Page 32 - Maritime Services and the Kill Web

The Maritime Services, the Allies and Shaping the Kill Web

Additionally, we need to have mission orders in place so that our fleet can operate effectively even when
networks are disrupted during combat; able to operate in a modular-force approach with decisions being
made at the right level of operations for combat success.

Question: When you were in Australia, you highlighted that the Australians and British, who were
participating with you in the Williams Foundation Conference, were on the same page with regard to the
way ahead.

How important is that for the US Navy and Marine Corps team?

Rear Admiral Manazir: Crucial.

In effect, when we can operate together in this new environment and work from the same page, we can
support core allies or allies can support us in the battlespace.

We can function as each other’s wingman.
We are moving from a platform-centric mindset to a capability-centric mindset.

For instance, when we talk about the F-35 we are focused not simply on the platform but how that F-35
empowers and fits into the distributed networks or kill webs.

It is the outcome and effect we are focused on.

If we’re going to fight next to each other, the force (as an evolving distributed capability) has to understand
how to employ their weapons systems, including how to best leverage the F-35, rather than just relying on the
pilot that is flying the F-35 understanding what it can do.

Question: There clearly is a challenge between the force and technology moving into a distributed
direction and historical legacies of slow moving hierarchical decision making.

How would you describe this challenge?
Rear Admiral Manazir: The rules of engagement (ROE) need to keep up with the technology.

An F-35 is going to have electronic means that can affect somebody a long way away.

We didn’t have those electronic means before, and so the ROE should be able to allow us to employ weapons
based on the technology that we have.

To keep up with technology is a key point, but it goes all the way back to when the bad guys are successful
snipping parts of the network, you need to have mission orders that are effective and I am confident we are
training with that in mind.

Question: Recently, you made a speech on directed energy and discussed the way ahead for the US
Navy in this very promising area.

What is your perspective?
Rear Admiral Manazir: Any vehicle which can be a source of space, weight, power and cooling, with enough
capability to generate and hold the power needed to employ directed energy weapons can be a useful
platform for directed energy in the future fight.

Second Line of Defense

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