Comprehensive Naval Warfare Notes

Command and Control (C2)

• Composite Warfare Commander (CWC) Concept
– Decentralized command philosophy allowing warfare commanders to fight their own fight while the OTC/CO retains overall command.
– Guiding principles: decentralized execution, responsiveness, tactical flexibility, mutual support, and optimized use of organic/special-purpose sensors-shooters.
• CWC Command Structure
– Officer in Tactical Command (OTC) ⇒ Composite Warfare Commander (CWC) ⇒ Principal Warfare Commanders (PWCs) ⇒ Functional Group Commanders (FGCs) ⇒ Resource Coordinators (RCs).
– Enables rapid reaction to multi-axis threats through task delegation.
• Levels of War
– Strategic, Operational, Tactical; CWC functions predominately at the Tactical/Operational interface.
• Call-signs (primary/alternate)
– Air Warfare Commander (AWC) ⇒ "W" / "C"
– Surface Warfare Commander (SUWC) ⇒ "S" / "T"
– Undersea Warfare Commander (USWC) ⇒ "X" / "Y"
– Strike Warfare Commander (STWC) ⇒ "P" / "K"
– Information Warfare Commander (IWC) ⇒ "Q" / "E"
– Functional Groups: Ballistic Missile Defense Commander (BMDC) ⇒ "U"; Maritime Interception Ops Commander (MIOC), etc.
– Resource Coordinators: Air Resource Element Coordinator (AREC), Helicopter Platform Coordinator (HPC), TLAM Launch Area Coordinator (LAC), etc.

Combat Information Center (CIC)

• Primary Mission – “G-P-D-E-D”
– Gather ⇒ Process ⇒ Display ⇒ Evaluate ⇒ Disseminate tactical information to support command & control.
• Secondary Missions
– Control & assist in aircraft, small-boat, amphibious, SAR, navigational, and weapons employment evolutions; aid in EMCON & own-ship safety.
• Conditions of Readiness
– Condition IV (Peacetime cruising): minimal watch teams.
– Condition III (Wartime cruising): wartime steaming watch; normal daily underway.
– Condition II (Modified GQ): battle stations for a specific warfare area (e.g., Surface, ASW, Strike).
– Condition I (General Quarters): every battle station manned; maximum readiness.
• CIC Watch Team Key Billets
– Tactical Action Officer (TAO): direct representative of CO for tactical employment of ship/CSG assets; has weapons release authority when authorized.
– CIC Watch Officer (CICWO): manages CIC equipment/personnel; ensures data flow to TAO/Bridge.
– Additional stations (examples): Surface Watch Supervisor, Air Watch Coordinator, EW Supervisor, Anti-Submarine Evaluator, Local Air Controller (LAC), Data Link Manager, etc.

Weapons Systems

• Naval Guidance Systems
– Command, Active Homing, Semi-Active Homing, Passive, Inertial/GPS, Beam Rider, Terrestrial Scene Matching (DSMAC), Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM).
• Weapon Designations
– Prefix (Missile = "R", Guided = "G", Surface Ship = "S", etc.) per Joint Designation System.
• Surface Weapons
– Primary missions: AAW, ASuW, ASW, Strike, BMD, NSFS.
– Homing features: SM-2/SM-6 ⇒ semi-active/active; Harpoon ⇒ active radar; NSM ⇒ IR; TLAM ⇒ INS/GPS/TERCOM/DSMAC.
• Airborne Weapons
– AIM-120 AMRAAM (active radar, AAW), AGM-88 HARM (passive RF, SEAD), AGM-114 Hellfire (semi-active laser, ASuW/land).
• Undersea Weapons & Sensors
– Mk 48 ADCAP Torpedo ⇒ passive/active acoustic homing; CAPTOR mine; sonar suites (AN/SQQ-89), towed arrays, variable depth sonars.

