Beans, Bullets and Bandwidth: Sustaining Operational Maneuver from the Sea with Ship-To-Objective Logistics

Abstract

Ship-to-objective logistics (STOL) operations can leverage information and speed to replace logistics mass and sustain a force conducting ship-to-objective maneuver (STOM) within the overarching concept of OMFTS. This method of logistics support, executed primarily from a seabase, is possible through the application of innovative techniques and realistic technological advances. OMFTS provides a strategy for the Marine Corps to respond to future changing and dynamic threats. Its broad principles advocate use of the sea as maneuver space and the maximization of tempo and flexibility. STOM, its major supporting concept, envisions forces using these principles to project deep inland to operational objectives directly from the seabase. The high operational tempo of this force in a large battlespace poses significant physical challenges for sea-based logistics. Combat service support elements (CSSE), also using the sea as maneuver space, must integrate logistics operations with maneuver operations, matching their tempo and sustaining their warfighting capability. Using situational awareness and information fused from multiple functional automated systems, the CSSE will compensate for the physical challenges inherent with STOM support. As a system of systems, STOL's processes and subsystems will interrelate with supply, distribution, and command and control information. Inter-networked systems will link the seabase with the forces conducting STOM to enable the generation of predictive and near-real time logistics requirements, total asset visibility, reduced stores, and effective command and control of logistics operations. The central vision of OMFTS provides conceptual focus but must be further developed and resourced by the Marine Corps. Continued direction toward STOL through documents like the recently published "Logistics Campaign Plan" will guide decentralized efforts throughout the Department of the Navy to create capabilities for OMFTS.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADA514710

Entities

People

  • James D. Hess

Organizations

  • Marine Corps War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amphibious Operations
  • Command And Control
  • Command And Control Systems
  • Control Systems
  • Digital Communications
  • Information Operations
  • Information Systems
  • Logistics
  • Military Science
  • Radio Equipment
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Situational Awareness
  • Supply Chain
  • Tilt Rotor Aircraft
  • Turbines
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
  • Space