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A Concept for Fires in Support of Operational Maneuver From the Sea Beyond 2020 and any Foreseeable Weapons Systems

 

CSC 1997

 

Subject Area - Artillery

 

ADVANCED EXPEDITIONARY FIRE SUPPORT -- THE SYSTEM AFTER NEXT

 

_______________________________________________________________________

A Concept for Fires in Support of Operational Maneuver From the Sea Beyond

    2020 and any Foreseeable Weapons Systems

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Purpose

 

     This paper will articulate a fire support concept to meet the demands of Operational Maneuver From the Sea (OMFTS). It continues the process of proposal, debate, and experimentation begun with "...From the Sea," and "Forward...From the Sea." This concept links well-developed Marine Corps fire support doctrine to the evolving concept of Operational Maneuver From the Sea. It is the conceptual foundation from which requirements and doctrine for future fire support systems will be derived during the combat development process.

 

The Battlefield

 

     By 2020, the demographic trend of population migration toward urban areas will have resulted in large population densities in the littoral regions. Should unrest in these densely populated regions threaten the interests of the United States, the National Command Authorities can decide to commit military forces for crisis resolution.

 

     Because of the forward presence of naval forces, it can be anticipated that naval forces will be the first to be called upon to resolve the conflicts of 2020. The increased tactical mobility, gained through the fielding of such systems as the MV-22, combined with the employment concept of Operational Maneuver From the Sea, will result in nearly all targets in the littoral regions of the world being within striking distance of naval forces.

 

     The enemy we may face in this urban, littoral, battlefield will, even if relatively unsophisticated, be capable of employing modern weapon systems. These weapons will be more capable in terms of range, accuracy, and lethality. Their concerns for limiting collateral damage and casualties may be low, while our desire to minimize friendly and noncombatant casualties will be high. Finally, we can never discount the threat's ability to use weapons of mass destruction.

 

    The diversity and dispersion of potential threats pose a challenge to Marine Corps planners charged with preparing forces to be employed in this disorderly world. The conflicts will be varied and unpredictable, and will require a versatile and flexible naval force to effectively respond to them.

 

  

OPERATIONAL CONCEPTS

 

Operational Maneuver From the Sea

 

     Operational Maneuver From the Sea is a versatile concept for focusing the actions of all elements of a naval force and projecting naval power ashore in support of a strategic objective. Operational Maneuver From the Sea is a warfighting concept that applies the tenets of maneuver warfare to a maritime campaign. It couples concepts with technological advances in speed, mobility, firepower, communications, and navigation to seamlessly and rapidly identify and exploit weaknesses across the entire range of military operations. OMFTS is part of a maneuver campaign that originates from, is sustained from, and upon mission completion, returns to the sea base.

 

Fires in Support of Operational Maneuver From The Sea

 

     We will use the effects of fires to enable maneuver, just as we use maneuver to exploit the effects of fires. The preponderance of fires will be sea-based during the initial stages of OMFTS, to take advantage of the maneuver space the sea provides. Sea-basing fire support also increases force protection for the fire support systems, since all efforts to protect the fleet inherently protect onboard fire support systems. Sea-basing will also reduce the amount of forces required ashore.

 

     Fire support systems will be capable of providing the force with fires appropriate to the tactical and operational situation. At times, precise, low volume fires will be delivered which have the necessary effect on target but also limit collateral damage. At other times, the force will be provided massed, lethal fires that enable maneuver, protect the force, or shape the battlefield.

 

     The fire support system (target acquisition, command and control, weapons and munitions) will provide the appropriate degree of response (force) for the situation. This range of fire support engagement options, such as lethal or nonlethal, or varied munitions effects, will allow us to capitalize on our ability to engage the enemy in an asymmetrical manner.  This makes it difficult for him to counter our actions, consequently placing him in a tactical dilemma.

 

     Fire support coordination procedures will be streamlined to improve responsiveness. Fire support command and control systems will provide all elements of the naval force with a common battlefield picture and the means to effectively and efficiently employ fires. To provide effective fires, all fire support systems will have the ability to deliver fires with increased range and accuracy, and improved lethality.

 

     Naval surface fire support will provide long range, accurate fires, from over the horizon, capable of supporting the maneuver force operating deep in a littoral region. Using the sea's maneuver space to enable target engagement and provide force protection, naval surface fires will provide an unparalleled capability to influence events ashore in the littorals.

 

     Air fires will continue to provide close and deep air support against targets to facilitate the commander's efforts to shape the battlefield. By sea-basing our aviation, we take advantage of the logistical support inherent in operating afloat as well as reducing our need to defend large area air bases ashore. Aviation will continue to have the capability of operating from expeditionary, shore based sites, should it become advantageous to do so.

