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The three classes of modern tactical air-to-
surface weapons are standoff outside area defense
(SOAD), standoff outside point defense (SOPD),
and close-in (CI) weapons. The range at which
each specific weapon can be used most efficiently
determines its classification. We can assume that
the longer a weapon’s range, the “smarter” it has
to be; the “smarter” it is, the more expensive
(and more accurate) it becomes. Therefore, strike
planners must efficiently plan how to employ their
weapons supplies to avoid running out of them
before they can win the war!
Since weapons have become more and more
expensive, those responsible for purchasing them
have made a recent effort to make more efficient
purchases. Classifying weapons as mentioned
in the previous paragraph is one way they
accomplish that because it reduces the number of
different types available. In addition, it makes
everyone’s job easier because fewer types of
weapons must be stored aboard ship and loaded
aboard aircraft.
While planning a strike against enemy forces,
battle group commanders must remember to plan
for the defense of their own ships. The air defense
of a carrier battle group is formidable, built on
a “defense-in-depth” philosophy. Fighter aircraft
carrying air-to-air weapons serve as the carrier air
wing’s contribution to fleet air defense. Tanker
aircraft from the air wing refuel the fighters.
The fighters, coordinated by ship or airborne
controllers, will either be airborne or on the
carrier’s catapults ready for an immediate launch,
depending on the tactical situation.
SURFACE ACTION GROUPS (SAG’S)
The operation orders of a task force or group
commanders provide for surface action groups
(SAGs) that can perform certain missions. These
missions include antisubmarine warfare (ASW),
antisurface warfare (ASUW), and strike warfare,
to name a few. A battle plan is prepared for these
forces on the assumption that they will encounter
surface action. However, such a force is usually
only one element of a coordinated strike by both
air, subsurface, and surface units.
Surface action in the modern Navy means
much more than exchange of naval gunfire. The
introduction of antiship cruise missiles, such as
the Harpoon and the Tomahawk antiship missile
(TASM), has revolutionized war at sea.
A coordinated strike against an enemy SAG
may well include surface-, sub-, and air-launched
Harpoon missiles; surface- and sub-launched
TASMS; and air-launched ordnance. Forces may
require the use of one or more of these weapons
systems in addition to traditional naval gunfire
to sink disabled enemy hulks. A coordinated air
and cruise-missile strike may surprise an enemy
SAG so much that it may cause one of two results.
First, the surface action may become a pursuit of
disorganized enemy forces. Second, the strike may
slow enemy forces so that they cannot bring their
own surface missile systems to bear upon the
carrier or other essential units in the battle
group.
Special situations may require SAGs to destroy
isolated or crippled enemy surface units, execute
a deep land strike,
conduct naval gunfire
shore bombardment,
and perform surface
reconnaissance missions. Today’s modern surface
force can take on all these missions with or
without accompanying tactical air support.
The deployment of Tomahawk land attack
missiles (TLAMs) has turned both surface ships
and submarines into potent strike platforms.
These strike platforms can be widely dispersed
throughout the battle group.
The ability to conduct covert strikes from
submarines brings a new dimension to naval
warfare. Future development will bring land
attack cruise missiles with even longer attack
ranges. We need these missiles to further disperse
surface forces and still conduct strike warfare
while minimizing the involvement of the carrier
air wing.
FIRE SUPPORT
Although often considered a phase of
amphibious operations, surface forces may be
called upon to provide gunfire support for
troops ashore. During World War II that was
accomplished primarily by a force of battleships,
cruisers, and destroyers. These forces spent hours,
and even days, bombarding the enemy ashore to
try to destroy as many fortifications as possible
before troops hit the beaches. After the landings,
ships provided support as tactical circumstances
dictated. Since the enemy showed less opposition
to landings during the Korean and Vietnam wars,
forces mainly provided fire support in response
to tactical circumstances,
As you may recall, USS New Jersey, along
with other surface ships, took part in fire-support
missions in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1983.
ANTIAIR WARFARE
Antiair warfare (AAW) includes all measures
designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of
attack by hostile aircraft or guided missiles.
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