Self-Synchronized Fires in Support of Ship-to-Objective Maneuver (STOM)
Abstract
Self-synchronized joint fires in a netted environment are not able to provide the timely and accurate fire support required by infantry units when conducting Ship-to-Objective Maneuver (STOM) operations. The Naval Warfare Development Command conducted Fleet Battle Experiment India (FBE-I) to test whether the engagement of time-critical targets (TCT) could be significantly reduced by employing a flattened, more automated command and control structure with a digital fires network that could rapidly share targeting information in order to accelerate both tactical decision making and engagement of emergent targets. Under evaluation was the ability of the Navy's operational concept of Network-Centric Warfare (NCW) to aid in adequately satisfying the requirements of responsive and accurate fires delivered in support of the Marine Corps operational concept of Ship-to-Objective Maneuver (STOM). It was shown that netted fires could be used against targets that do not pose an immediate threat to friendly forces (battlefield preparation). The ability to self-synchronize fires to fulfill STOM requirements for TCT engagements has not been proven. Too many questions remain unanswered to determine the validity of rapid self-synchronized joint fires. Without timely and accurate long-range fire support, STOM will not be a viable operational concept for the Marine Corps.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 04, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA400930
Entities
People
- John W. Herman
Organizations
- Naval War College