporting persistent ISR, littoral sea control, and enhanced seaborne positioning of joint assets.
It is logical and prudent to meet part of the Navy's goals five-to-seven years ahead of schedule with minimal investment. Such an accomplishment would be truly transformational and permit scarce research-and-development dollars to be spent in other key warfare areas.
Captain Brandes served in four nuclear-powered attack submarines, including command of the William H. Bates (SSN-680). He is a program manager for Lockheed Martin at Riviera Beach, Florida.