The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) is conducting broad studies projecting to the year 2025 to frame issues vital to the Army’s development after 2010.

Studies and war games show that the Army’s present firepower-centered approach may introduce unnecessary future risk, since a future enemy will have time to

(a) become hardened to our firepower
(b) learn to lessen effects by deception
(c)husband its military strength in preparation for the expected military assault.

A recent example is Iraq’s dispersal and hoarding of Scuds during DESERT STORM. Pre-STORM estimates
indicated Iraq possessed only 18 launchers; however,
the estimates were later increased to 225. Even
though Iraq’s Scuds were more of a political rather than
a military threat, a significant percentage of F-15E
sorties were diverted from infrastructure strikes to “Scud chasing”.

As we tighten our USAF purse strings and shrink the force, battlefield economics will not allow the Army After
Next (AAN) such diversions. Future conflicts will place greater emphasis on rapid deployment, reduced logistic requirements, precise directed lethality, joint battlefield
integration, and rapid information distribution. HSS is a futuristic concept that may provide a means to meet such an end, but several things must fall into place to realize its potential.




Mr. M

First, the military must partner with commercial industry to leverage state-of-the art technology, such as HSS, for military use to meet these aggressive demands. To
achieve rapid strategic deployment, the Department of Defense continues to investigate several commercial HSS application vessels for possible future military deployment.


For example, the Danish high speed ferry Cat-Link V set an Atlantic crossing speed record on 20 July 1998 of two days, 20 hours and nine minutes at an average speed of
40 knots, the first Atlantic crossing in under three days.


HSS technology is an expanding market that is gaining visibility and popularity in the United States.
Our ultimate objective is to determine whether existing and emerging HSS technologies have a viable military application that can solve future strategic mobility and logistic problems.


Mr. M

[Edited on 7-4-2004 by StarChild]

The purpose of this evaluation, the first of many planned evaluations, was to evaluate whether existing HSS technology has potential for present and future military applications. Based on our personal CAT observations and instrumentation analysis,
we concluded:

1. The vessel can be used as a viable intratheater tactical marine transport.
2. Stronger decks and larger tiedown provisions would be needed to secure larger military vehicles and equipment.
3. A redesign in deck heights would be desirable as well. Available deck height on the majority of the vehicle decks was only 77-84 inches.
4. Currently there are no ISO sockets on the ship. ISO sockets and electrical outlets (for ISO containers) would be desirable.
5. The vessel would require an integral loading ramp for unimproved ports or in-stream LOTS operations.
The CAT clearly demonstrated the future potential of HSS, and it could lead to bigger and better things if expanded.

By using composite materials, new drag-reducing hull forms, digital controls, and improved engines with increased fuel efficiency, it may be possible to build a high speed strategic sealift vessel capable of transporting vehicles and materiel at speed in
excess of 60 knots up to Sea State 7. If such a vessel included a troop berthing area, the reduced transit time could be used for preparation, training, and vehicle
maintenance. Complete force packages could be delivered directly to the theater, reducing reception, staging, onward movement, and integration (RSOI) requirements.

This would dramatically reduce the time required to transport troops and equipment
from “fort to foxhole”.


Mr. M

[Edited on 7-4-2004 by StarChild]