Commercial Fast Freight Ferry Designs and Their Application to Operational Logistics
Abstract
Without the ability to rapidly transport supporting personnel and materiel, the most thoroughly planned operation will almost certainly end in failure. As we enter the era of Network Centric Warfare (NCW), where Speed of Command is often measured in seconds, theater operational logistics must keep pace with an increased demand for speed in the battlespace. This paper will seek to explore the changing operational logistics arena and offer solutions to challenges involving the need for increased speed of logistics as it is related to sealift. The need for greater speed in operational logistics can be met by looking to recent developments in the commercial sector. Large, high-speed, combination freight and passenger ferries, known as Fast Freight Ferries (FFFs), are currently in commercial service. The employment of FFFs as rapid intra-theater and inter-theater sealift, in concert with the Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF), would provide a greatly improved operational logistics speed and capacity. FFF craft were developed as a result of market forces alone. Their design research and development costs have been borne by private industry. The cost savings to the military that could be realized by requisitioning these vessels directly from commercial trade are manifold. Independent development and military procurement of a purely military version of the same type platform would not be necessary. Militarily useful FFF designs could be requisitioned for government service directly from commercial trade on an as-needed basis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA381916
Entities
People
- Ian C. Mcintyre
Organizations
- Naval War College