 

     While aviation and naval surface fire support will provide substantial fire support to maneuver elements, the capability to provide fire support from ashore is essential to the overall fire support effort. This added dimension of fire support increases the fire power available to the force commander while also ensuring that responsive, day and night, all weather, neutralizing and suppressive fires are available. The amount of fire support which is brought ashore will be the force commander's decision, based upon the tactical situation and expected effects of the environment on other available fire support systems.

 

    Those fire support systems that are shore-based will have tactical mobility equal to the ground maneuver force. These fire support systems will not, however, require a large shore-based logistics force to be effective. The combat service support that is required will be self contained or possess sufficient mobility so that support provided is never degraded by its inability to maneuver.

 

    A mix of complementary fire support systems provide tactical flexibility for the force commander. It also yields increased fire support effectiveness through the synergistic effect of fires--air, land, and sea. No single fire support system will be the sole source of a vital capability since the loss of that system would cripple the entire fire support effort. We will minimize the ability of enemy actions or battlefield environment to limit our operational reach.

 

 

 

   

     During Ship to Objective Maneuver, the preponderance of fire support will be provided by naval and air fires. Naval fires will provide direct support during ship to objective maneuver. Naval fires can also provide general support fires against selected high payoff/value targets. Air fires will continue to provide close and deep air support against targets to facilitate the commander's efforts to shape the battlefield. In addition to sea-based fires, ground-based fires will be employed to enhance responsiveness and fill fire support gaps. We must be able to cover gaps during periods of vulnerability. A mutually supporting fire support system must be able to provide fires during all phases of Ship to Objective Maneuver. Envisioned is a ground-based fire support system that can cover the spectrum of fire support from platoon to MEF commander. During the initial stages of ship to objective maneuver, a ground-based system will accompany maneuver and provide responsive support to engaged maneuver forces conducting the close fight. As the situation develops, and if required, a ground-based system must also be able to support the deep fight and complement the force commander's battlefield shaping capability.

   

     Finally, fire support systems must be fully capable of supporting the Marine Air Ground Task Force commander during possible subsequent operations ashore, as well as during other expeditionary operations.

 

 

FIRE SUPPORT CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

     The Marine Corps faces many challenges and opportunities in bringing supporting arms to bear in Operational Maneuver From the Sea. At the heart of Operational Maneuver From the Sea is the need to provide both massed and precision fires, depending on the target and the operational situation. To project power and dominate the battlespace, Operational Maneuver From the Sea requires responsive, long-range, high-volume, all-weather, and day/night fires. To avoid the enemy's main forces during initial stages of forcible entry, Operational Maneuver From the Sea requires supporting fires to isolate and fix the enemy to deny him freedom of maneuver and action. Long-range firepower reinforces freedom of action, provides a force protection capability, and supports operational surprise.

 

     Operational Maneuver From the Sea identifies fire support requirements that can only be met by complementary, overlapping, and redundant fire support systems. We cannot allow the battlefield to be divided among the fire support agencies. Each system clearly has strengths, but we must ensure support is provided throughout the depth of the battlefield. We need a combination of mutually supporting systems. Fires must be responsive, long-range, capable of high volume, functional in all weather conditions, and available day or night to support fast moving and far ranging maneuver elements, including the unique challenge of fire support in urban areas. Effective fire support will depend on a triad of ground, air, and naval fire support to provide the flexibility Marines will need under all conditions. Command and control systems must be fully incorporated into this fire support picture; in effect, providing the glue that holds it all together.

 

Directions

 

     The implementation of Operational Maneuver From the Sea will place increasing demands on fire support. Naval forces must continue efforts to improve the range, accuracy and lethality of fires. The force must be able to acquire fixed and mobile targets and quickly and effectively engage them with precision and area fires. Maneuver forces ashore will continue to rely on naval surface fire support, augmented by their ground-based fire support capability, especially during the critical, early entry phase of an amphibious operation. Accordingly, naval surface fire support will be compatible with organic landing force fire support in command and control and target acquisition. Advantages can be gained through munitions commonality between sea and ground-based systems.

 

Key Fire Support Capabilities

 

     The achievement of the Advanced Expeditionary Fire Support--The System After Next concept is dependent on overcoming significant challenges in accuracy, command and control, flexibility, lethality, mobility, range, responsiveness, and sustainability.   

 

     The defining challenge is to provide continuous, responsive fires to forces maneuvering at significantly greater depth. The true measure of effectiveness of the fire support system is its ability to deliver timely, accurate fires that have the desired effects. Some specific capabilities are outlined below.

