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In addition to these combat system improve-
ments, on-board training devices are installed to
support combat information center (CIC) team
training exercises. The ASMD program furthers
the improvements provided by the ship’s anti-
missile integrated defense (SAMID) immediate
program by expanding ship capabilities to counter
antiship missile threats. The ASMD program
integrates additional subsystems into the combat
system. It makes use of expanded tactical data
processing techniques by providing a fully
automatic method of responding to particular
antiship missile threats.
The gun weapons system supports that element
of the ship’s mission requiring offensive operation
against air, surface, and shore targets. It provides
this support through its ability to destroy these
types of targets at ranges within the minimum-
range capability of the guided-missile systems.
As in other types of warfare, successful AAW
operations must be based in part on lessons
learned through costly experience and must be
practiced continually.
ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE
The basic elements of the Navy’s antisub-
marine warfare (ASW) forces include surface
ships, aircraft, and submarines. The integrated
undersea surveillance system (IUSS) is also an
integral part of our ASW system. This system cues
our engagement forces to respond quickly to ASW
tactical areas. These elements are capable of
operating independently or with each other.
The basic mission of antisubmarine warfare is
to deny the enemy the effective use of sub-
marines. We must go beyond what we have
learned in the past by developing new techniques
to match the expanding role of the submarine. The
long-range nuclear-missile capability of today’s
submarines requires that we do more than prevent
submarine torpedo attacks on our shipping and
naval vessels. Instead, we must find and keep
under surveillance all enemy submarines before
they can reach a point within missile-launching
range of our coasts.
SURFACE UNITS
The surface ship has a greater variety of both
detection equipment and weapons than any other
ASW unit. A prime advantage of the surface ship
is its ability to conduct all-weather operations and
to remain on station for a comparatively long time.
Our most effective ASW surface ships today are
frigates, destroyers, and cruisers equipped with
SH-60B LAMPS helicopters (fig. 12-4).
109.17
Figure 12-4.-An SH-60B Seahawk helicopter in flight near the stern of a guided-missile frigate.
12-13
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