Analysis of Maritime Support Vessels and Acquisition Methods Utilized to Support Maritime Irregular Warfare
Abstract
As the United States military continuously aligns the appropriate platforms to conduct Maritime Irregular Warfare (MIW), U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has leased/chartered civilian ships to provide the appropriate vessels needed to support operations in Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines (OEF-P). Different vessels have been utilized for this mission to meet the shifting requirements of not only the combatant commanders but also those of the Philippine Government. The primary questions addressed in this study are as follows: (1) Are leased/chartered ships meeting the requirements to best support MIW?; and (2) What is the most appropriate mechanism for acquiring vessels to support MIW? The objectives of the study are to identify the operational and technical requirements of U.S. forces utilizing the vessels in support of MIW, taking into consideration the current capabilities offered; and conduct research and analysis to examine those acquisition methods most appropriate for acquiring, supporting, and maintaining vessels in support of MIW. The study will recommend the most effective vessels, in terms of cost and performance, to accomplish specific MIW missions, and will identify the most effective acquisition method to meet those needs. Although the authors focus on the Philippines as a baseline case, they ultimately lay out three potential vessels for MIW (Edison Chouest MV C-Champion, High Speed Vessel, Littoral Combat Ship) and state how they would or would not be effective in a range of scenarios, one of which they have exercised through a wargame and for which they have observable data due to ongoing operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA524668
Entities
People
- Christopher S. Kelley
- Justin M. Bummara
- William J. Clark
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School