Future Navy

Great Satan plots her advanced Naval Chicanery Enablers (Material)!

The importance of the Asia-Pacific is a major focus in the Navy’s upcoming strategy. Much of U.S. and global shipping passes through this region—especially oil. And many of America’s trading partners are also located here, and that U.S. treaties with many allies are predicated on a strong Asia-Pacific presence.

U.S. naval presence will be increased in Asia through forward deployment. 60 percent of Naval forces will be rebalanced to the region by 2020 (from a roughly 50/50 split currently). Much of the fleet will be “homeported” in the Pacific, to areas such as Guam and Singapore, where many ships are currently ported on a rotating basis.

With China’s expanding Navy and its technological advancements, some have worried that the U.S. might not be doing enough to keep up. In addition, there are concerns that sequestration could further limit the Navy’s presence. While sequestration could likely mean finances will need to be reallocated, currently the Navy is still on plan for shipbuilding through 2025.

Under the current budget, the objective is to have 308 ships by 2020 and 317 ships by 2025. However, if the Navy is forced to reallocate funds. Navy’s shipbuilding account would be most affected. It is likely that one or two shipbuilders—out of the U.S. Navy’s five remaining—would be shut down. This would also affect mid-grade venders that manufacture valves and circuits necessary for ships and especially important for nuclear ships.

Advances in weapon technology must also be assessed in the Navy’s strategic outlook. Greenert spoke about directed energy and the Navy’s Laser Weapon System (LaWS), which will be tested again in just a few days. This could be a major advancement in weapons technology and Navy combat strategy if they are able to increase the amount of energy that LaWS can power.

Money shot:

1)      Assess areas in which Navy has opposed access.
2)      Determine whether the necessary action is “kinetic” or “non-kinetic.”
3)      Consider options for the Navy to achieve access (undersea,  sea-surface,  air, or perhaps in combination).

Pic - "If China starts off as the stronger antagonist, then, why wouldn’t she take the swiftest and surest route to success?"