Submarine Roles And Missions Essay Research Paper

Submarine Roles And Missions Essay, Research Paper

SUBMARINE ROLES AND MISSIONS

The fundamental changes in the U.S. Submarine Force since the end of the Cold War involve major shifts in submarine warfighting concepts and doctrine, from the deterrence of global war to the support of U.S. national interests in regional crises and conflicts; from a primary Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) orientation against nuclear powered submarines to taking full advantage of the modern submarine’s multi-mission capabilities; from weapon loadouts of primarily MK 48 torpedoes to Tomahawk Land-Attack missiles or other weapons. This changing operational context has rippled through all elements of U.S. submarine operations, from peacetime presence to strategic deterrence.

The transitions in the submarine force follow directly from the transitions in the world order and the evolving nature of the U.S. Navy. The world order has shifted from a bi-polar superpower alignment to a multi-polar collection of interests. While the likelihood of global conflict is greatly reduced, there is an increasing chance of regional conflict. The composition and operational posture of the U.S. Navy reflects this, having changed from a blue water emphasis to a littoral emphasis. For the submarine force this has meant several changes in roles:

+ Prior to the end of the Cold War, Anti-Submarine Warfare was the major role for U.S. Attack Submarines. Now U.S. submarines are more multi-mission oriented.

+ Intelligence gathering has shifted from strategic to tactical reconnaissance.

+ The “Silent Service” is no longer completely silent, but exchanges information covertly with other U.S. forces.

The submarine force is learning how to synergistically interoperate with other Navy and Joint communities for mutual mission accomplishment. This includes “community alliances” such as:

+ Force Protection/Strike with Aircraft Carrier Battle Groups and Amphibious Ready Groups.

+ Special Warfare with Special Operating Forces (such as Navy SEALs)

+ Intelligence with the Surveillance community.

The primary roles and missions for the U.S. submarine force are:

+ Peacetime Engagement

+ Surveillance and Intelligence

+ Special Operations

+ Precision Strike

+ Battlegroup Operations

+ Sea Denial

+ Deterrence

PEACETIME ENGAGEMENT

Although the United States is at peace, there is always the potential of regional crises threatening to erupt into armed conflict. During the past half-century, the United States has become involved in similar regional conflicts and crises. Recently, the Navy has played major roles in the evacuation of Americans and other foreign nationals from the unrest in Liberia (Operation Sharp Edge), the liberation of Kuwait and the destruction of Iraq’s offensive capability (Operation Desert Storm), and the simultaneous rescue of Americans from revolution in Somalia (Operation Eastern Exit). In peacetime the deployment of submarines in forward areas can demonstrate U.S. interest in the region. Alternatively, submarines are valuable if the President decides that interest should not be visible until a specific time. The long endurance and high transit speeds of nuclear submarines make them particularly attractive for rapid deployments to forward areas in such circumstances. Once on station the attack submarine can be highly visible – in 1991 U.S. submarines conducted more than 200 port visits to 50 cities around the world – or invisible. This operational flexibility is combined with the versatile firepower of the modern attack submarine. Also, the same submarine can also be used to land small groups of special operations forces, or to conduct surveillance of an area, or carry out electronic surveillance to gain valuable intelligence. These submarines can also operate independently or in direct support of carrier battle groups, surface task forces, or with other submarines.

Return to roles and missions list.

SURVEILLANCE AND INTELLIGENCE

For the past 45 years the attack submarine has been an invaluable platform for surveillance, intelligence, and warning. This capability comes from the submarine’s stealth characteristic… the ability to enter an area to watch, to listen, to collect information without being seen. While satellites and aircraft are used to garner various types of information, their operations are inhibited by weather, cloud cover, and the locations of collection targets. In some situations it is difficult to keep a satellite or aircraft in a position to conduct sustained surveillance of a specific area. And, of course, satellites and aircraft are severely limited in their ability to observe or detect underwater activity. Submarines have been employed in various forms of surveillance and intelligence collection throughout the Cold War. Continuing regional crises and conflicts will require such operations in support of U.S. and allied interests. In the future, submarines may also use Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) or drones to collect intelligence or conduct sustained surveillance of critical regions of the world. These vehicles will be sent out from a submarine to carry sensors into areas where it may not be safe or prudent for the submarine to venture. After fulfilling its mission, the AUV could return to the l

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