Littoral Combat Ship: Thinking about speed . . . . . . .

This is the second in a series of posts in which I will attempt to convey my view of the current LCS and DDG-1000 shipbuilding programs that I believe have the potential to add important contributions to future surface combatants.  I have decided to address the LCS speed requirement first because I believe that this is one of the more troubling aspects of this program, but I do not believe (as many others) that the speed requirement was as entirely misplaced as it is commonly described.

First some context.  The LCS threshold and objective speed key performance parameters were 40 kts and 50 kts respectively.  I have not had the pleasure of reading the CONOPS of the LCS in the requirements documents, so I find it a little challenging to analyze whether this speed requirement is truly a misguided requirement as many claim.

One aspect of the speed requirement that is really not up for debate is the fact that this feature has constrained the designs of the ship to some degree as well as being some level of cost driver for the program.  The issue with constraining the design is that the speed requirement certainly impacted other trade-space for the design, and it would be interesting to be privy to the accomodations that had to be made to other systems to meet the speed requirement.  The impact on cost is not clear from the publicly available information but I assume that it had some negative impact that resulted in some level of cost growth.  That said, I believe that other aspects of the acquisition process (such as introducing the requirement to conform to ABS Naval Vessel Rules relatively late in the design process) are probably greater cost drivers for the ships than the speed requirement.

Many commentators seem convinced that the LCS speed requirement will not offer enough return on investment in terms of operational capability to justify the expense.  This is probably true, but without seeing the CONOPS it is not possible to make anything other than an educated speculation in this regard.  That said, I will leave you with the following thoughts.

First, the LCS speed requirement has resulted in a relatively unique hull design for PCU Independence (LCS 2).  This kind of innovation should be viewed as a positive development as the Navy moves forward.

                                   

Finally, an ocean transit of 2500 nautical miles (approximately the transit distance from Norfolk, VA to the Panama Canal), the difference in arrival times assuming the following speed of advance figures are shown below:

        35 knots:    71.4 hours -or- 2 days 23.4 hours

        25 knots:  100.0 hours -or- 4 days   4.0 hours

At the pace of modern contingency operations, does 1 day and 4.6 hours make a difference to the COCOM.  If the problem were mines, and given the economic impact of shipping through the Panama Canal the answer is probably yes.

V/R,

Future Readiness, A Discussion of LCS, DDG-1000 and a Way Forward

I have decided that it is time to weigh in on the surface combatant shipbuilding debate, and to kick things off I believe it is appropriate to start weighing in on the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) procurement program.

Before I begin to share my own opinions on this ship class, I would be remiss if I did not call attention to others (far more influential than I) that have weighed into the debate.  I will take the liberty of classifying my own interpretations of these diverse points of view.

The Traditionalist POV: CDR Salamander 's posts regarding the LCS program generally (in my opinion) represent the traditionalist point of view regarding surface combatants.  He argues from a position that is backed by a long history (and experience) in surface ship warfare.  His regular followers tend to staunchly defend this perspective.

The  Realistic POV: Galrahn continues to remain skeptical, but he remains relatively open-minded regarding the efficacy of the LCS program as it is currently being executed.  That said, my reading of his original posts is that the LCS program as currently constructed should be viewed as an experiment that the should inform future shipbuilding programs going forward.  There are political and cost risks associated with this approach.

The Futuristic POV: Mike Burleson weighs in  with his vision of future "small" surface combatants.  I am pretty sure that I do not agree with many of Mike's proposals, but he continues to further the debate and his opinions (and those of his commenters) and experience and intuition should be valued.  I am of the opinion that Mike's primary concern is cost (and this is a legitimate concern), but his focus on decreasing the displacement of ships IOT reduce cost might work but also might not.

All of these observers and analysts of the USN have provided varying perspectives on the Future Readiness of the United States Navy.  My own opinions have been shaped by all of their commentary, and I look forward to sharing my own view as the debate over Future Readiness of the USN continues.

V/R,

General Petraeus on "Network Centric" Warfare

On Thursday, 12 November 2009, General David Petraeus was interviewed by Michael O'Hanlon as part of the Bloomberg sponsored Washington Summit.  The entire presentation was exceptional and dealt mostly with explaining the success of COIN in Iraq and relating those efforts to some of the unique challenges facing General McCrystal in Afghanistan.

One of the more interesting topics came during the audience question and answer period.  The questioner suggested that only the United States and to a lesser degree Great Britain were equipped and trained to conduct Network Centric Warfare.  He then questioned General Petraeus regarding the potential for the United States to work to train and equip other coalition partners with Network Centric Warfare equipment and doctrine.

