Fleet Design RADM Kenny Floyd Current Strategy Forum

1 Considerations Defense Strategy Be ready for high-end, but recognize most days we interact on low-end Challenging to predict the future Will never have enough force structure to meet all demand

1 st Generation – Move from unguided to guided weapons warfare -Carrier-based nuclear strikes against Soviet homeland / rise in submarine threat -Develop new guided system / upgrade existing systems -Data Links -Experimented with “Escort Destroyers” - Too small for combat systems & weapons for guided munitions 2 nd Generation – Concerted shift to guided systems -Radars / SAMs / ASW Systems / NTDS -Fleet Design evolves to a “hi-lo” mix -Ships designed keel up for guided systems & size driven by large, bow mounted sonar 2 Approaches to Fleet Design

3 rd Generation – Guided weapons warfare against the Soviet Navy -ASCM attacks / Submarines -All combat systems & weapons guidance now digital -More & better SAMs / Vertical Launch System -Harpoon / Tomahawk / Sonar / “Tails” / Gas Turbines -Smallest acceptable Helo capable FFG 4 th Generation – Land attack & battle network comm & data exchange -Halt of armored invasions and connect to joint battle network -New AAW sensor (SPY) / Improved battle networking / GPS / INS weapons -Attempt to standardize / 116 CGs / DDGs / DD21s 3 Approaches to Fleet Design A “hi-hi” mix!

4 Fifth generation fleet design (2001- ?) is all about building a “Total Force Battle Network” Key design principles: –Optimize the network, not the platform o “All platforms sensors; all sensors netted; all relevant information available to the warfighter” o Sensors and payloads take precedence over platforms –Build energy-efficient platforms with: o Smaller crews (automation) o Open architecture combat systems for rapid capability upgrades o Reconfigurable, modular payloads or mission bays for flexibility o Air and surface interfaces –Develop network-enabled weapons –Field multiple manned and unmanned “second-stage” (off-board) systems o Helos + UAVs o USVs + RHIBs + Boats o UUVs UUVs USVs UAVs RHIBs Modular missile batteries (VLS) Helos PBs Modular platforms

5 The Gen 5 surface force reflects the shift to a Total Force Battle Network Key operational problems: –Maintain cost-effective global forward presence –Defeat multi-dimensional A2/AD networks –Ballistic missile defense All surface combatants with open architecture combat systems, modular payloads, data links, air and/or sea interfaces Gen 5 reintroduces a hi-lo mix: –Large multi-mission battle network combatants with high capacity missile batteries for high-end combat missions o Modular missile batteries –Small multi-role battle network combatants for low-end missions o Modular mission packages All battle force ships to be self-deployable –Including mine warfare vessels ~ 90 Large Battle Network Combatants ~ 55 Small Battle Network Combatants

6 The Littoral Combat Ship reintroduces the small combatant in battle force design Designed from the keel up a Total Force Battle Network platform A small multi-role vessel that: − Focuses on traditional small combatant missions − Complements large battle network combatants, freeing them up for more demanding duties − Replaces multiple ship classes, including mine warfare vessels (FFs, PCs, and MCMs) Designed with reconfigurable modular payloads emphasizing second stage systems –Manned systems (e.g., RHIBs and Helos) –Unmanned systems (UUVs, USVs, UAVs) Two R&D platforms in service − Aircraft development model − As a result, we know more about these first of class ships than any other Developing mission packages in parallel Flexible growth potential Counter-FACCounter-mineCounter-sub

7 The LCS fits within a Total Force Battle Network that places a premium on flexible, adaptable platforms SmallMediumLargeX- LargeXX- Large Multi-roleMulti-role/multi-mission Multi-mission With open architecture combat systems and ability to employ multiple “second stage “ systems, Gen 5 design is well suited for a “strategy of the second move”

8 Summary The surface combatant force is designed to operate as part of a broader Total Force Battle Network. Conceptually, the force is divided into a hi-lo mix consisting of: –Multi-mission Large Battle Network Combatants with modular missile batteries; and –Multi-role Small Battle Network Combatants with reconfigurable modular combat payloads The Littoral Combat Ship fills the role as the TFBN’s multi-role Small Battle Network Combatant –Two modular platforms are designed to perform all the duties traditionally assigned to small combatants The LCS is a unique, first-of-a-kind system, with no direct counterpart in any past US fleet, or any foreign navy –It is not a frigate; it is not a gunboat –It is a flexible platform designed from the keel up to operate in a Total Force Battle Network

9 The LCS is best thought of as a multipurpose Gen 5 utility platform designed to perform a variety of traditional small combatant duties Since 1889, small combatants have excelled in ten broad battle force missions: − Maritime patrol and security (maritime domain awareness) − Battle Force Scouting − High value screening (from small combatant and submarine attack) − Protection of shipping (primarily ASW) − Offensive coastal interdiction (anti- surface warfare) − Close-in fire support − Mine warfare − Amphibious/sea base support − Riverine warfare − Support to naval special warfare Torpedo boat (FAC/FIAC) destroyer Destroyer escort Destroyer minesweeper PC PG OPV Two hulls to do it all!