Sea Devils, Submersibles, and Underwater IEDs: Asymmetric Undersea Threats to Assured Access in an Operational Environment

Abstract

Current U.S. military strategy requires assured maritime access to achieve national policy objectives. Because of our conventional superiority in the maritime domain, adversaries will seek asymmetric advantages to contest this access. Asymmetric undersea threats - such as sea mines, improvised explosive devices, combat swimmers and swimmer delivery vehicles, semi-submersibles, and mini-submarines - can disrupt assured maritime access. Operational commanders must recognize the existing danger posed by such threats, and mitigate risk through the integration of joint, multinational, and interagency forces and capabilities. This paper discusses asymmetric undersea threats and their advantages to an adversary seeking to challenge assured maritime access. Next, the paper addresses current obstacles faced by U.S. joint forces when encountering these threats. Finally, it makes recommendations on how an operational commander can mitigate the risk posed by asymmetric undersea threats.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 03, 2010
Accession Number
ADA525381

Entities

People

  • John M. Haealer

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Counter IED
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Asymmetric Warfare
  • Explosive Devices
  • Explosives
  • Improvised Explosive Devices
  • Naval Mines
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • Ships
  • Submarines
  • Surveillance
  • Undersea Warfare
  • United States
  • Unmanned Underwater Vehicles
  • Vehicles
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime and Naval Warfare Studies
  • Munitions and Ordnance Engineering
  • Strategic Security Studies