Future UNREP: Existing Technologies, Concepts of Operation, and Why Replenishment at Sea Must Evolve
Abstract
The United States Navy currently operates in an environment not experienced since the Second World War and faces an evolving future that will continue to grow in complexity and competition. While the past almost three decades have allowed US naval forces to deploy globally and operate virtually uncontested and with impunity, the future environment will no longer allow such dominance without a consistent and credible challenge. In order for the US to maintain both offensive and defensive superiority across all warfare domains and to meet these influential forces head on, a departure from and re-imagining of current processes and operations is paramount. In order for effective logistics sustainment, as well as future combat effectiveness in the Pacific with the rise of China, the concept of underway replenishment must evolve. Furthermore, existing technologies such as undersea basing, autonomous undersea vehicles, autonomous shipping, and additive manufacturing/three dimensional printing may offer the increased flexibility and agility needed for effective logistics sustainment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 28, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1057667
Entities
People
- Richard D. Jones
Organizations
- Naval War College