Ships

• Primary Ship Classes of the US Navy
– Aircraft Carrier (CVN), Cruiser (CG), Destroyer (DDG), Frigate (FFG), Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), Amphibious Assault (LHD/LHA), Dock Landing (LSD), Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD), Submarines (SSN/SSBN/SSGN), Combat Logistics Force (T-AO, T-AKE), MCM, PCs, etc.
• Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Makeup
– CVN + embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW)
– Guided-missile Cruiser (CG)
– Destroyers (DDG)
– Attack Submarine (SSN)
– Oiler / logistic support.
• Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) Makeup
– LHD/LHA (Big-deck amphibs)
– LPD/LSD with LCAC/LCU
– DDG, CG, SSN, Fleet Tanker
– Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) embarked.
• Missions & Enabling Systems
– CG/DDG: AAW, BMD, SUW, Strike; SPY-1/SPY-6 radars, Aegis, VLS, ESSM/SM/TLAM.
– LCS: Mine warfare, SUW, ASW; 57 mm, RAM, mission modules.
– SSN: ASW/ASuW/ISR/Strike; Mk 48, TLAM, VLS.

Aircraft

• Designations (selected)
– F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Hawkeye, MH-60R/S Seahawk, P-8A Poseidon, CMV-22B Osprey, MQ-25 Stingray, RQ-4 BAMS-D.
• CVW Missions
– F/A-18 ⇒ fleet air defense, strike.
– EA-18G ⇒ electronic attack.
– E-2D ⇒ AEW, C2.
– MH-60R ⇒ ASW/SuW; MH-60S ⇒ logistics/SAR/NSW.
– Embarked on CVN (fixed-wing) or CG/DDG/LHD (helos).
• ACE (Amphib) Missions
– MV-22B ⇒ assault support; AH-1Z ⇒ CAS; UH-1Y ⇒ utility; CH-53E/K ⇒ heavy-lift; embarked on LHD/LHA.
• Land-based Aviation Missions
– Maritime patrol (P-8), strategic ISR (EP-3, MQ-4C), logistics (C-130), BMD cueing (Army TPY-2).
• UAV Missions
– ISR, comms relay, strike (MQ-9 SeaGuardian w/ Hellfire), EM spectrum sensing.
• Enabling Weapons/Sensors
– APY-9 radar (E-2D), ALQ-218 (EA-18G), MAD, sonobuoys, Link-16.

Radio Telephone (R/T) Procedures

• Basic Transmission Process
– Listen ⇒ key mic ⇒ say call-sign of station called then own call-sign ⇒ proword(s) ⇒ message ⇒ over.
• Net Types
– Directed, Free, Secure (ciphered), Unsecure (plain).
• Communications Watches
– Guard (transmit/receive), Cover (receive only, ready to Tx), Copy (record traffic for others), Listen monitor.
• Beadwindow
– Real-time procedure to stop disclosure of EEFI; reply “Roger, Out.”

Electromagnetic Warfare (EW)

• EW Objectives
– Exploit, Protect, and manage the EM spectrum to assure mission success and deny adversary use.
• EW Branches
– Electronic Attack (EA), Electronic Protection (EP), Electronic Support (ES).
• System Characteristics & Capabilities
– Frequency range, bandwidth, ERP, sensitivity (dB), agility, processing speed, re-programmability.
• Military Deception (MILDEC) Purpose
– To mislead adversary decision-makers; integrates with OPSEC, PSYOPS.
• Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
– Sources: co-site radars, power lines, atmospheric noise.
– Prevention: spectrum management, filtering, grounding, separation.

Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) & Tactical Data Links

• IFF Modes/Codes
– Mode 1–2 (military); Mode 3/A (civil); Mode 4/5 (encrypted friend); Mode C (altitude); Mode S (selective). Provides positive ID, altitude, national origin.
• NTDS / CDS
– Real-time sensor fusion and weapon control backbone aboard CG/DDG/CVN.
• Link-11
– Components: Data Terminal Set, Crypto, HF/UHF radios, antenna.
– Station Modes: Net Control Station (NCS), Participating Unit (PU).
• Link-16
– Components: Multifunctional Information Distribution System (JTIDS/MIDS), crypto, antennas (UHF L-band).
• GCCS-M
– Common operating picture for strategic/operational C2 users afloat.

