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Current Strategy Forum. Fleet Design R ADM Kenny Floyd. Considerations. Defense Strategy Be ready for high-end, but recognize most days we interact on low-end Challenging to predict the future Will never have enough force structure to meet all demand. 1. Approaches to Fleet Design.
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Current Strategy Forum Fleet DesignRADM Kenny Floyd
Considerations Defense Strategy Be ready for high-end, but recognize most days we interact on low-end Challenging to predict the future Will never have enough force structure to meet all demand 1
Approaches to Fleet Design • 1st Generation – Move from unguided to guided weapons warfare • Carrier-based nuclear strikes against Soviet homeland / rise in submarine threat • Develop new guided system / upgrade existing systems • Data Links • Experimented with “Escort Destroyers” • Too small for combat systems & weapons for guided munitions • 2nd Generation – Concerted shift to guided systems • Radars / SAMs / ASW Systems / NTDS • Fleet Design evolves to a “hi-lo” mix • Ships designed keel up for guided systems & size driven by large, bow mounted sonar
Approaches to Fleet Design • A “hi-hi” mix! • 3rd Generation – Guided weapons warfare against the Soviet Navy • ASCM attacks / Submarines • All combat systems & weapons guidance now digital • More & better SAMs / Vertical Launch System • Harpoon / Tomahawk / Sonar / “Tails” / Gas Turbines • Smallest acceptable Helo capable FFG • 4th Generation – Land attack & battle network comm & data exchange • Halt of armored invasions and connect to joint battle network • New AAW sensor (SPY) / Improved battle networking / GPS / INS weapons • Attempt to standardize / 116 CGs / DDGs / DD21s
Fifth generation fleet design (2001- ?) is all about building a “Total Force Battle Network” Key design principles: Optimize the network, not the platform “All platforms sensors; all sensors netted; all relevant information available to the warfighter” Sensors and payloads take precedence over platforms Build energy-efficient platforms with: Smaller crews (automation) Open architecture combat systems for rapid capability upgrades Reconfigurable, modular payloads or mission bays for flexibility Air and surface interfaces Develop network-enabled weapons Field multiple manned and unmanned “second-stage” (off-board) systems Helos + UAVs USVs + RHIBs + Boats UUVs Modular missile batteries (VLS) Modular platforms UAVs Helos PBs USVs RHIBs UUVs 4
The Gen 5 surface force reflects the shift to a Total Force Battle Network Key operational problems: Maintain cost-effective global forward presence Defeat multi-dimensional A2/AD networks Ballistic missile defense All surface combatants with open architecture combat systems, modular payloads, data links, air and/or sea interfaces Gen 5 reintroduces a hi-lo mix: Large multi-mission battle network combatants with high capacity missile batteries for high-end combat missions Modular missile batteries Small multi-role battle network combatants for low-end missions Modular mission packages All battle force ships to be self-deployable Including mine warfare vessels ~ 90 Large Battle Network Combatants ~ 55 Small Battle Network Combatants 5
The Littoral Combat Ship reintroduces the small combatant in battle force design • Designed from the keel up a Total Force Battle Network platform • A small multi-role vessel that: • Focuses on traditional small combatant missions • Complements large battle network combatants, freeing them up for more demanding duties • Replaces multiple ship classes, including mine warfare vessels (FFs, PCs, and MCMs) • Designed with reconfigurable modular payloads emphasizing second stage systems • Manned systems (e.g., RHIBs and Helos) • Unmanned systems (UUVs, USVs, UAVs) Counter-FAC Counter-mine Counter-sub • Two R&D platforms in service • Aircraft development model • As a result, we know more about these first of class ships than any other • Developing mission packages in parallel • Flexible growth potential
The LCS fits within a Total Force Battle Networkthat places a premium on flexible, adaptable platforms Small Medium Large X- Large XX- Large Multi-mission Multi-role Multi-role/multi-mission With open architecture combat systems and ability to employ multiple “second stage “ systems, Gen 5 design is well suited for a “strategy of the second move” 7
Summary The surface combatant force is designed to operate as part of a broader Total Force Battle Network. Conceptually, the force is divided into a hi-lo mix consisting of: Multi-mission Large Battle Network Combatants with modular missile batteries; and Multi-role Small Battle Network Combatants with reconfigurable modular combat payloads The Littoral Combat Ship fills the role as the TFBN’s multi-role Small Battle Network Combatant Two modular platforms are designed to perform all the duties traditionally assigned to small combatants The LCS is a unique, first-of-a-kind system, with no direct counterpart in any past US fleet, or any foreign navy It is not a frigate; it is not a gunboat It is a flexible platform designed from the keel up to operate in a Total Force Battle Network 8
The LCS is best thought of as a multipurpose Gen 5 utility platform designed to perform a variety of traditional small combatant duties Since 1889, small combatants have excelled in ten broad battle force missions: Maritime patrol and security (maritime domain awareness) Battle Force Scouting High value screening (from small combatant and submarine attack) Protection of shipping (primarily ASW) Offensive coastal interdiction (anti-surface warfare) Close-in fire support Mine warfare Amphibious/sea base support Riverine warfare Support to naval special warfare OPV Torpedo boat (FAC/FIAC) destroyer Destroyer escort PG PC Destroyer minesweeper Two hulls to do it all! 9