Redefining the Littorals
Abstract
The U.S. Navy relies heavily upon its ability to operate forward in the littoral regions of the world. Forward-deployed naval forces provide the critical operational connection between peacetime operations and the initial requirements of a developing crisis or major regional contingency. As advanced military technologies become available to existing and potential adversaries, the Navy's ability to maintain freedom of action in these coastal regions will likely become challenged. A force protection scheme for naval operations in the littorals that supports the "full-dimensional protection" concept discussed in Joint Vision 2010 has yet to be developed. Naval force protection must consider the challenges associated with naval operations in confined waters. Increased risk must ha managed as maneuver space is restricted and time to react to an adversary's actions is significantly reduced. Forms of power projection need to be developed that match force protection capabilities with the threats and reduce the risk to forces operating forward. Any force protection scheme must remain realistic, flexible, and operationally executable. It necessitates achieving information superiority over the enemy, establishing an extended reach capability for delivering fires, and the operational dispersion of naval forces. The next few years are a critical period for the U.S. Navy as potential adversaries seek to exploit an ever increasing number of military Options offered by technological developments. Technology is accelerating the need for Joint Vision 2010 doctrine development. The supporting operational concepts must be designed so that force protection, and the manner in which forces are organized, achieve a good fit with technology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 05, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA372758
Entities
People
- Michael A. Stone
Organizations
- Naval War College