 

Accuracy. Significant technological advancements in precision will contribute to the successful outcome of operations by allowing us to efficiently engage targets and shape the battlespace. Precise target engagement covers one end of the accuracy requirement. Less precise, but still accurate, fires in support of maneuver forces in contact with the enemy is another. Precision/guided munitions are needed, but not to the exclusion of inexpensive, high volume munitions. Both precise and less precise munitions are required to provide the ground commander effective close supporting fires. Increased accuracy also reduces ammunition consumption, thus easing sustainment requirements. Fire support must offer the commander a wide variety of effects; from non-precision, wide-area target attack for neutralization or suppression missions, to precision guided point target strikes for destruction missions on critical/high value targets, especially in urban environments.

 

Command and Control. Operational Maneuver from the Sea requires a single command and control system that incorporates all battlefield functions, links all subscribers, and provides a common picture of the battlespace. Situational awareness is a critical factor in the ability to provide responsive fire support. The future command and control system must provide all firing agencies with the ability to share the tactical picture of maritime and land operations. Future command and control systems must provide the commander the ability to instantaneously monitor and influence events when necessary.

 

     The implementation of OMFTS stresses the requirement for long range, reliable, high capacity communication systems. A command and control architecture that supports fluid operations over great distances is required. Communications must be reliable, flexible and continuous to provide an efficient, effective flow of information.

 

     One of the cornerstones of the command and control system is the link to a target acquisition capability. The target acquisition system must be tied into the command and control system that gives the fire support system its situational awareness and the commander an ability to control his fire support. Ground forces require assistance in locating targets in both the initial phases of amphibious operations and during subsequent operations ashore. A flexible, long range, and robust sea-based target acquisition capability is a crucial addition to the target acquisition element.

 

     The ground-based system should include capabilities that allow for independent operations while still maintaining the capability to mass fires. This includes the capability for self-location, self-orientation and independent fire direction.

 

Flexibility. Flexibility will be achieved by providing the commander with fire support options. Flexible, effective fire support will depend on a balanced triad of ground, air, and naval fire support to capitalize on the inherent capabilities of each component. Too much dependence on one type of fire support creates a potential critical vulnerability.

     

     Air and sea-based fire support are critical elements of the OMFTS fire support triad but their availability and effectiveness may be reduced because of the threat capability, operational unavailability or severe weather. The fire support system in its totality must provide continuous support to the deep, close and counterfire battles.

 

     OMFTS requires the commander to adjust his scheme of maneuver based on the situation ashore. Fire support systems must have the flexibility to meet this potentially rapidly changing environment.

 

Lethality. Lethality spans the spectrum from massed suppressive fires to precision munitions used against high payoff/value targets. Throughout an operation, long-range, high-volume suppressive fires must be available. We continue to improve our ability to deliver precision fires against point targets, however, the landing force will continue to require immediate, all weather, high-volume suppressive fires to defeat enemy forces.

 

     Nonlethal fires offer increased fire support options. The options available cover the spectrum from psychological warfare leaflet drops to electronic attack. Nonlethal fires become increasingly important, and may be the optimum choice, in an urban littoral environment complicated by the presence of many non-combatants.

 

Mobility. OMFTS requires rapid movement and emphasizes the principle of generating overwhelming tempo and momentum. Successful execution of OMFTS necessitates an increase in the tactical mobility of fire support systems. Mobility is a major issue for the next ground-based fire support system, a lesser issue for naval and aviation fires. Naval systems may be the most mobile and least restricted of all means of fire support. Naval mobility is likely to be restricted only by the naval threat, operational environment (e.g., weather, hydrography), or Navy tasking elsewhere.

 

     The next generation ground-based fire support systems must

have the same mobility as the maneuver forces they support. With increased mobility and a greater level of protection, the ground-based system can be positioned with maneuver elements thus maximizing its range to the supported unit. Rapid emplacement, and displacement after firing, is a required capability of the ground-based system.

 

     Ground-based fire support systems (weapons)and all required support must be capable of being moved ashore by the mobility platforms available in 2020 and beyond or be self-deployable. The movement ashore must be accomplished in an efficient manner to provide a rapid buildup of force without consuming a disproportionate share of available lift. The ground-based system must be expeditionary. It must be quickly deployable on amphibious shipping, maritime prepositioned force shipping, and on strategic lift aircraft.

  

      Range. The fire support systems of the triad must complement and mutually support each other. With the depth and width of the OMFTS battlespace extended to cover both close and deep targets the commander must capitalize on the range of each fire support weapon to fight the deep battle and shape the entire battlespace. In the future, weapon ranges should be pushed to as far as available technology can provide. The ranges of most aircraft are adequate to meet the fire support requirements of OMFTS. As the mobility of maneuver forces continue to improve, the range of the close battle will increase. Future weapon systems must provide effective fires at greater ranges than currently possible.

 

     The availability and range of sea-based and aviation assets may at times be limited by the operational environment, such as the threat or severe weather. Additionally, these assets may be diverted to higher priority missions. For these reasons, the ground-based fire support system must have the range to support the close battle and provide the commander a battlespace shaping capability.

