The U.S. Navy is shifting its focus to becoming a greater force integrated with that of the U.S. Navy, leaders of the two services said. Both services will focus more on coordinated rather than complementary operations, which will be supported by advanced communication and network technologies.
These were among the points discussed in the initial session of the panel in West 2021, a two-day virtual conference co-funded by AFCEA International and USNI. Held on June 29-30, the focus of the event is on the promise and progress of maritime integration.
The industry needs to communicate with us. Tell us where you are fiscally constrained and where our requirements are too optimistic. General Eric M. Smith, USMC, Deputy Commander for Combat Development and Integration and Commanding General of the MCCDC @USMC # ЗАПАД2021
– Bob Ackerman (@rkackerman) June 29, 2021
Vice Administrator James Kilby, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Combat Requirements and Capabilities, N9, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, said the Navy has largely focused on power forecasting, but that approach has changed. “We are now trying to balance our forces to focus on sea control and power projection,” he said.
We recently focused on power projection. We are now trying to balance our forces to focus on sea control and power projection. – Vice-Administrator James Kilby, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Combat Requirements and Capabilities, N9, @USNavyCNO #WEST 2021
– Bob Ackerman (@rkackerman) June 29, 2021
And the Marines are part of this new strategy. It is integrated into the fleet’s operations to a greater extent, which changes the way it works. “What we are doing is allowing the fleet to maneuver. That’s what we’ve always done, “said Lt. Gen. Eric M. Smith, USMC, Deputy Commander for Combat Development and Integration and Commander-in-Chief. Marine Corps Combat Development Command. Now, “We allow for distributed maritime operations. We give the opportunity to deny the sea, “he added.
We [USMC] activation of distributed maritime operations. We give the opportunity to deny the sea. General Eric M. Smith, USMC, Deputy Commander for Combat Development and Integration and Commander-in-Chief of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command @USMC # ЗАПАД2021
– Bob Ackerman (@rkackerman) June 29, 2021
This change is partly driven by the rapidly growing strength of the People’s Liberation Army Naval Forces or PLAN. “If you look at the PLAN in 2000 and in 2025, it is ahead of us,” said Adm. Kilby. “We need to join forces and deploy them differently.”
Traditionally, the Marines are considered a force that is taken from the sea and applied to the shore of the enemy. “Let’s reverse the scenario and look at the Marines, which have an effect at sea – to control the ocean, to create problems for the enemy,” the admiral suggested. “The ability to connect different sensors and weapons and combat systems – that’s what it’s about.”
Let’s turn the tide and look at the Marines that have an effect at sea. – Vice-Administrator James Kilby, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Combat Requirements and Capabilities, N9, @USNavyCNO # ЗАПАД2021
– Bob Ackerman (@rkackerman) June 29, 2021
And networking can be the key to successfully integrating Marine and Navy operations. “We have a great system and we have great operators, but it requires an extraordinary amount of knowledge and there is instability in the system,” said Adm. Kilby. “It’s too complicated, too difficult and too fragile.”
He noted that Counter-Administrator Douglas Small, a US state commander of the Naval Information Warfare Command (NAVWAR), is working to address this challenge. Software-defined radio stations and communications as a service can offer the best opportunity to send information over many different networks to the desired recipient, suggests administrator Kilby. A network system that is stronger and more resilient in a competitive environment will be vital.
And Project Overmatch will provide that networking environment, he continued. “Project Overmatch will provide this architecture to connect all the manned and unmanned systems we will need in the future, and will include the Navy and Marines,” he said. “This is a key basis,” he said, adding that he must build the system forward to include unmanned capabilities.
Project Overmatch will provide this architecture to connect all the manned and unmanned systems we will need in the future, and will include the Navy and Marine Corps. – Vice-Administrator James Kilby, USN, DCNO for Combat Requirements and Capabilities, N9, @USNavyCNO # ЗАПАД2021
– Bob Ackerman (@rkackerman) June 29, 2021
General Smith agreed on the importance of Project Overmatch. “The Overmatch project is the key for us to start where we align,” he said. “We are not completely aligned – we are two different services of different sizes. What you do is start where you line up – the fox hole, if you will – and make a backup and go as far as possible while you have a completely seamless integrated communication architecture that also suits the general community. “
General Smith also called for a “tactical cloud” to allow the military access to key information. “We want the ability to put useful data in a tactical cloud that can be accessed through personal certificates. We can’t do it with multitasking, “he said. “The ability to have a protected tactical cloud is very important to us.”
Comments are closed.