Surface Warfare (SUW)

• Command Roles
– CWC (overall), Sea Combat Commander (SCC), SUWC ("S/T"), Screen Commander, SAG Commander, AREC, CTPM.
• Weapon Engagement Zones
– Inner Screen, Threat Axis, Naval Gunfire Support Zone, Missile Engagement Zone (MEZ); draw proportionally by distance rings on board.
• Coordinated Surface Ops
– Surface ships + MPA/helos share OTH targeting (TACREP); cue weapons; maintain EMCON.
• Over-the-Horizon Targeting (OTH-T) Factors
– Sensor platforms (UAV, P-8, MH-60R), comms links, timeliness, EMCON level, Recognized Maritime Picture (RMP).
• Threats
– FIAC, FAC(M), cruise missiles, SSK, mines, coastal artillery.
• SUW Kill Chain
– Find ⇒ Fix ⇒ Track ⇒ Target ⇒ Engage ⇒ Assess.

Air Warfare / Air Defense (AD)

• AD Battlespace Elements
– Vital Area, CIEA (Classification, ID, Engagement Area), Surveillance Area; 3-D rings around HVU.
• Unit Roles
– Air Control Unit (ACU), Shotgun, Picket, Launch Platform, Sensor Outpost.
• Coverage Types
– Point Defense (DDG, LCS w/ ESSM), Self Defense, Area Defense (CG/DDG Aegis/SM-6), Theater Defense (BMD DDG).
• Threat Warnings / Weapon Control Status
– Warning White/Yellow/Red; WCS Free/Tight/Safe affect trigger authority.

Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD)

• Mission
– Detect, track, and engage BM to protect territory, forces, allies.
• Cruise vs Ballistic Missiles
– Cruise: aerodynamic, low altitude, constant thrust.
– Ballistic: rocket boost then unpowered ballistic trajectory, exo-atmospheric.
• Mission Planner Inputs
– Launch Area, Impact Area, Threat Type, Sensor Corridors, Engagement Sequence Groups.
• Navy BMD Benefits
– Mobility, persistent sea-based sensors/shooters, cost-effective complement to land systems.
• Phases of Ballistic Flight
– Boost, Midcourse (exo-atmospheric), Terminal (re-entry).

Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)

• Terminology
– Datum, Focal Point, TDA, Torpedo Danger Zone, Probability of Detection.
• Speed of Sound Factors
– Temperature, salinity, pressure (depth).
• Sound Propagation Paths
– Direct, Surface Duct, Convergence Zone, SOFAR Channel, Bottom Bounce.
• ASW Battlespace
– Water Space Management (WSM), Sea Control Box, Torpedo Evasion Zones, Launch Exclusion Zones.
• Assets
– CG/DDG (SQQ-89, VLA), SSN (sub-on-sub), MH-60R, P-8A, SURTASS, UUVs. Capabilities/limits: speed, persistence, sensor coverage.
• Active vs Passive SONAR
– Active: precise range/bearing, but counter-detectable; Passive: covert, long range, but bearing-only.

Expeditionary Warfare

• MAGTF Elements
– Command Element (CE), Ground Combat Element (GCE), Aviation Combat Element (ACE), Logistics Combat Element (LCE).
• MAGTF Types
– MEF (Marine Expeditionary Force), MEB, MEU, SPMAGTF.
• Key Commanders
– CATF (Navy), CLF (Marine), CCO, PCO, SCO manage amphibious assault lanes.
• Amphibious Operations
– Types: Demonstration, Raid, Assault, Withdrawal.
– Phases: Planning, Embarkation, Rehearsal, Movement, Action.
• Ship-to-Shore (STS) Elements
– Lanes, Lines of Departure, Boat Lane, Wave Formation, Aerial Cav Corridor, etc.

Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS)

• Capabilities
– Mobility, high ROF, ordnance variety, computerized GFCS, at-sea ammo replenishment, prolonged support.
• Limitations
– Susceptibility to counter-fire, limited against hardened targets, range dispersion, hydro/weather, finite magazines, comms dependence.
• TLAM Variants & Characteristics
– Block IV (TLAM-E): GPS/INS+TERCOM+DSMAC; in-flight retasking via two-way SATCOM; unitary warhead.
• Condition II Strike Team
– Engagement Manager, Database Manager, Orbital Analyst, Missile Techs, Bridge Liaison; prep VLS, review GEOREF, confirm launch enable.
• TLAM Tasking Orders
– Launch Execute Message (LEM), Tomahawk Mission Data Update (TMDU), Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) request, etc.