General Petraeus aswer follows:

First of all, if I could, just with respect, correct a term that I have never felt was accurate.  Warfare is not network centric.  It's commander centric.  And that commander is enabled by networks.

And we went through - this is actually a hugely important concept that you approach it that way.  And in fact we've had to work - in fact I came home from Iraq the second time and went out to Fort Leavenworth, I was also in charge of our combat training centers and the simulations centers and all the rest of us that do the very high level exercises.

We did some major overhauls because we actually were a bit too networked and too staff centric.  And anyone who had actually commanded in real combat, which we hadn't done for several decades, actually, realized that it's actually about the commander who's enabled by this network.  And it is a very, very powerful tool. . . . . . . .

The big idea with this stuff is that you need to start out with a concept of need to share rather than need to know.  If you actually - if the intelligence analyst actually writes the report in the beginning with a sense of sharing it as widely as possible, as opposed to making it the perfect document that can only be released to one or five partners or what have you, you have a breakthrough. 

And so we have to do that conceptually in addition.  Now with respect to how do you spread that to other countries, I think that other countries have really seen the power of what it is that we have.  The challenge is obviously their procurement accounts are nothing like ours.  I think it is true now that the United States spends more than all the other countries put together win that regard in defense.  So that's the challenge that they have.

I like General Petraeus' re-definition of Network Centric Warfare.  I also like the philosophy that he advocates of "need to share" vice "need to know"  when approaching the problem of information dissemination.  There are probably concepts outlined in General Petraeus' reply that the Navy could do well to heed.

V/R,

LCS Mission Module Debutante Cotillion?

The BPAUV is part of the Mine Countermeasures Mission Module delivered to the USS Freedom in 2007. Image courtesy of AUVfest 2008: Partnership Runs Deep, Navy/NOAA, OceanExplorer.noaa.gov


The information concerning the testing and delivery of the LCS Mission Modules has been relatively muted.  This little gem slipped quietly out on a NAVSEA newswire in early October 2009.  Although sparse on details, I cannot help but wonder if this is the beginning of good news for a publicly troubled program.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. - The first Mine Countermeasures Mission Package (MCM MP) for Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) successfully completed End-to-End (E2E) testing during at-sea operations off of Panama City, Fla., in August.

The test conducted at Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) validated the ability of the MCM MP Application Software to establish command and control, as well as enable operation of the Remote Minehunting System (RMS) and the MCM Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV).

Sailors assigned to the MCM MP detachment from the LCS-class squadron operated and maintained the system during the test period. The MCM MP Detachment Sailors conducted standard RMS and USV missions; validated operational and maintenance procedures; and collected technical performance measure data.

Different Mission Modules comprise Mission Packages, a combined set of remote sensors, precision weapons, software components and off-board vehicles packaged in a modular fashion to easily and quickly swap in and out of the LCS. Each mission package provides warfighting capabilities for focused mission area. The MCM MP is specifically designed for the detection and neutralization of mine threats.

The August testing focused on two of the four MCM Mission Modules: the Remote Minehunting Module and Unmanned Influence Sweep Module. The Coastal Mine Reconnaissance and the Organic Airborne MCM Modules will be part of future testing. The next phase of MCM MP E2E testing is tentatively scheduled for summer 2010.

NSWC PCD, a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), is the technical direction agent for the MCM Mission Package. The Program Executive Office (PEO) Littoral and Mine Warfare's is an affiliated PEO of the NAVSEA. PEO LMW designs, delivers and maintains the systems, equipment and weapons needed by the warfighter to dominate the littoral battle space and provide the Warfighter Assured Access.

I believe that modularity and interface management will be critical elements of USN Surface Shipbuilding programs going forward.   The LCS experience has been at times a bitter pill to swallow, but conceptually I think the modularity will play a central roll in defining a roadmap to a more affordable (and capable) fleet.  More to follow. . . . . . .
V/R,

234th Marine Corps Birthday

A committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, PA, and drafted a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines to fight for freedom both at sea and ashore.  The resolution was officially adopted on 10 November 1775 forming the Continental Marines. 

As we celebrate the 234th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, I believe it is appropriate to reflect on how we are blessed as a nation to have these exceptional men and women serving in the cause of freedom.

From the hand of the "Lion of Fallujah," in a letter written to the children of a fallen Marine Corps comrade, we can begin to glimpse what it means to serve in an organization that prides itself on being "No better friend -- No worse enemy."

Dear Kiana and Alek,

Ray and I had a conversation late May in 2004 while we were deployed to Iraq. He spoke of why he fought. He fought to give the people of Iraq a chance. He fought to crush those who would terrorize and enslave others. He fought to protect his fellow Marines.