 

Responsiveness. Fire support systems must respond to requests for fires with sufficient speed and accuracy to support the maneuver elements. There is a distinction between fires in support of the battlefield shaping effort and those fires in support of maneuver elements.

 

     One category of responsiveness is those fires used to support the battlespace shaping effort. Targets in this category are fixed and/or do not project an immediate danger to maneuver forces. Range and accuracy are the dominant characteristics of battlespace shaping fires.

 

      Another category of responsiveness are those fires in support of maneuver forces in contact with the enemy. Reduced time of flight and increased volume of fire are critical considerations for this category of fires. A subset of this category are those fires delivered against enemy indirect fire systems--Counterfire. Reducing target engagement time, especially for sea-based fires, is critical since it will provide the preponderance of support during the initial phases of the operation.

 

     The system after next must also provide fire support to forces not traditionally engaged in the close fight (for example, combat service support), where precision as well as responsiveness is vital.

 

   Sustainability. Accompanying an increased emphasis on sea based fire support is the equally important increase in sea-basing of logistics. The goal is to transition from a materiel intensive "logistics push" system to a more flexible and responsive "logistics pull" system. Logistics pull will also reduce transportation requirements during the initial phases of the amphibious operation.

 

     This process is dependent on a command and control system that provides total asset visibility. This will enable maneuver forces to communicate "real time" requirements and efficiently manage the delivery of supplies.

 

     All fire support systems may be impacted by the sustainability issue, but ground-based fire support systems are the most vulnerable due to their high volume resupply requirements. Improvements in reliability, increased component modularity, and system commonality, will reduce sustainment requirements while increasing system availability. Increased accuracy of future systems will reduce ammunition consumption, thus easing sustainment requirements. Improvements in mobility will enhance logistics resupply at the "right time and right place."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSION--THE FUTURE OF FIRE SUPPORT

 

     To ensure the force commander has available at all times, and under all conditions, sufficient fire support, a triad of air, ground, and sea-based fires is necessary. Individually, one leg of the triad can not stand alone and meet the fire support needs of the MAGTF commander. Since no one system can meet all required capabilities, systems must be mutually supporting. In addition to bringing a unique capability to the fight, each system should be able to cover deficiencies or capability gaps of other systems. Furthermore, no single system should provide a sole source capability since the loss of that system would cripple the entire fire support effort. A balanced approach, combining all legs of the triad, is required to provide effective, continuous fire support to the MAGTF.

 

     All future fire support systems must share a common battlespace picture. Future fire support systems must provide the commander with sufficient responsiveness, accuracy, mobility, and range to support his maneuver, while not presenting an overwhelming sustainment cost.

 

     Fire support must remain integrated with all other forms of combat power to successfully execute Operational Maneuver From the Sea. Each element of the triad is a complementary part of the fire support team. Employed as a whole it will fight and win.

 

Bibliography

 

Advanced Expeditionary Fire Support Working Group Meeting. Group System Five working group input printout, 6 November 1996. Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, VA: November, 1996.

 

Anderson, Gary, Col, USMC and Terry Pierce, Cdr, USN. "Revolution In Military Affairs: Leaving the Technocratic Tunnel" Draft submitted to Joint Force Quarterly, undated.

 

Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command. Letter to Chief of Naval Operations (N86 and 85). 3900/C44. Subject: "Naval Surface Fire Support for Operational Maneuver From The Sea." 3 December 1996.

 

Editors, Marine Corps Gazette. "Commentary on OMTS'' Marine Corps Gazette, July 1996: 13‑15.

 

Editors, Surface Warfare Magazine. "An Interview With Lt. Gen. Paul K. Van Riper" Surface Warfare Magazine, Vol. 2 1, No, 3 (May/June 1996): 30‑31.

 

I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Paper. "Fire Support for the MEF 1997 2010." 2 December 1996.

 

Marine Corps Combat Development Command. "Fire Support Mission Area Analysis." Section 2 extract provided by Concepts Division, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, VA: Undated.

 

Marine Corps concept paper. "Operational Maneuver From The Sea" Headquarters, US Marine Corps, June, 1996.

 

Marine Corps concept paper (Draft). "A Concept for Ship to Objective Maneuver" Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, VA: Undated.

 

McConnell, Kevin, Major, USMC. "1996 MAGTF Fire Support Conference" Field Artillery Journal, September/October 1996.

 

Pierce, Terry, Cdr, USN "Operational Maneuver From the Sea." Proceedings, August 1994: 31‑34.

 

Van Riper, Paul K., LtGen, USMC. "Naval Surface Fires in Support of Operational Maneuver From The Sea" Briefing slides, copies held by the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, VA: Undated