The last thing he told me that day was, "I don't want any of these people (terrorists) telling my kids how to act, or how to dress. I don't want to worry about the safety of my children." Kiana and Alek, your father fought for many things, but always remember, he fought for you.

As you fight this battle we call life, you will find your challenges greater, your adversity larger, your enemies more numerous. The beautiful thing is, you will grow stronger, smarter, faster, and you will overcome the obstacles in your way.

No one could've better prepared you than your father. In the month and a half your family stayed with me in Laguna Niguel, Calif., while waiting for base housing to open up, I saw how, with the help of your incredible mother, he instilled in you the essentials to life:

Live with integrity, for without integrity we deceive ourselves, we live in a house of cards.

Fight for what you believe, for without valor, we lose our freedom.

Be willing to sacrifice, for anything worthy in life requires sacrifice.

Be disciplined, for it is discipline that builds the foundation of your success.

You will encounter misguided people in your life who may question America's attempt to help the people of Iraq and the Middle East. These pathetic windbags, who have nothing so sacred in their lives that they would be willing to fight for it, will argue and debate endlessly on what we should've done.

While they criticize, they forget the truth, or conveniently overlook the fact that it takes men and women of action, willing to make a sacrifice, to free the enslaved, to advance the cause of freedom.

Our great nation was built on the shoulders of men like your father. While the nay-sayers and cowards hid in the shadows sniveling that nothing was worth dying for, men like your dad carved our liberty away from the English, freed the slaves and kept the Union together, saved Europe from the Germans twice; rescued the Pacific away from the Japanese, defeated communism, and right now, fight terrorism and plant the seeds of democracy in the Middle East.

Your father was a warrior, but being a warrior is not always about fighting. He was patient with those he led, and he understood people make mistakes. He cared about the men he led as if they were his own family. To him, they were. His work ethic was tremendous. But he made time for his family, to enjoy life. He was balanced, at equilibrium. He was an inspiration. He was my friend.

In your future, when you are pushed against a wall, in a tight spot, outnumbered and seemingly overwhelmed, it may be tempting to give up, or even use the absence of your father as a crutch, as an excuse for failure.

Don't. Your father's passing, while tragic, serves as an endless source of your empowerment. Your father would not want you to wallow in self-pity. I know you will honor him by living your life in the positive example he set. Respect and remember him. Drive on with your lives. Serve something greater than yourself. Enjoy all the good things that life has to offer. That is what he would want.

Kiana! I have never met a more capable young lady in my life. You are the most well-read, articulate, disciplined young person I know. Often I tell people of the arm-bar you demonstrated on me in your parents' garage. When you become a worldwide Judo champion, I will say with great pride, "that woman nearly torqued my shoulder out when she was 11 years old!"

If my daughter grows up with a quarter of the strength of your principles, determination and intelligence, she will be an incredible human being. Like your mother, you are a beautiful woman, a fact of which you should be proud.

Alek! You are blessed with your father's strength of character and his unbreakable will and his broad shoulders. Your mother gave you her determination and unwavering mental toughness.

Your mother told me the story of you hanging up the sign, "Be a leader, not a follower." My eyes well up every time that I think of you doing that. My eyes fill not with tears of sadness, but of pride, to know you grasped the mindset your father passed on to you. This mindset will allow you to be a leader and protector like your father, and one day, to raise an upright, solid-as-a-rock family of your own.

When I look in your eyes, I see your father. Courageous, determined and resolute, your father embodied all that is virtuous in a warrior. Even now, you strive to embody his same character. Remember, there will never be any pressure for you to be exactly like your father. Be your own man, but build your character in his image.

Many people may be concerned about your future because of the early passing of your father. I don't worry at all. Your dad gave you all you ever need to become a great woman and a great man. I know your father would have told you to be your own hero/heroine. Don't wait for someone to rise up and lead you to victory, to your goals. If you do, you might wait for a very long time.

Ray died as a warrior, sword in hand, in service of his country, his comrades and you, his loved ones. His spirit and example give us all hope, reaffirms our faith. Your father reminds us there are men willing to fight for people that they don't even know so that all may live in peace.

I joined the Corps to serve beside men like your father. There is no other Marine I'd rather have protecting my flank in combat than your dad. Even now, as I write this letter in Iraq, I will honor him on the field of battle by slaying as many of our enemies as possible, and fight until our mission is accomplished.

You will always be in our lives. Please stay in touch. We will always be in your corner for assistance, advice or just conversation. Pam and I plan to retire in Idaho and would love for you to visit us so we can take you white-water rafting and mountain climbing.

Very Respectfully,

Doug

V/R,